The Green Bay Packers will have five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. They will have one selection in the first round, two selections in the second round, and two selections in the third round. One of the positions Green Bay will need to target through the draft this offseason is the running back position.
Aaron Jones has not been able to stay healthy this season. AJ Dillon will be a free agent, and the Green Bay Packers will probably not re-sign him. Emmanuel Wilson is a rookie and has not seen much action this season in the backfield. Who are some possible candidates that the Green Bay Packers can draft and for general manager Brian Gutekunst to scout?
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Brooks can be the top running back on the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he wouldn’t be projected to go until the second round. The big board rank on pro football focus has him at number 55 currently. This would be a great selection for the Green Bay Packers if they went this route. If Brooks is the first running back off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, this would be the second consecutive NFL Draft that a Texas running back went first.
Bijan Robinson was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. Trevor Sikkema wrote about Brooks:
“At over six feet tall and over 200 pounds, Brooks shows impressive wiggle, agility, body control and long speed for a player with his build. He’s been one of the most productive backs in the country and is in the conversation to be the first back selected if he declares.”
Brooks has rushed for 923 yards on 144 carries and seven touchdowns this season with the Texas Longhorns. He is averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Jonathon Brooks has also caught 22 passes for 212 yards receiving and one touchdown, with an average of 9.6 yards per reception. The Green Bay Packers could use a running back that could catch passes out of the backfield as well.
Blake Corum from Michigan Could be the best Fit With Aaron Jones on the Green Bay Packers
What the Green Bay Packers really need in the backfield is a solid number two running back behind Aaron Jones. Blake Corum is used to playing in two running back systems with the Michigan Wolverines over the past couple of seasons. He is ranked 56th on pro football focuses, big board for the 2024 NFL Draft. Sikkema also wrote about Corum:
“Vision is the most important trait for any back, and Corum has it. He also has elite contact balance. His size (stride length) limits his long speed, but outside of that, he’s the total package as a runner with good receiving skills, too.”
Corum, so far this season for Michigan, has rushed 605 yards on 111 carries and 13 touchdowns. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Blake Corum has also caught eight passes for 60 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 7.5 yards per reception.
Marshawn Lloyd, USC
The Green Bay Packers could find good value with this player in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft if they don’t use a pick on a running back with their first three picks. Lloyd is ranked as the 65th overall prospect on the big board, according to Pro Football Focus. Trevor Sikkema said about Marshawn Lloyd:
“Lloyd has long been a good playmaker as a runner, but now with the Trojans, he’s getting to show that more often with increased volume. He’s one of the more elusive backs in the class and has improved his work as a pass-catcher, too.”
Marshawn Lloyd has rushed for 766 yards on 99 carries and eight touchdowns so far this season for the USC Trojans. He is averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Lloyd has also caught 10 passes for 157 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with 15.7 yards per reception.
