AJ Dillon

Drafted in the second round in 2020 in the hopes he could become Green Bay's next Eddie Lacy, the 247-pound Dillon has instead seen his yards per carry decline every year, bottoming out at 3.4 last season. The Packers brought him back on a one-year deal, but they then added MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Dillon was later placed on season-ending injured reserve in late August, after suffering his second neck stinger within a period of eight months.

Dillon remains an overqualified backup, but at least one who plays more than most other backup running backs. Indeed, in the last two years the Packers have shifted away from Aaron Jones as the clear starter and implemented a rotation of quasi-equals similar to how the Saints once used Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Dillon is the powerful counterpart to the slashing Jones, and it seems like tasks will continue to split between the two on a situational basis. As much as that might be ideal for the Packers offense, it isn't for the fantasy production of either player. Dillon might be an RB1 if Jones were to miss time, just as Jones was a fantasy RB1 before Dillon's involvement increased the last two years. Aaron Rodgers' departure this offseason brings with it the threat of Green Bay's offense declining for a second straight year, but it might also work out for Dillon if the Packers run the ball more often with Jordan Love under center and remain reasonably efficient overall.

Through three games in 2021, it looked like Dillon was stuck in the same role he had as a rookie, getting just a handful of carries per week behind Aaron Jones. That all changed against the Steelers in Week 4 when the two backs had nearly identical workloads and production. From that point on, Dillon and Jones were in a timeshare, and while both players had solid numbers, neither was able to pull away from the other. Dillon's best fantasy game of the season came in Week 10 when he racked up 128 total yards and two touchdowns with the help of a 50-yard catch. The bruising back out of Boston College is listed at the same weight as Derrick Henry, but at three inches shorter, Dillon looks more like a traditional fullback. He doesn't play like one, though, as he has the speed and agility to do more than just thunder through defenders. Dillon also has shown growth since entering the NFL, even emerging as a receiving asset last year with 34 catches and no drops. Jones is still in town for at least one more season before things get dicey with his contract, and Green Bay promoted from within to replace offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after his departure for Denver, so there's no reason to think the backfield arrangement will see any big changes. Barring a serious injury to one or the other, Dillon and Jones put a ceiling on each other once again in 2022.

A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Dillon spent most of the season getting scraps in the Packers backfield behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. When he did get an opportunity at a bigger role in Week 16, the rookie erupted for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win, giving the Titans defense a taste of what their opposition has to face from Derrick Henry every week. Like Henry, Dillon bulldozes through defenders at nearly 250 pounds while showing enough speed and balance through contact to be more than just a short-yardage option, but he has yet to show he has much to offer as a receiver, likely limiting him to early downs. With Williams now in Detroit, Dillon will move into the No. 2 spot, albeit with usage that's likely to be different from Williams, who often handled third downs and other passing situations. And while Dillon's massive frame might seem to hint at goal-line usage, the Packers have enjoyed an awful lot of success leaning on Jones and Davante Adams in the red zone, even if both are average size for their positions. That's not to say Dillon won't get some goal-line work, but Jones also figures to remain involved in the red zone, and his superior receiving skills give him a clear advantage between the 20s. The upside for Dillon likely entails Jones missing time with an injury.

While Dillon going in the second round of the 2020 draft wasn't necessarily a big surprise, the fact that he went to a Green Bay squad that already has Aaron Jones certainly was. Built in the mold of LeGarrette Blount, Dillon has enough speed (4.53 40) to make his bulk (6-0, 247) even more terrifying for would-be tacklers, and he has the patience and vision to let his blocks develop rather than simply jamming the line and trying to bull his way through traffic. He doesn't have much elusiveness, but he didn't need it during his college career given how difficult he was to bring down, and he has the frame to withstand the punishment his bludgeoning running style brings with it. Dillon could provide the thunder in a very effective backfield tandem, and Jones' league-leading 10 touchdowns from inside the 5-yard line last season could be up for grabs if Dillon takes the short-yardage role. The short-term upside does appear limited, as Jamaal Williams likely would share work with Dillon if Jones were to miss time.