Yesterday I was asked about the running back situation in Green Bay. Aaron Jones will start, but the No. 2 could be either second-rounder A.J. Dillon or veteran Jamaal Williams. Both Jones and Williams are in the final year of their rookie contract, so Dillon might be the only one on the roster a year from now.
But for this year, Jamaal Williams seems more likely to be the correct handcuff should Jones miss time due to injury. Dillon is fullback-sized (6-0, 247) and might play early on as a change-of-pace or late-game hammer when the team is working a lead, but he has virtually no experience as a receiver: 21 receptions in 35 games at Boston College. Doubtful they'd be comfortable using him in any passing situations. It should be Jones or Williams in all of those, and Williams playing more snaps should Jones get hurt.
Williams is nothing special, but he was pretty productive in Jones' quieter games a year ago.
Four times last season, Jones carried the ball 11 or fewer times. Here are Williams' numbers in those contests.
| WILLIAMS WHEN JONES <12 ATTEMPTS (2019) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opp | Run | No | Rec | Tot | TD |
| Den. | 59 | 2 | 27 | 86 | 0 |
| Det. | 104 | 4 | 32 | 136 | 1 |
| at LAC | 10 | 6 | 39 | 49 | 1 |
| at NYG | 41 | 4 | 26 | 67 | 0 |
Dipping back into the previous season (different coaching staff), Jones missed all or part of five games. Here are Williams' numbers in those contests.
| WILLIAMS WITH JONES SIDELINED (2018) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opp. | Run | No | Rec | Tot | TD |
| Chi. | 47 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 |
| Minn. | 59 | 3 | 12 | 71 | 0 |
| at Chi. | 55 | 4 | 42 | 97 | 1 |
| at NYJ | 95 | 6 | 61 | 156 | 1 |
| Det. | 4 | 3 | 16 | 20 | 0 |
Barring injury to Jones, I don't expect Williams to play much. Should be Dillon as a change-up runner. And I think Dillon will have value if Jones gets hurt; the two should play in a tandem of some sort.
But given Williams' superior experience in the offense and passing down abilities, I think he's more likely to be the correct handcuff, with PPR value if Jones goes down. Dillon might get just as many rushing attempts and be the guy who carries near the goal line, but Williams would probably play more.
--Andy Richardson