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The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Boston College running back A.J. Dillon:
What he can do
– Incredible, almost hard to believe blend of size, athleticism and power. 6-0 and 247 pounds but ran 4.53 in the 40, hit 41″ in the vertical and did 23 reps on the bench
– Big, powerful legs churn through tackle attempts with ease. Usually takes a hoard to get him on the ground
– Just pinballs off defenders who don’t wrap up or attempt to tackle him high
– Bigger, faster and stronger than most linebackers
– Surprisingly good lateral agility as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Has a little jump cut that gets his big body going where his eyes lead
– Patient enough to set up blocks. Has some burst into the second level and enough straight-line speed in the open field
– Has some shiftiness in space, can elude tackles. Overall, forced 81 missed tackles and rushed for over 1,000 yards after contact in 2019, per PFF
– Corners just don’t tackle him one-on-one on the outside
– Beat a ton of loaded boxes for big plays
– Ran out of a variety of formations at BC, including as a single back and with a fullback, and with the quarterback under center and in the shotgun. Ready for pro-style offense
– Doesn’t have elite acceleration
– Caught only 21 passes during college but had 15 as a junior, flashing ability in the screen game and as a rollout target in the flat. Dropped three passes on limited targets, per PFF
– Might only have two-down ability early
– Handled almost 900 total touches. Heavy collegiate workload often scares teams away from running backs
– Produced three straight seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards. Rushed for a school-record 4,382 yards and scored 38 touchdowns
How he fits
As the thunder to Aaron Jones’ lightning. Pairing the two backs over the next three or four years, assuming the Packers re-sign Jones to a new deal, could really push the run game to a new level. Remember, Matt LaFleur used Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis in tandem in Tennessee, so he knows the value of having two diverse running backs carrying the load. If drafted, Dillon could help bring some long-term stability to a position that will see Jones, Jamaal Williams and Tyler Ervin enter the final year of their respective deals in 2020. Scheme versatile and one of the most athletic players in the class, Dillon has the natural power and speed to be an effective starting running back at the next level, capable of wearing down defenses and piling up yards after contact.
NFL comp
From a size and athleticism standpoint, Dillon is one of the most unique running back prospects in recent memory. His closest comparison on Mockdraftable is actually Ricky Williams. Many will compare him to Derrick Henry or Brandon Jacobs.
Where Packers could get him
Day 2 or early Day 3. Most don’t consider him a member of the upper tier of running backs in this class, but his combination of size and athleticism will appeal to teams, especially if they can get him in a tandem with another established rusher. Henry has proved that a big man who can move still has value.
Highlights
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins
OT Lucas Niang
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