‘More Competition to Come’ at Unexpected Position of Need for Packers

In 2024, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did one of his patented veteran-rookie double-ups.

In free agency, he signed Josh Jacobs to a big contract. In the draft, he used a valuable third-round pick on MarShawn Lloyd.

Jacobs, of course, has been great. In two seasons, he has been a leader in the locker room and a workhorse on the field. Even with generally subpar blocking, Jacobs in two seasons has 2,258 rushing yards, 2,882 total yards and 30 total touchdowns.

Lloyd, however, has been invisible to everyone but the team’s training staff. In two seasons, he’s played in only one game. He didn’t play at all last season, with one comeback after another thrown for a loss due to injuries and setbacks.

There’s already been a slight transformation in the backfield this offseason. Emanuel Wilson, who rushed for almost 1,000 yards as Jacobs’ primary backup the last two seasons, was not re-signed. His absence would be fine if Lloyd were ready to step into a bigger role. At this point, however, the team can’t possibly count on him.

So, as it stands, the Packers have only Chris Brooks – a superb pass blocker who’s shown the ability to be a pile-moving runner – Pierre Strong, a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022 who didn’t play in a game in 2025, and Damien Martinez, a seventh-round pick by the Seahawks in 2025 who didn’t play in a game as a rookie.

“I like our group,” general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday. “Obviously, we brought Chris Brooks back. We think the world of him, not only as an offensive running back in all phases but also a special teams player. I feel really confident if he has to go into a game what he’s going to do.”

Then came the important – and obvious – line.

“We’re certainly going to add competition to that room,” Gutekunst continued. “But I like whether it’s MarShawn, as we get him healthy and get him going, Pierre Strong’s there. There’s guys we really like, but I’m sure there will be more competition to come.”

Here are eight names to consider for that added competition. In the draft, we have potential fits in Day 2, early in Day 3 and late in Day 3. In free agency, we pick veterans from three potential buckets.

Day 2: Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Emmett Johnson is the No. 99 prospect for Justin Melo of On SI and the No. 92 prospect – and No. 3 back – for The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.

Happy NFL Draft month from NFL Draft On SI!

Updated Top 100 Big Board:https://t.co/EEXA5y1drZ
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 1, 2026

“Johnson runs the football with intentional physicality and a red-hot motor,” Melo wrote in calling him a “value” pick.

He had a superb final season with 1,450 rushing yards, with about half his yards coming after contact. He added 46 receptions for another 370 yards in 2025 and caught 85 passes during his final two seasons.

“I obviously enjoyed carrying that workload for my team,” he told Melo. “I was very prepared and ready to dominate, definitely more so than I was in previous years. Nebraska gave me an opportunity to be that lead back and take over. I maximized that opportunity.”

At 202 pounds with 4.56 speed in the 40, Johnson’s Relative Athletic Score was only 5.55.

Early Day 3: Adam Randall, Clemson

Adam Randall went from receiver to No. 1 running back for the Tigers. He rushed for 809 yards, with 526 yards coming after contact, according to PFF, and 10 touchdowns. He caught 36 passes with a surprisingly high six drops.

The physical tools are impossible to ignore. He’s 6-foot-2 5/8 and 232 pounds with 4.50 speed in the 40 and explosion in the jumps. His Relative Athletic Score was 9.44.

“Randall, a former wide receiver, is new to his position, but his blend of size, top-end speed and pass-catching ability make him an intriguing prospect,” was the opening sentence in the scouting report by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

Late Day 3: Chip Trayanum, Toledo

Chip Trayanum is like the Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere.” After stops at Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky, Traynum was the top dog in Toledo’s backfield in 2025 and rocketed up draft boards with 1,064 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. A little more than half his rushing yards came after contact. He added 21 receptions.

He has an appealing skill-set at 5-foot-10 5/8 and 224 pounds. He’s fast (4.50 in the 40) and strong (27 reps on the bench press) and finished with a RAS of 9.62.

Noted PFF in a comment that would fit what Green Bay prefers: “His linebacker background shows up in pass protection, where he brings physicality and a willingness to engage.”

Also, Seth McGowan of Kentucky possesses attractive physical tools at 5-foot-11 5/8 and 223 pounds with 4.49 speed in the 40. His RAS was 9.34.

It’s his past that will have to be thoroughly vetted. After a promising freshman season at Oklahoma in 2020, he was arrested and dismissed from the team, bounced around a bit and finished his career at Kentucky, where he rushed for 725 yards and caught 19 passes last season.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) rushes against the Los Angeles Chargers. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Seasoned Pro: Kareem Hunt

Kareem Hunt continues to produce in whatever role he’s given. Last season with the Chiefs, he played in 17 games with four starts and rushed for 661 yards and eight touchdowns and added 18 catches. He has four seasons of 35-plus receptions, most recently with the Browns in 2022.

However, he hasn’t hit 4.0 yards per carry since 2021 with Cleveland and will turn 31 early in training camp.

Reclamation Project: Zamir White

Zamir White was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in 2022, when Josh Jacobs was the leader of their backfield. He was a bust for them with 736 rushing yards and a 3.7-average in four seasons, including 12 carries for 32 yards in six games in 2025.

Before the 2022 draft, he measured 6-foot and 214 pounds and ran his 40 in 4.40 seconds. He’ll turn 27 early in the season.

Injured: Antonio Gibson, Miles Sanders

Antonio Gibson suffered a torn ACL in October, sidelining him for the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl.

A third-round pick in 2020, Gibson topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of his first two seasons and scored a total of 21 touchdowns. He hasn’t hit those levels since, though he did catch 172 passes in four seasons with Washington and 23 passes for New England in 2024. He had a kickoff-return touchdown last season.

He’ll turn 28 in June.

Miles Sanders was a second-round pick by the Eagles in 2019. He rushed for 3,708 yards and caught 124 passes in four seasons in Philly, capped by his lone 1,000-yard season – 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022.

After two disappointing seasons with Carolina, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry in four games for Dallas in 2025 before going on injured reserve following season-ending surgery that will have to be thoroughly checked. He’ll turn 29 next month.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY PACKERS NEWSLETTER