Cory's Corner: Plenty Of Choices At Running Back
With so much depth at the running back position, can Brian Gutekunst miss?
The 2025 NFL Draft might be the deepest running back class since 1994. The difference between a first round grade and a third grade is razor thin.
Of course you are probably saying, “We don’t need a running back. We are good at that position.” I feel like I heard something similar back in 2020 when the Packers traded up to take Jordan Love.
The Packers have four picks from the third round to the sixth round — the sweet spot for a solid running back. It could be the next fourth round star alongside Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom in 2022.
But there’s a huge question mark. What about MarShawn Lloyd? The Packers drafted him in the third round last year, but we don’t know much about him. In fact, we know zip about him because of injuries. He had hip and hamstring injuries in the summer and then he injured his ankle only six carries into the home opener in Week 2.
And that’s exactly why the Packers need to add depth. Josh Jacobs is a strong runner that craves contact. With the Eagles and Lions continually getting better, the Packers need to add depth to keep pace.
The NFL is a passing league, but the running back has never been more valuable. Six running backs had over 300 carries last year and there were nine running backs that tallied at least 300 touches last season, including Josh Jacobs’ 337.
Let’s face it, if the Packers are going to make a deep playoff run, it will be a result of how well the running back does. Now, in a passing age, that may seem a bit obtuse, but the running back is absolutely key for what Packers coach Matt LaFleur wants to accomplish on offense.
The Packers could have a decision between Miami’s speedy Damian Martinez, who ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The reason why that’s impressive is because he’s 6-f00t and weighs 217 pounds. He also is a very good pass catcher and we all know how much Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves versatility. The other guy that I really liked was Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo. The 5-foot-9, 219 pound running back had the fifth-best vertical jump among all players invited to Indianapolis. That’s amazing, but I was hooked when Skatteboo, who started his college career at unknown Sacramento State, put his Arizona State team on his back. The Sun Devils nearly pulled off the upset win over Texas before losing in double overtime in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
And the best thing about both of those is that they will be available in the fourth round and later. The Packers don’t have to go very high to get a player that will produce on offense.
That’s music to Gutekunst’s ears.
This incoming RB class is shaping up to potentially be one of the best we’ve seen#Canes RB Damien Martinez (6’0”, 232 lbs) is a big, bruising power back with some sneaky finesse to his game as well
: Here’s 2 and a half minutes of some of his best plays of the season https://t.co/6JWYsKoMpK pic.twitter.com/OEvW9j3o2a
— The Draft Room (@TheDraftRoomNFL) December 31, 2024
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (28)
stockholder
March 04, 2025 at 06:32 am
Gute will take a Rb just to use a pick.
All because Jones wasn't good enough.
I'll take Edwards
dobber
March 04, 2025 at 07:50 am
Whether it was Jones in the #1 RB spot or Jacobs, it wouldn't change anything.
As it stands, the Packers--given health--are going to be forced to cut a decent RB assuming they only carry 3: Brooks, Wilson, Lloyd. I don't know if any of those guys make it to the PS, although RBs are plentiful in the league.
I think they might take a late-round guy with the thought that he might impress, or that they could stow him on the PS. For sure they'll have a UDFA or two in camp that are PS fodder.
Coldworld
March 04, 2025 at 08:53 am
We effectively already have a RB pick held over from last year. Jacobs and Wilson are proven depth in the lead role and as his back up and our in season pick up as 3rd down/protector back seemed like a good one on top of our pick from last year.
We undoubtedly will add an RB or two to the 90. One could be a later pick but it wouldn’t surprise me if we picked none and just bring in UDFAs or an unheralded FA with a view to developing pass pro skills on the PS.
Absent injuries, no RB pick is likely to surpass the 3 we have held over in their roles behind Jacobs this year plus Lloyd. If we do draft one, I suspect it’s late enough that we believe we can get him to the PS if needed.
