Green Bay Packers NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Running Backs
The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from Feb. 26 through March 4. Personnel from all 32 teams will gather in Indianapolis to watch some of their potential NFL Draft picks put their skills on display.
One position of interest to the Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst is running back. Aaron Jones will be back, but the rest of that position is up in the air with AJ Dillon headed to free agency after a disappointing season.
There are nearly 30 running backs who will be working out at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are details on some of the top prospects. The full list of players working out can be found here.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Resume: 20 career 100-yard rushing games, 69.5 percent of yards came after contact in 2023. Two-time second-team all-Big Ten. 3,494 career rushing yards, ranked ninth all-time at Wisconsin. According to Pro Football Focus, 49 running backs in the draft class had 100-plus rushing attempts. He ranked 13 with 3.77 yards after contact per carry and caught 28-of-30 passes with one drop. However, only one back had more than his four fumbles.
How He Fits: Allen would slide right into the AJ Dillon-style power-back role. Allen has a long stride and is intriguing enough due to his young age to be a long-term answer in the Packers' backfield. If the Packers were to select Allen, they'd likely have him in mind as a complement to Aaron Jones in the short term, with an eye toward the future.
Emani Bailey, TCU
Resume: Led Big 12 with 8.1 yards per carry in 2022. In four seasons, he rushed for 2,161 yards with a 5.9-yard average. He set career highs with 1,209 rushing yards, 25 receptions and nine total touchdowns in 2023. According to PFF, he ranked third in missed tackles (70) and 15th in yards after contact (3.68) and caught all 25 targeted passes. He fumbled twice.
How He Fits: As a former track star, Bailey is one of the players to watch in the 40-yard dash. Bailey's speed could be something the Packers could use in a backfield that needs an injection of explosive playmakers. Bailey is likely to be a Day 3 selection due to inconsistencies he battled during his college career.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Trey Benson, Florida State
Resume: 2022, 2023 second-team All-ACC, 2023 Bobby Bowden Leadership Award. Benson barely played at Oregon so transferred to Florida State for his final two seasons. He rushed for 990 yards (6.4 average) in 2022 and 906 yards (5.8 average) and 14 touchdowns in 2023. Of 49 backs with 100 carries, he ranked 22nd with 3.53 yards after contact per carry. He ranked 29th in carries but 20th in missed tackles (45). He did not fumble and caught 20-of-24 passes (three drops).
How He Fits: Benson's workload was limited, which could lead to some concerns about whether he could handle a heavier workload in the NFL. Then again, there’s a lot of tread left on the tire. That would fit in line perfectly, however, with the way they've liked to use Aaron Jones during his career.
Benson showed an improved ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which would give them some more playmaking ability in the passing game that they've lacked in Matt LaFleur's tenure as coach.
Brugler ranking: 92.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Resume: 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist; second-Team all-Big 12. Honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Getting his chance with Bijan Robinson off to the NFL, Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards (6.1 average) and 10 touchdowns. Of 49 backs with 100 carries, Brooks ranked 10th with 3.91 yards after contact per carry and eighth with 63 missed tackles. He had one fumble and caught 25-of-29 passes (two drops).
How He Fits: If not for an ACL injury suffered late in the season, Brooks would likely be the no-doubt first running back off the board. Even with the injury, he is still Brugler's top-rated running back.
The question for the Packers will come down to medicals. How comfortable are they with the structure of Brooks' knee. Even if they are comfortable, would they be willing to use a high draft choice on someone who may not play much as a rookie? If the answers to those questions are yes, the Packers could find themselves getting a steal by adding Brooks on the second day of the draft.
Brugler said stylistically Brooks reminds him of Kenyan Drake, who had a cameo in Green Bay in 2023.
Brugler ranking: 70.
Blake Corum, Michigan
Resume: Two-time first-team All-American and unanimous first-team All-American in 2022. Corum is Michigan’s career record-holder in rushing touchdowns (58), total touchdowns (61), and career points scored (356). He was seventh in Heisman voting in 2022, when he rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was ninth in 2023, when he rushed for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns. His four-year totals include 3,737 rushing yards, a 5.5 average and 56 receptions. However, he was a woeful 46th with 2.42 yards after contact per carry and was 32nd in missed tackles despite being third in carries. He caught 16-of-18 passes (one drop) and had three fumbles.
