Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Marshall running back Rasheen Ali.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
In a span of a few hours, the Green Bay Packers agreed to terms with Josh Jacobs and released Aaron Jones.
Instead of having to find Jones a new running mate, Brian Gutekunst will now look to find a running back to pair with the team’s new running back.
A prospect they could target in the 2024 NFL Draft as they look to round out the running back depth chart is Rasheen Ali. The Marshall tailback checks in at No. 59 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A former two-star recruit out of Ohio, Ali broke out in 2021, when he rushed for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 45 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown. The following season, Ali missed a large portion of the season due to a leg injury.
This past season, Ali rushed for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Ohio native added 28 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown.
“The Marshall offense was designed, in large part, for Ali to have success and get the bulk of the touches,” Luke Creasy, the Marshall athletics beat writer for The Herald-Dispatch, said. “The passing attack hasn’t been that strong for the past couple of years and Ali would’ve likely ended his collegiate career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons had he not been injured in preseason camp causing him to miss ten games in 2022. The Herd relied on running backs to produce and Ali delivered.”
Ali runs with good patience and tempo. The Marshall running back has good vision and an innate ability to find the cutback lane. He makes sharp cuts without gearing down. He clears the hole with burst and can get to top speed quickly.
“He’s a patient runner,” Creasy said. “If there’s no lane, he’ll wait for space to open up and then try to hit the gaps. He burned several defenders on runs up the middle and by bouncing to the outside last year and if he got in space, there’s an extra burst of speed reserved for when he hits the open field.”
Ali is explosive in short areas and he finds a second gear to destroy pursuit angles. He has home-run ability and finished this past season with 24 runs of 10-plus yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Ali racked up 536 yards after contact this past season.
‘When he gets in the open field he’s hard to grab,” Creasy said. “He’s shifty at the line of scrimmage and then can turn on the burners. He’s tough to tackle in space unless there’s someone quick enough to catch him from behind.”
Ali looks natural catching passes and running routes. He’s shifty out in space and can turn a simple swing pass into an explosive play.
“He was more of a factor in the passing game later in his career than he was at the start and that’s a testament to his continued growth while at Marshall,” Creasy said. “He’s elusive in the open field and the Herd ran him out wide plenty last season, connecting on a couple different occasions. He’s got good hands, great awareness and can line up anywhere on the field.”
Fit with the Packers
Jacobs just turned 26 years old in February and is a year removed from leading the league in rushing. It’s now up to Gutekunst to find a running back that will pair nicely with the former Las Vegas Raider.
Ali checks the boxes with his explosiveness, vision and pass-catching potential. With the Packers owning six Day 3 picks, Ali could be a target for the Packers as they aim to round out their running back room behind Jones.
“He’s a versatile piece in any offensive system and has shown the ability to make value for himself in any offense,” Creasy said. “There was a major shift in offensive scheme between his breakout year in 2021 and final season in 2023 and, in both, he managed to find a way to be the most productive offensive player on the field. Mentally, he’s as tough as they come.”
The signing of Jacobs came as a major surprise. For a few short minutes, Green Bay fans were envisioning a one-two punch of Jones and Jacobs.
Now, it’s up to Gutekunst to add a running back or two in the draft to team with Jacobs to round out the running back room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
