Packers 2017 NFL Draft: Top five players at each position of need

Position of Need #2: Running Back

Position Outlook: Eddie Lacy is another veteran player who’s future in Green Bay is up in the air at this point. Despite struggling to keep his weight in check, Lacy looked rejuvenated this season. He was running hard and had a couple of nice performances against the Lions and Giants.

However, Lacy has struggled to stay healthy and an ankle injury in Week 6 landed him on IR for the rest of the year. It’ll be interesting to see if the Packers try to offer him a new contract after this season or if they’ll let him walk and test the market.

James Starks has also struggled to stay healthy and has been abysmal in Lacy’s place when on the field. The Packers ground game isn’t going anywhere as long as they keep trying to feed Starks the ball. He’s on the wrong side of 30 and his overall game seems to be diminishing. It’s likely Green Bay moves on from him in the offseason.

If the Packers decide to hit the reset button at running back and move on from Lacy and Starks, retooling their backfield should be one of their top priorities when it comes to the draft. And, even if the Packers manage to bring back Lacy, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to find another talented back to pair with him.

Top-5 Running Back Prospects

1. Leonard Fournette, LSU (6-1, 235)

2. Dalvin Cook, Florida State (5-11, 213)

3. Nick Chubb, Georgia (5-10, 228)

4. Jamaal Williams, BYU (6-2, 220)

5. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford (6-0, 202)

Fortunately for the Packers, running back is the strength of the 2017 draft class. There are several guys who could be real game changers, and there should be plenty of starting-quality talent available well into the middle rounds.

Fournette and Cook are truly special players who in the right system could have a similar impact as rookies as seen with Elliott in Dallas this year. They both offer very different skillets, but they’re equally effective. They should both go in the first round of the draft.

Chubb is also a special player, who at one point could have challenged Fournette and Cook for the top spot at the position. He’s an excellent blend of speed and power. However, an ACL injury in 2015 has really hurt Chubb’s draft stock. He returned in 2016 and had a nice season, but nagging injuries throughout the year have made many wonder if he’ll stay on the field in the NFL.

McCaffrey is a household name, and for good measure. He’s an excellent college running back. He’s simply a playmaker, whether it be in the running game, passing game, or as a returner. For the second year in a row he’s among the nation’s leaders in total yards from scrimmage.

However, I have concerns about McCaffrey’s size and build. I wonder how well he’ll hold up at the next level as a featured back. He’s seems better suited as a utility player or change-of-pace guy than a true three-down halfback in an NFL offense. Granted, he’s still a guy that can do a lot on the field, and in the right offense, be a very effective player.

Williams is the overlooked running back prospect. He’s a bruising downhill runner with good speed and cutback ability that can carry the ball 20-25 times a game. He’s such an explosive runner. He was on a pace to have a monster 2016 season, but an ankle injury in late October hindered him down the stretch. A significant knee injury last year has also hurt his overall draft stock.

Other Notable RB Prospects: D’Onta Foreman (Texas), Royce Freeman (Oregon), Kareem Hunt (Toledo), Corey Clement (Wisconsin), Samaje Perine (Oklahoma), Donnel Pumphrey (San Diego State), Jeremy McNichols (Boise State), Brian Hill (Wyoming)