Packers Loading Up on Running Backs
A ton of competition is brewing in the Packers backfield. In just the last week they have brought in Corey Grant and Darrin Hall to bring their total to six running backs for training camp. Clearly, the coaching staff wants to have a well-rounded group with perhaps the goal of keeping the top three or four guys.
Aaron Jones probably doesn’t have much to worry about in terms of being the number one back. In two years, he’s shown he can be a dynamic playmaker with star potential. Jones has had injury concerns so staying healthy is really his only question mark to this point.
Aaron Rodgers spoke highly of Jones following the first training camp practice, specifically mention his abilities as a receiver. Also judging by his comments, Rodgers believes Jones and Jamaal Williams will remain the team’s top duo.
“He has great hands,” said Rodgers of Jones. “He does so many things in the screen game, he’s a slashing type running back, he’s just a talented guy. I think we all feel great about him and Jamaal. That’s the one-two punch you’re looking for. We need somebody else to step up behind those guys.”
Well, there are plenty of candidates.
In April, the team drafted Dexter Williams in the sixth round. The original belief was the Notre Dame product was brought in to push the other Williams but they have continued to add more backs. Williams was considered a good fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense given his familiarity with a zone running scheme.
Then on Friday the Packers signed Grant out of free agency. The team sold Grant on the idea of rejoining his old coach Nathaniel Hackett who is now the offensive coordinator in Green Bay. Grant is an explosive back with true home run speed. He ran a 4.28 40 at his pro day. Grant also has experience as a kick returner and could to compete for those duties as well. Anything, to stick on an NFL roster.
The very next day the Packers claimed Hall who was a recent camp casualty from the Cincinnati Bengals. He went undrafted in this year’s draft but is a primary candidate for backup duties. Hall is a strong back who put up an exceptional 27 bench press reps during his pro day.
Green Bay is loaded up on power with four of their six camp runners fitting the “power back” mold. This includes Tra Carson who spent much of last season on the practice squad. Meanwhile, Jones and Grant will bring the shiftiness and likely more of a receiving prowess out of the backfield.
Overall, this is an extremely versatile group for the Packers.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (23)
Lare
July 28, 2019 at 01:14 pm
Don't know much about the recent signees but If the Packers are going to run the ball as much as everyone is predicting, they need to have a good workhorse back or a platoon of RBs that can stay healthy, hold onto the ball, catch the ball and block.
With Williams already injured I could see them signing Riddick or someone else to help bolster the RB corps.
Pulpfriction01
July 28, 2019 at 01:20 pm
My surprise cut is Jamaal Williams
IceBowl
July 28, 2019 at 02:13 pm
Branden Burke,
I think there are very few guarantees, but Jamaal is too darn dependable. No fumbles. All the others are ? marks.
So it would be a BIG surprise.
Coldworld
July 28, 2019 at 02:18 pm
The back signed yesterday is rather similar to Williams, so I don’t think it’s indicative of them not wanting that kind of back. Hopefully it indicates a desire to practice plays for power backs as well as Jones/Dexter/Grant types.
jannesbjornson
July 28, 2019 at 06:40 pm
See if Dexter Williams can pick up the pro game. Pre-season games should be an open competition for the # 3 running back.
Pulpfriction01
July 28, 2019 at 10:31 pm
He has a career average of 3.7 ypc so far across 2 seasons with 274 caries to his name. we have a pretty good idea of what he is. That's horrendous. League average hovers around 4.2 to 4.3 ypc. It's great that he is relatively healthy. He doesn't help the team win.
Phillip Lindsay was one of those undrafted question marks last year and he went to the pro bowl while averaging 5.4 ypc. Would much rather roll the dice on somebody that has potential than somebody who could be replaced by a fullback and would have the same stats.
Of the top 7 most productive running backs last year with at least 100 caries, 4 were undrafted and the top guy was 5th Rd pick Aaron Jones. They all averaged 5.2 ypc or higher. Jamaal can go.
MWendlandt
July 29, 2019 at 02:51 pm
He doesn't fumble, has been dependable, is a great blocker, has good hands and is a receiving threat. He's the guy you want on third and two to run behind Vitale. He never gets driven down on first contact, and that kind of back there will always be room for.
jeremyjjbrown
July 28, 2019 at 05:38 pm
That would be a big surprise. He's by far the best pass blocker of the group. It's a pretty important skill.
Pulpfriction01
July 28, 2019 at 10:32 pm
You don't really know that. Because the only one in the group you have seen before is Aaron Jones.