How He Fits: Corum is a tough runner who uses a violent cutting ability to make opposing defenders miss in the open field. He does not have the breakaway speed that some of his fellow draft classmates may possess, but there is not a more accomplished running back in this draft class.
Corum could pair with Aaron Jones early in his career, to help ease some of the concerns about his workload, with nearly 700 carries to his name in college, before being inserted into a full-time role whenever Jones moves on.
Brugler ranking: 73.
Blake Corum breaks a run in the National Championship Game
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State
Resume: 4,548 career rushing yards, first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference in 2022; 2022 team MVP. According to PFF, he caught 23-of-30 passes and had one fumble in 2023, when he rushed for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns to help the school win a second consecutive FCS national championship. He averaged 3.97 yards after contact and forced 80 missed tackles, though against obviously lesser competition.
How He Fits: Listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he’s got NFL size. Davis showed some ability as a pass catcher for the Jackrabbits, where he caught 44 total passes over the last two seasons. Davis would come in and compete for a spot on the back end of the running back room with Emanuel Wilson and Patrick Taylor. One of the fastest ways to the field is to find a role in the passing game. Davis' experience could help him there.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Ray Davis, Kentucky
Resume: 2023 first-team all-SEC and second-team All-American. Davis rushed for 936 yards at Temple in 2019, 1,042 yards at Vanderbilt in 2022 and 1,129 yards for Kentucky in 2023. His five-year, three-school totals include 3,626 rushing yards (4.9 average) and 94 receptions (8.1 average). Of 49 backs with 100-plus carries, he ranked 12th with 3.81 yards after contact in 2023. He caught 32-of-39 passes with two drops. He had one fumble.
How He Fits: Davis has experience in the passing game, tallying at least one reception in 25 consecutive games. Finishing first-team all-SEC in a conference that prides itself on stopping the run is impressive. He's likely a Day 3 selection, which is where the Packers and the rest of the NFL have preferred to target running backs as the value of the position has continued to wane.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Daijun Edwards, Georgia
Resume: Georgia's leading rusher in 2023 with 880 yards (5.3 average). In four seasons, he rushed for 2,082 yards (5.3 average) and 13 touchdowns. Of his 37 career receptions, 34 came the final two years. Of 49 backs with 100-plus carries, he ranked 34th with 3.04 yards after contact per carry. He caught 20-of-22 passes with one drop and one fumble.
How He Fits: Edwards was finally able to get into the spotlight after spending most of his first two seasons as a reserve.
He has experience both in the backfield and playing on special teams. Edwards is likely to be picked in the back half of the draft or slip into undrafted free agency. In order for those guys to make the roster, value on special teams is paramount. Patrick Taylor is a shining example of that.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Audric Estimé, Notre Dame
Resume: 2023 second-team All-American after rushing for 1,341 yards (6.4 average) and 18 touchdowns. He had six 100-yard rushing games, including 238 yards and four scores against Stanford. Of 49 backs with 100-plus carries, he was fourth with 4.27 yards after contact and sixth with 64 missed tackles. He fumbled once and caught all 17 targeted passes.
How He Fits: Estime has some ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and has graded out well as a pass blocker. Pass protection is paramount for reserve running backs, and Estime would need to continue to improve in that area to find his way onto the field. He'd likely be in the mix for that third running back spot and have to contribute on special teams. Estime is ranked 89th on Dane Brugler's big board, which puts him right on the edge of the third round or slipping into Day 3.
Brugler ranking: 89.
Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi
Resume: Gore was second-team all-Sun Belt conference during each of his final two seasons. With 4,022 career rushing yards, he was the leading active ball-carrier in the nation. Of 49 backs with 100 carries in 2023, he was 18th with 3.58 yards after contact per carry and fifth with 69 forced missed tackles. He caught 27-of-36 passes (three drops) and had three fumbles.
