Is there a need for a back-up Running Back in Green Bay?
In a day where most teams have a second running back to take the load off of the starting running back, it is crucial.
It is even more crucial for the Packers, who thrive on using the running game.
Last year Josh Jacobs took most of the load for the Packers run game.
Jacobs carried the ball 301 times, the sixth-most carries in franchise history.
Furthermore it was almost as many as Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined in 2023.
But in order to keep Jacobs fresh the Packers have struggled to find a change of pace back.
Pre-Season injuries
In 2024, the Packers came into training camp with what they thought was a deep back field.
A.J Dillion came back to the team after testing the free agent market.
The Packers also drafted MarShawn Lloyd in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Penciled in as the 3rd running back Emanuel Wilson was hoping to improve from the year before.
But injuries to both Dillon and Lloyd forced the Packers to make a makeshift running back room.
Wilson became the third down back, and the Packers signed Chris Brooks from the Dolphins.
While Lloyd tried to come back from his injury, both him and Dillon were put on injury reserve.
Do the Packers need to find another Running back?
Wilson filled in nicely as the primary running back behind Jacobs.
He played 263 snaps and carried 103 times for 502 yards and four touchdowns.
All of those stats were career highs.
But that does bring up the question if the Packers need to find another running back to spare Jacobs.
The answer is no, the Packers don’t need to find or draft another running back to be the back-up running back.
But Why Not?
The reasoning behind the Packers not needing to find another running back is simple.
They have Josh Jacobs, who has already shown he can be the workhorse back.
Wilson showed that he can be a capable back up.
Furthermore Chris Brooks showed he can be the third down back or the blocking back for the Packers.
With Lloyd coming back from injury as well, it will be an interesting battle for the third running back position.
For Dillon he may have a chance to make the team but if that is if the Packers decide to keep him.
Conclusion
The Packers made a big investment and it payed off with the signing of Josh Jacobs
With the development of Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks along with the potential of MarShawn Lloyd, the Packers have a evolving backfield.
They also have a young and hungry running back room, looking to help the team with the running game.
Come training camp it will be an interesting battle for the back-up running back and third running back positions.
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Hau Khuong has been a Packers fan since 1996. He currently works as a video editor in Green Bay and writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @HauKhuongSports.
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The post Offseason Outlook: The need for a back-up Running back? first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.