The Green Bay Packers have one of the best running backs in the league. Josh Jacobs is one of the few every-down type of guys, and he can be either a bruiser, a pass-blocker, or turn the corner with his speed, depending on what the situation asks for.
However, that type of versatility also wears him out. The Packers must make sure to have some fresh legs behind him, especially given that he's aging and dealt with some knee issues last season.
That's why, as April begins, the Packers might need to add someone else to the running back room, as their current RB2 candidates are far from reliable insurance plans.
Packers Can't Be Happy with Current RB Room
As things stand now, the Packers have Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong Jr. as Jacobs' backups. Brooks has never rushed for more than 200 yards, Lloyd has played one game in two seasons, and Strong is a journeyman with two career touchdowns in three years.
The Packers have always been high on Lloyd, who should be the primary backup, but his inability to stay healthy raises major doubts. They also lost Emanuel Wilson to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after the veteran RB accounted for a whopping 140 touches last season (125 carries, 15 receptions). Those opportunities have to go somewhere.
Unfortunately, the 2026 NFL draft class isn't particularly deep at running back. The Packers won't have a first-round selection, and with greater needs at cornerback, defensive end, guard, and tight end, they may want to use their draft capital to address those issues.
That said, teams can always find solid value at running back in the latter rounds of the NFL draft or even in the undrafted free agent pool.
Potential Options Are Already Available
The free-agent market offers some interesting potential choices for head coach Matt LaFleur's team. Proven veterans like Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, or Austin Ekeler should obviously be at the top of the wishlist. There are also lesser guys like Miles Sanders, Kareem Hunt, or even a speedster like Raheem Mostert who could help on a team-friendly contract.
Jacobs has logged at least 217 carries in every season he's been in the league, including 301 and 234 in his two years in Wisconsin. He can certainly handle huge workloads efficiently. That said, any team is only as good as the next man up, and it's hard to feel good about any of Green Bay's current options filling in for Jacobs should he miss time.
LaFleur wants a balanced offense, and the best way to establish the run is to have multiple guys who can give opposing defenses different looks. That's why the Packers would be wise to at least bring in another legitimate RB2 candidate before training camp, as sticking with the status quo would be asking for disaster.