Since the Mike McCarthy days, Packers fans have known nothing but robust receiving corps. - everything from burners to slot guys, top to bottom. Beginning in 2007, it was the "fab five," led by Driver and Jennings, followed by Jones, Nelson and Finley just years later...and, finally, Cobb and Adams coming aboard after the Packers' Super Bowl victory.
Fast forward five years, the NFL remains a passing league...and the Packers still have the league's best passer as QB1. So, when browsing the Packers first 2021 depth chart, why does that talented depth now appear under the "RB" section?
Indeed, since the arrival of second-year head coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers have transformed into a "running back-oriented" offense. This is not the same kind of smashmouth style of running attack you might associate with the Steelers or Bears. It's a style of offense that integrates versatile backs into a still-very-present passing game.
Behind the transformation is all-purpose weapon, Aaron Jones - a dream-come-true for LaFleur's creative play design.
The fifth-year back can be lined up in the backfield, split out wide as a receiver or motioned in and out of the slot. A key chess piece in LaFleur's offensive scheme, Jones has proven to routinely damage defenses in between the tackles, on designed misdirections, as an outlet in the flat and even downfield as a receiver. Rather than commanding physical attributes, it's Jones' versatility as a runner and pass-catching abilities that make him such a prime fit for LaFleur's offense.
...Skill sets the Packers have sought to replicate in recent draft picks.
In the sixth round of the 2019 draft, the Packers added cross-functional back Dexter Williams out of Notre Dame. A year later, they nabbed A.J. Dillon in the second round who, despite his Derrick Henry-like build, has also proven the ability to play both ball carrier and receiver roles on offense. Finally, the Packers landed Kylin Hill in the seventh round of this past April's draft, with visions of developing a hybrid between Jones and the recently-departed Jamaal Williams.
If the productivity of 2018 Titans running backs is any indication of what LaFleur's running back-minded offense is capable of, the Packers are fully justified in anchoring their strategy on offense around the position, regardless of whether it's Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love under center. Such an approach likely played a role in the front office's decision to retain Jones this past March at a price the Packers have been historically reluctant to pay veteran backs.
For this strategy to succeed, the Packers will need to continue to invest in young running back talent, much like they did at the wide receiver position six times on the second day of the NFL Draft between 2006 and 2015. This will be particularly important as Jones plays out what's sure to be his last contract in Green Bay and the Packers eventually begin a new era at quarterback, which always comes with the need for a strong supporting cast.
For perhaps the first time since the Ahman Green days, talent and health of the Packers backfield takes a definitive priority over that of the wide receiver corps.
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