JonathanSpader
July 28, 2019 at 10:44 pm
Pretty educated guess considering pass blocking usually isn't emphasized at the college level. As I said before who cares? This is MLF's offense not MM. Gute has been remaking Ted's roster with faster more athletic guys. Let the best man win! Using Linsley as an example isn't great it's an outlier like Corey Clement for the Eagles. Sometimes you get lucky but generally drafted guys are drafted for a reason and undrafted ones aren't for a reason.
Pulpfriction01
July 28, 2019 at 10:49 pm
It's not an outlier when again, 4 of the top 7 running backs per handoff with a minimum of 100 caries were young undrafted players. Williams is just a guy. Your not getting any better by keeping him on the roster.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 29, 2019 at 12:26 am
The first direct comparison between Dexter Williams and Jamaal Williams came in Sunday's practice roundup tweets by our very own Andy Herman. But, Matt LaFleur had some comments on Dexter W. that give one pause.
Pulpfriction01
July 29, 2019 at 12:52 pm
That is what I like to see. Potential out of the running back position. You only have 5 skilled players on the field. I would like for them all to be weapons.
Leatherhead
July 28, 2019 at 02:08 pm
Williams isn’t going to be cut. He’s been our leading ball carrier the last two years and there’s no point in beating him up during training camp. We’re going to need him and Jones and at least one other healthy guy.
We need three gameday actives, one more on the 53, and at least one more on PS. Williams-Jones-Williams-Grant-Hall
Pulpfriction01
July 28, 2019 at 11:04 pm
The leading ball carrier just barely squeaked out 400 yards rushing while doing it as one of the most inefficient runners in the league. It speaks to how bad the Packers were, not how good he is.
We will see if this system fits him better. But so far he doesn't help the team win.
DeathByCheese
July 29, 2019 at 09:54 am
Ya, there was a point when Paul Ott Carruth was our leading ballcarrier too, How's that for "old school" ? Jamal Williams Is Daryl Thompson or Vince Workman.......When Edgar Bennet & Dorsey Levens showed up, they were both gone.
stockholder
July 28, 2019 at 02:12 pm
A little bit of everything. But not much of anything? So far it's been a Jack of all trades. I can't turn a knife into any of these guys. The Packers haven't stopped the injuries here. Discovering the right back for LeFleur's offense, could hurt keeping the right Wrs. I believe they are turning this position upside down. Holding onto the ball is priority one. But; I'd say the one who can energize this offense, will be the one they value. Pushing the fence and getting the short yards would be amazing. ( It's been difficult for to many years now. ) So while this position may look like a meat market. The beef is still the priority. Green Bay still needs the horses. Cramming it down their throats would be so cool.
buddrow53
July 28, 2019 at 02:48 pm
Imo its all about preseason games. shouldn't play Jones and Williams a lot, but find some more depth and keep the top two rbs healthy.
Plenty of plays for the second string plus.
ejr450
July 28, 2019 at 03:03 pm
Totally agree here. Same as the TEs. Need lots for preseason games / camp work. Can’t have Jones/Jamaal taking 10+ hits in each preseason game. Those guys have too much value for the season. I think they keep 4 RBs, counting Vitale, and MAYBE 5 if Grant has ST value. Yes, that’ll be at the expense of QB3 or WR7... but that’s ok.
Since'61
July 28, 2019 at 03:42 pm
First off we need RBs to get through TC and the preseason. For the season we’ll probably have 3 RBs, 1 FB and an RB on the PS.
Signing Riddick for the right price would immediately make the Packers backfield stronger regardless of J. Williams injury status. Thanks, Since ‘61
Samson
July 28, 2019 at 05:15 pm
If the Pack sign Riddick, he'll be part of the eventual 53. --- No way he signs with any team without a better than 90% of sticking. -- He's not a camp fodder type player.-- The Loins will miss him.
flackcatcher
July 28, 2019 at 07:18 pm
Just like Daniels, salary cut. Ones of those players teams think they don't need until, they need him. Ironic, both the Lions and the Packers suffer from the curse of the quarterback. At least MLF seems to understand the value of committing to the run game. Getting your QB1 to doing it, that's another story.
Samson
July 28, 2019 at 05:11 pm
GB hasn't even played a preseason game yet. The 90-man roster allows every NFL team to load up wherever they desire .... for awhile.
After the 3rd preseason game everyone will have a better idea where Gute/MLF are headed.... Now .... this is TC...only.