The Packers lost Eddie Lacy in free agency. At running back their roster had only converted wideout Ty Montgomery and journeyman (that's what he is right now) Christine Michael. But they gave themselves some other options on day three of the NFL Draft.
The Packers drafted Jamaal Williams in the fourth round and Aaron Jones in the fifth. One of those backs figures to wind up as part of a committee in Green Bay's backfield; maybe both.
Williams (6-0, 212) is BYU's all-time rushing leader. He ran a 4.59 at the combine, and calls to mind James Starks. A straight ahead runner with some receiving ability, no one should be falling over themselves to select him in rookie drafts, but there's opportunity for him.
Jones (5-9, 208) is smaller but solidly built, and though drafted later looks a little more intriguing from a fantasy standpoint. He's a tick faster (4.56) and was a productive receiver at Texas-El Paso, catching 58 passes for 526 yards and 6 TDs in his final two college seasons.
On the one hand, neither looks like a significant threat to Montgomery atop the depth chart. But their presence could definitely push Michael off the roster, and the player who has the better camp could find himself as half of a committee this season.
Don't hold their draft status against them. There have been some really good fourth- and fifth-round running backs drafted in the last five years, including Lamar Miller, Devonta Freeman and Jordan Howard.
Other mid- to late-round running backs that will be interesting at rookie minicamps: Kareem Hunt in Kansas City, Marlon Mack in Indianapolis and Joe Williams with the 49ers. All to teams that could/will be looking at replacing starters in 2017 or 2018, and that didn't select backs earlier in the draft.
--Andy Richardson