LLCHESTY
March 04, 2025 at 05:51 pm
I was watching Utah State vs USC to check out Jalen Royals and found their RB, Rahsul Faison, had some interesting traits if he's a UDFA. Looks slim but he's 200 lbs and shifty.
jannesbjornson
March 04, 2025 at 11:44 am
Jones was expendable, given his recent string of injuries and I would have moved him after the TWO fumbles. He could take two RBs from this group and hit gold. Quite a few of these guys could supplant Wilson and we don't know about Lloyd's recovery. He had the injuries at S.Carolina. Another guy not taken in Bucky Irving who would have matched Jones' skill set. Edwards, is he healed?
T7Steve
March 04, 2025 at 06:49 am
I think they always draft at least one RB per draft and pick up a couple more UDFAs just for camp bodies, don't they? Then all they have to do is show up in a preseason game like Wilson did, and they're set.
Really want to see more passing to the RBs this season. Wouldn't hurt to include the TEs a few more times too, especially when the WRs are having the dropsies.
dobber
March 04, 2025 at 07:54 am
I wish I'd read ahead to your comment.
Obviously agree.
RCPackerFan
March 04, 2025 at 09:53 am
Gutey has ran 7 drafts. Out of the 7 drafts he has drafted 5 RB's. He has used a 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 2-7th round draft picks on the RB position.
So he hasn't invested a lot into the position. But has taken some fliers.
I would not be surprised if he were to draft one in rounds 5 or later.
GregC
March 04, 2025 at 07:27 am
There is a big difference between QB and RB: It's good to draft a QB 2-3 years before you need one, so you can get him up to speed, but you don't need to do that with a running back. He's only going to take one year to get up to speed, and he might even be great as a rookie. So no, the Packers don't need to draft a running back. They are fine this year with Jacobs, Wilson, Brooks, and Lloyd. Lloyd might as well be a rookie anyway, for as little as he played last year.
Guam
March 04, 2025 at 07:47 am
Concur GregC. The Packers usually only keep three running backs on the roster and Jacobs, Wilson and Brooks all played well last year. Lloyd will be a quasi-rookie as the fourth running back. So why would the Packers spend a draft choice on a fifth RB when they have other needs?
dobber
March 04, 2025 at 07:53 am
As we've seen, the rate of attrition at RB is much higher, too. Jacobs making it through the season with only some dings at his usage rate is pretty remarkable. It's very possible one of those backs doesn't make it out of camp without an injury.
Guam
March 04, 2025 at 08:39 am
I wouldn't mind seeing the Packers pick up a free agent RB they could stash on the PS as an insurance policy.
dobber
March 04, 2025 at 08:47 am
Veterans stashed on the PS have become a pretty common thing.
BuckyBadger
March 04, 2025 at 09:17 am
It is pretty rare to get a QB and allow them to grow for 2 or 3 years. I know the Packers have done it but I would call that the exception over the rule. When you draft a QB (especially in the 1st round) you want them playing on that rookie contract.
jvole
March 04, 2025 at 07:32 am
IDK, from the clips you show Martinez runs very upright and doesn't look to play that fast. If those are the highlights, then I wonder what his everyday work looks like? His YPC is 6.3 so I guess that's good.
PackEyedOptimist
March 04, 2025 at 08:23 am
There have been quite a few RB prospects I’ve liked over the past few years. This year, one of them is Trevor Etienne. Something about him reminds me of a cross between Aaron Jones and Walter Payton. I’m not suggesting he’ll be as good as either of them, but he seems to have excellent vision and slipperiness, and hits harder than you expect, much like those two.
BuckyBadger
March 04, 2025 at 09:18 am
RB would rank around LB for positions the Packers need to draft for. If there is talent in the 5th or later rounds, sure take him but this team needs to address its pass rush and pass coverage long before they worry about the run game.
Leatherhead
March 04, 2025 at 09:36 am
Quarterback and backup....solid
Running back and backup....solid
I don't think the offensive backfield is going to see any change.
RCPackerFan
March 04, 2025 at 09:43 am
I don't foresee GB drafting a RB, but it wouldn't surprise me either.
Jacobs is a stud. He provided a spark to the offense. What they really do need though is great compliments.