How He Fits: The son of former NFL star Frank Gore, Gore Jr's ability as an all-purpose back is something the Packers have been missing from their backfield. Gore has 75 receptions to his name in college and could give Jordan Love the weapon out of the backfield the Packers have not had since the days of Dorsey Levens.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
Resume: Three-time academic all-Big Ten at Wisconsin before transferring to Louisville for his final season. At Wisconsin, he rushed for 582 yards and six touchdowns and caught 20 passes. At Louisville, he rushed for 810 yards (6.1 average) and 11 touchdowns and added 22 receptions. He ranked sixth with 4.12 yards after contact per carry (one fumble) and caught 22-of-24 passes (one drop).
How He Fits: Guerendo was a second-team all-Big Ten choice as a kickoff returner at Wisconsin, where he averaged 23.9 yards per runback in 2022. The Packers could be looking for some juice in their return game with Keisean Nixon set to hit free agency and Jayden Reed becoming a focal point to their offense.
After transferring to Louisville, Guerendo had a breakout season as a runner. He capped his career with 161 rushing yards against USC. Guerendo is likely to be picked later in the draft where he would need his special teams value to show up in a big way.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Bucky Irving, Oregon
Resume: Honorable-mention all Pac-12 in 2022 and a second-team choice in 2023. His final season was tremendous with 1,180 rushing yards (6.3 average) and 11 touchdowns and 56 receptions for 413 yards (7.4 average) and two touchdowns. Added together, he finished with 4,056 all-purpose yards in three seasons. Of 49 backs with 100-plus rushes, Irving was seventh with 3.99 yards after contact per carry and fourth with 69 missed tackles. He caught 55-of-51 passes (three drops) and had just one fumble.
How He Fits: Irving is one of the early favorites in this draft class for the Packers. While he is small at a listed 194 pounds, he makes up for that with his ability to play with defenders in space.
Irving caught 56 passes in his final college season, getting to a career total of 95. If the Packers want a true pass-catching back to help torment opposing defenses on third downs, there may not be a better one in this class than Irving. He's no slouch running the ball, either, with the back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and a career average of 6.2 yards per attempt.
Brian Gutekunst would likely need to spend an early pick to make sure Irving finds his way to Green Bay, but a difference-maker with the potential he has could be worth it.
Brugler ranking: 81.
Dillon Johnson, Washington
Resume: After rushing for 1,198 yards with 11 touchdowns in in three years at Mississippi State, Johnson at Washington in 2023 was second-team all-Pac-12 with 1,195 rushing yards (5.1 average) and 16 touchdowns. Of 40 backs in the draft class with 100 carries, Johnson was 35th with 3.00 yards after contact. He caught 24-of-25 passes (zero drops) and had two fumbles.
How He Fits: Johnson's most admirable trait might be his toughness. He played through a painful leg injury in the 2024 National Championship Game against Michigan and was still able to find some moments of success against the nation's best defense.
Before the injury, Johnson's skillset was on full display as to why he'd be a good fit in Green Bay's backfield. He's a tough, physical runner in between the tackles, but also has the ability to make an impact in the passing game. Johnson has natural hands allowing him to catch the ball without breaking stride. That's a skill that could help the Packers as they look to spell Jones in the ladder stages of his career.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
Resume: Jordan finished with 2,214 career rushing yards and two career kickoff-return touchdowns. He closed his career by setting career highs with 1,128 rushing yards (6.2 average), 13 rushing touchdowns and 21 receptions. Of 49 backs in the draft class with 100 carries, he was 29th with 3.19 yards after contact. He fumbled twice. He caught 21-of-25 passes (two drops).
How He Fits: Jordan was another do-it-all running back in Jeff Brohm's program at Louisville. He has experience on special teams, which is always valuable for a player on the back end of the roster. Jordan could compete for the third running back spot, and find a leg up in that competition if his experience as a return man is required by special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Resume: 2023 honorable-mention all-Pac-12 with 820 rushing yards (7.1 average) and nine touchdowns. Of 49 backs in the draft class with 100 carries, Lloyd was ninth with 3.91 yards after contact per carry. He was 47th in carries but 18th with 47 missed tackles. He fumbled three times and caught just 13-of-18 passes (one drop).
