Packers AJ Dillon with ‘right mindset’ heading into crucial season
By Paul Bretl
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, 2023 will be an important season for AJ Dillon, not only for that reason but also because this young Green Bay Packers offense needs him to be productive.
"“I think every year, not to discount Year 4 or contract years or anything like that, but I think every year is important in this league,” said Matt LaFleur on Wednesday. “You can never take anything for granted, you just never know what is going to happen.”"
Between his 2020 and 2021 seasons, Dillon averaged 4.5 yards per rush. This past year, however, that average plummeted to just 4.1 yards. In only eight of the 17 games would Dillon average over 4.0 yards per attempt. Despite having nearly the same amount of carries as in 2021, Dillon forced eight fewer tackles, and he went from ranking seventh in average yards after contact to 20th, according to PFF.
As a pass catcher, Dillon hauled in 92% of his 37 targets in 2021 to just 65% of his 34 targets last season. His average yards per catch dropped from 9.2 to 7.4, and PFF credited him with five dropped passes–the second-most on the team.
Perhaps more so than Aaron Jones, who has the ability to create opportunities for himself more easily, Dillon was affected by the constant movement along the offensive line through the first 10 weeks of the season. Dealing with numerous injuries up until that point, the offensive line play was up and down in both pass protection and in the run game—fewer running lanes means fewer opportunities for a power runner. Three of Dillon’s most efficient and productive performances in 2022 would come once there was continuity up front.
By Dillon’s own admission, he also has to be better at shedding tacklers who are going low. Listed at 247 pounds, trying to bring Dillon down at the ankles is going to be the best way for opponents to slow him – trying to tackle him high will often end poorly for the defender – especially if the tape shows that this approach works.
"“If people are going to tackle me low most of the time,” said Dillon to a fan on Twitter, “I’ve got to work on coming out of those. Knee drive and other techniques have been a huge focus for me this off-season and something I’m hoping on translating into this year on the field. I’m constantly growing and evolving as a player, one thing I can guarantee is as long as I play I won’t ever get complacent or satisfied with good enough. There is always room for improvement and things to work on.”"
Having a successful run game to lean on is always going to help any offense, but for this version of the Green Bay Packers, it is a must. With an inexperienced quarterback and skill position players, a lack of early down success will put Jordan Love into difficult third and long situations. Too many of those, and there are going to be a lot of punts.
An ineffective run game could also mean fewer defenders around the line of scrimmage, making moving the ball through the air more difficult, and it could lead to Green Bay becoming one-dimensional and predictable–again, not a recipe for success with a young quarterback. With Love at quarterback, we may see a more pure version of the LaFleur offense, meaning a more balanced run-pass mix, which also puts an added emphasis on the run game.
It’s only June 1st, and the pads aren’t even on yet, but Dillon looks spry and light on his feet with the ball in his hands during OTAs. Now considered one of the veterans within this offense, given his experience, Dillon is going to have to provide stability through reliability, and his role could expand. If the Packers can’t find regular success on the ground this season, then the offense as a whole is going to have a challenging time moving the ball with any consistency.
"“I do think he’s had the right mindset,” added LaFleur, “and attacked it the right way. He’s done a great job on his reps, but also we’re practicing in shorts and t-shits, so there’s not full contact, but that’s part of his game as well. I think he does a really great job with lowering his pads and being able to inflict some pain on the opposition.”"