I know they like Wilson and Brooks. Both are nice backs. They technically still have AJ Dillon on the roster, so we will have to see what happens there. But Wilson and Brooks are a little more similar to Jacobs.
I know they love Lloyd, but he just couldn't get past the injuries this year. And had horrible luck with the appendicitis. But he provides the speed element they really need. Hopefully he can come back in year 2 and be the player they were wanting him to be.
I view Wilson and Brooks as being more of a #3 types rather then #2's. And I view Lloyd as a #2 and future #1 if he can stay healthy.
If they were to look for a RB, I am hoping they look to add a speedier type. There were 14 guys that ran in the 4.4's or higher. I would definitely be looking at one of those guys.
T7Steve
March 04, 2025 at 10:01 am
Lloyd would be a great pass catcher, but it will depend on the O-line. With Love playing dinged up last season, they seemed to have to keep the backs AND the TEs in for extra protection. It would sure open everything up if we can secure the LOS with just 5 and maybe a chip most of the time.
Guam
March 04, 2025 at 10:21 am
Yes!!!!! Everything works if the O-line is good. Which is why the Packers need to acquire some additional OL help. They have five good ones but need seven for the season to insure against injury. Don't draft RBs, draft OL!
T7Steve
March 04, 2025 at 11:18 am
Not only backups, but we want them to push for starting spots and hopefully the "good" O-line will turn into one more dominant especially in the running game which will make it easier to mix the pass in. Some of last season's picks will hopefully take a jump this year along with what the draft class brings. Going to have to pay some of these guys next season and hopefully they can get early extensions. How long do they have to wait to extend rookie contracts? Can they extend non-1st rounders in their 3rd or do they have to wait till it's over?
Please don't look back and count all the times I had to use "hopefully".
Guam
March 04, 2025 at 11:26 am
You've hit on one of my concerns. With Tom, Walker and Rhyan all up for new contracts in 2026 the Packers may have a problem resigning all three. Gute needs to get some quality depth established this season so they can step into a starting role in 2026 if the Packers don't resign one or more of the would-be free agents.
dobber
March 04, 2025 at 12:45 pm
They won't resign all three--they can't. At least one if not two of those three are going to walk.
T7Steve
March 04, 2025 at 01:15 pm
That's why I was hoping they could extend some early, but don't know when they can extend on rookie contracts. I had heard on ESPN or somewhere, that that is how the Eagles were/are able to retain most of their vets because they extend them before a contract year and that also ends up less expensive.
I know the Packers have done it with Clark and Jenkins, but I don't know if they do it enough or if the guys they don't (like Runyan) are better off down the road. In hindsight it would have been nice to have him or Nijman on the bench during the playoffs. They spent a long time on those two to let them walk but thought they could get by on the youngsters.
Guam
March 04, 2025 at 01:29 pm
I wouldn't mind if it was just Rhyan, but losing Walker and Rhyan would hurt.
Alberta_Packer
March 04, 2025 at 11:18 am
There are at least 8 running backs in this year's draft - that I would rank ahead of Lloyd from last year's draft. Sigh...
In this year's heirarchy of team needs - RB ranks on the lower end due to a relatively good and full RB room. However considering the high attrition rate at the RB position - drafting another RB may be prudent - especially on Day 3 - where good prospects look to be available.
My favorite this year is Jaydon Blue. He would offer something different than the other Packers RBs - being a linear speed back - with the ability to mismatch linebackers and threaten defenses as a receiver out of the backfield. My guess is that he would be a later Day 3 pick.
However more Packers-like RBs look to be D.J. Giddens or Tahj Brooks - who is reputed to be the best pass blocker of this class.
Turophile
March 04, 2025 at 12:26 pm
The best bang for your buck at RB (for the Packers) is probably rounds 6-7. Talented guys at RB should still be there, its about picking the right one.
This is a very good RB class, but how much do the Packers NEED another RB. I'd address DL, CB, IOL, Edge, ILB, WR, above as the need at those positions is greater. This does assume the value (for these positions of need) is there at each pick, otherwise we could go RB earlier.