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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 Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins:
What he can do
– Built low to the ground at 5-9. Compact frame, with big, powerful legs
– Tons of experience as a one-cut runner. Wants to get upfield with initial patience following by burst
– More powerful than truly elusive. Runs through more tackles than he truly avoids, but shifty at the second level
– Can be really subtle at the line, allowing blocks to form and picking through small spaces in traffic. Effectively uses stop-start move
– Has open-field speed. Ran away from a lot of people at the college level. Had seven runs over 40 yards in 2019. Home-run hitting ability could translate
– Super durable despite high workload. Played in 42 games over three years and never missed a game
– Production in the passing game. Caught 71 total passes. Did damage in the screen game.
– Scored receiving touchdowns on at least one wheel route, angle route and vertical route
– Weaves through defenders effortlessly in space
– Will leap over the pile to score near the end zone
– Strong stiff arm in the open field. Finishes runs with physicality
– Willing and capable in pass pro, although, like all young backs, needs more development. Three-down potential
– Buckeye legend. Rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2019. Three-straight seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards. Finished as the second-leading rusher in school history
How he fits
Potentially as a long-term upgrade on Jamaal Williams, who is a free agent after the 2020 season, and as a future starting running back if the Packers can’t re-sign Aaron Jones. Dobbins is a safe, high-floor prospect who has an easily translatable skillset to the next level. The running back position remains a sneaky need for the Packers considering the current contract situations of Williams and Jones, and Dexter Williams – last year’s sixth-round pick – is far from a sure thing. How much do the Packers value the running back position? This draft could tell the story, considering the talent – like Dobbins – that could available on Day 2. Dobbins has toughness, one-cut ability and three-down potential, projecting as a quality starter at the next level. The Packers met with Dobbins ahead of the draft.
NFL comp
De’Angelo Williams. Similar size, athleticism and college production. Like Williams, Dobbins could be a solid, consistent pro who can play for a long time and contribute to a pro-style offense in a number of different, valuable ways.
Where Packers could get him
Likely on Day 2, although projections for Dobbins vary. More than likely, the Packers would have to use pick No. 62 or No. 94 to get the Ohio State star.
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