How He Fits: Lloyd transferred to USC after two seasons with South Carolina to play in Lincoln Riley's high-powered offense with likely No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. Lloyd did not disappoint. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry in his only season with the Trojans and flashed big-play ability in both the run and pass game.
He averaged 17.8 yards per reception but only had 13 catches with the Trojans. That will need to be something he proves capable of in Indianapolis. The Packers could use Lloyd's big-play potential out of the backfield as they look to spell Jones. Lloyd could be a complementary back early in his career before being given the chance to become the starter if he improves enough early in his career.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Jase McClellan, Alabama
Resume: In four seasons, McClellan rushed for 1,981 yards and 18 touchdowns. In 2023, he rushed for 890 yards (4.9 average) and caught 15 passes. Of the 49 backs in the draft class with 100 carries, he ranked 26th with 3.21 yards after contact per carry and 15th with 49 missed tackles. He did not fumble. He caught 14-of-17 passes with one drop.
How He Fits: McClellan emerged as the top back for the Crimson Tide in his final season at Alabama after a committee was established early in the season.
McClellan flashes short-area quickness that is impressive when he is one-on-one with a linebacker in space. He has had issues with injuries during his college career but was healthy for 12 of 13 games in his senior season with the Tide.
McClellan saw limited action as a receiver in Alabama's run-heavy scheme, which could lead to some questions about his ability to contribute in the passing game. Contributing as a receiver is likely a requirement for any running back Green Bay adds through the draft.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Cody Schrader, Missouri
Resume: 2023 first-team All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. The former Division II star won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top walk-on and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 1,611 yards and 14 touchdowns. Of 49 running backs in the draft class with at least 100 carries, he was 31st with 3.07 yards after contact per carry. He was second in carries but 11th with 51 missed tackles. He caught 21-of-25 passes (one drop) and had just one fumble.
How He Fits: Schrader was the identity of the team when he was with Missouri. He nearly carried the Tigers to a victory over Georgia, when he rumbled for 112 yards on the ground against the Bulldogs' defense. His 128 yards in the bowl win over Ohio State was sixth straight of at least 110 rushing yards.
If there is a question about Schrader's game, it will be in the passing game. He graded out as average in both receiving and as a pass blocker according to PFF. Any running back that Green Bay looks to add this offseason will need to be an asset in the passing game.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Cody Schrader at the Senior Bowl
Gregg Pachkowski - USA Today
Will Shipley, Clemson
Resume: In 2022, Shipley became the first player in ACC history to earn first-team all-conference honors at three different positions, collecting accolades at the running back, all-purpose and specialist categories. His three-year totals: 2,748 rushing yards, 85 receptions for 602 yards and 33 touchdowns on offense, and a 26.6-yard average on kickoff returns. Of 49 backs in the draft class with 100 carries, Shipley ranked 36th with 2.92 yards after contact and 39th with 27 missed tackles. He had three fumbles. He caught 31-of-38 passes with three drops.
How He Fits: Shipley might be the discount version of Oregon’s Bucky Irving in this class in terms of his skill-set. Shipley caught 85 passes in three years at Clemson, totaling 602 yards receiving in that timeframe. Shipley could find a role quickly in Green Bay's offense catching the ball out of the backfield, but would need to drastically improve in pass protection. He graded severely below average in that phase of the game, according to PFF. His kickoff-return history would be an obvious asset if Keisean Nixon leaves in free agency.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
Resume: Shirden was a first-team FCS All-American in 2022, when he ran for 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns, in 2023, when he added 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns. His three-year totals as a runner: 3,697 yards (7.3 average) and 26 touchdowns as a runner. He was a nonfactor as a receiver as a freshman and sophomore but caught 20-of-25 passes in 2023. He had one fumble, one drop and averaged 3.35 yards after contact per attempt.
