Green Bay Packers 2019 roster review: Jamaal Williams

Reviewing Jamaal Williams’ 2018 season.

After finishing the 2017 season strong, Jamaal Williams was given the opportunity to lead the Green Bay Packers‘ backfield early in the year.

But Williams finished the season with just 464 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Packers rotated carries between their running backs.

Let’s take a look back at Williams’ season.

2018 season in review

With Aaron Jones suspended for the opening two games of the season, Williams was given an opportunity as the featured back. But it didn’t go to plan early on; Williams averaged just 3.4 yards per carry over the two games.

Williams didn’t find the end zone until the Week 8 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.

While still part of the rotation at running back, Williams began to lose touches to Jones as the season went on. That was until Jones went down with an injury late in the season.

Give another opportunity to be the featured back again late in the year with Joe Philbin running the offense, Williams put together two excellent performances. The second-year running back had a combined 27 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 10 receptions for 103 yards in games against the Bears and Jets.

What those two games proved is that Williams can still play an important role in the Green Bay Packers offense, even if Aaron Jones is the featured back.

Looking ahead to 2019 season

It will be interesting to see how new head coach Matt LaFleur uses the running backs.

As Joe Kipp of NFL Spin Zone wrote earlier this week, if the offense LaFleur ran in Tennessee is anything to go by, it will be good news for Green Bay’s running backs:

"“The Titans finished ninth in rushing attempts (454), 12th in yards per carry (4.5) and seventh in total rushing yards (2,023). Tennessee running back Derrick Henry finished the year as a 1,000-yard rusher, averaging 4.9 yards per tote with 12 rushing touchdowns.”"

While Jones is the most efficient running back on the roster, Williams is an excellent pass-blocker and can also be effective as a receiver, which will work well in LaFleur’s offense.

Will the Green Bay Packers add a running back either through free agency or the draft? It’s possible, but Williams will still have an important role next season.