Green Bay Packers: 2017 midseason rookie report card

Jamaal Williams

Grade: D

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that Williams has been a complete disappointment through seven games in which he’s showcased zero burst or elusiveness.

In a limited sample size, the one-time BYU Cougar is averaging 3.3 yards per carry on 10 rushing attempts.

In his grand opportunity to prove himself worthy of additional playing time in a Week 3 win versus the Bears, Williams fell flat on his face.

He managed only 11 yards on 4 carries in place of (Ty) Montgomery, who was forced to exit the contest with a rib injury.

Aaron Jones was brought in after Williams suffered an injury of his own and appeared infinitely more explosive than his backfield mate.

At 6-feet, 213 pounds, Williams projects as a back with enough size to be a productive inside runner and the 22-year-old, to his credit, flashed that trait in the preseason.

Furthermore, No. 30 has soft hands to be a reliable pass catcher on dump-offs and screens.

But the man needs to operate behind a potent offensive line that will allow him to take advantage of initial space and keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.

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So, yes, Williams is very much a limited back. John Hansen of FantasyGuru.com went as far as describing the young ball carrier as someone who looks like he’s playing in a “suit of armor”.

I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s clear that the fourth-round pick doesn’t project as a feature back and will have to make it as a complementary short-yardage weapon.