How He Fits: Shirden was a workhorse for the Hawks, with more than 200 carries in each of the last two seasons. When the ball was in his hands, he was productive, averaging more than 6 yards per carry in both seasons, including 8.4 in 2022. He is on the smaller side, listed at 195 pounds, which could cause some issues in pass protection.
With explosive rushing ability, Shirden could become the small-school sleeper that everyone falls in love with in August.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue
Resume: Tracy spent four years at Iowa and his final two at Purdue. The first five seasons were spent at receiver, with 36 catches for 589 yards at Iowa in 2019 and 28 receptions for 198 yards at Purdue in 2022. He moved to running back in 2023 and delivered 716 yards (6.3 average) and eight touchdowns. Of 49 running backs in the draft class with at least 100 carries, Tracy was No. 1 with 4.44 yards after contact. He was 48th in carries but 19th with 44 missed tackles. He did not fumble. He caught 19-of-25 passes with two drops.
How He Fits: At 5-foot-11 and 201 pounds, Tracy has a good build. His history reads a bit like Ty Montgomery, who was a standout receiver at Stanford who found some acclaim when the Packers moved him to running back. His pass-catching and route-running ability would, to state the obvious, be a weapon from the backfield.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Michael Wiley, Arizona
Resume: Wiley rushed for 771 yards with 36 receptions during a quality 2022 season. Injuries sidelined him for a significant chunk of 2023, so he was limited to 311 rushing yards (4.4 average) and three touchdowns and 28 receptions for 306 yards (10.9 average) and five touchdowns. Had Wiley reached out 100-rushes threshold, he would have ranked 24th with 3.44 yards after contact. Wiley caught 28-of-34 passes with two drops. His 2.16 yards per route was by far the best of the FBS-level draft prospects. In 2022, he was No. 1 with 4.66 rushing yards after contact.
How He Fits: Wiley's another back that excels at catching the ball out of the backfield. He averaged just under 11 yards per reception in his final season at Arizona and found the end zone five times. Wiley would need to clean up his pass-blocking ability. He graded out as well below average according to PFF in that regard. The fastest way to become glued to the bench is by getting the franchise quarterback hit. Wiley would have to prove he can improve in that area.
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Miyan Williams, Ohio State
Resume: Williams was third-team all-Big Ten in 2022, when he rushed for 825 yards (6.4 average) and 14 touchdowns. However, a season-ending non-ACL knee injury limited him to only 49 carries for 158 yards (3.2 average) and four receptions in 2023. His four-year totals: 1,555 rushing yards (6.0 average) and 20 touchdowns, plus 20 receptions (7.9 average). Using his 2022 numbers, Williams of the 51 running backs in the 2024 draft class who had 100 carries ranked fifth with 4.36 yards after contact. He did not fumble.
How He Fits: Williams is used to playing in a system that has him splitting carries. Trayveon Henderson surprised the NFL by returning to Ohio State for another season. Williams and Henderson split carries in the Buckeyes' powerful backfield from a season ago.
Williams would be asked to split those carries with Jones in 2024. At a listed 227 pounds, he’d obviously bring a different style than Jones. There will be questions about Williams health after he missed a chunk of the 2023 season with a knee injury. And can he catch the ball?
Brugler ranking: Unranked.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Resume: Wright was second-team all-SEC in 2023 with 1,013 rushing yards (7.4 average) and 22 receptions for 141 yards. His three-year totals 2,297 rushing yards (6.2 average), 18 rushing touchdowns and 30 receptions for 171 yards (5.7 average). Of 49 backs in the draft class with at least 100 rushing attempts, Wright was second with 4.35 yards after contact per carry. He fumbled once. While he was 38th in carries, he ranked 22nd with 43 missed tackles and fifth with 19 runs of 15-plus yards. He caught 22-of-25 passes with one drop.
How He Fits: Wright would give the Packers another dynamic player in the backfield. One of his most impressive abilities is to make plays after he has been hit. The Packers' offense was largely stuck in neutral when someone other than Jones was asked to carry the load in the backfield.
Wright could be someone who pairs with Jones immediately and gives them more of that game-breaking ability that helps unlock the final stages of the Packers' offense under Jordan Love.
Brugler ranking: 89.
