Packers coach hints at new position for AJ Dillon after drafting MarShawn Lloyd
The Green Bay Packers have one of the deepest and most talented backfields in football following the arrival of Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd.
Jacobs will lead the way, and Lloyd should get plenty of opportunities early in his career. How the Packers use AJ Dillon will be fascinating.
Will Dillon resume his role as the No. 2 running back or will he fall down the depth chart behind Lloyd? The two running backs offer different skill sets, allowing head coach Matt LaFleur to use them in the ideal situations.
The Packers didn't make a significant commitment to Dillon by re-signing him to a rare four-year qualifying offer this offseason, which is about as team-friendly a deal as you will find. However, it sounds like LaFleur has a plan for the former second-round pick.
In March, LaFleur hinted at a new role for Dillon, praising his versatility. LaFleur said Dillon could be more of a "moveable piece" and "not just a tailback" in this offense.
What exactly does that mean? Running backs coach Ben Sirmans potentially shed some light this week.
AJ Dillon 'capable' of taking on H-back responsibilities in Packers offense
Josiah Deguara's departure creates the need for someone to fill the H-back position in LaFleur's offense. Fullback Henry Pearson and tight end Ben Sims are potential candidates, but could Dillon take on some of those duties?
Sirmans believes so.
“I think he’s definitely capable,” said Sirmans on AJ Dillon doing some of the H-back responsibilities Deguara had.
— Paul Bretl (@Paul_Bretl) May 8, 2024
It's understandable why they would consider it. Dillon's ability to break tackles and even catch passes out of the backfield would allow LaFleur to get creative. He also praised Dillon's pass protection.
The question is whether Dillon can take on the lead-blocking duties. Has he shown enough over the past four seasons to believe he would be a better option than Pearson or Sims in that role? There's no doubt his ability as a runner and receiver would create all kinds of possibilities with him in the H-back role, but it only works if his blocking is good enough.
It's worth a shot. Dillon's chances of consistently getting double-digit carries decreased when the Packers drafted Lloyd. Jacobs and Lloyd will likely take on the majority of the carries, and Green Bay also has high hopes for second-year Emanuel Wilson.
LaFleur could find other ways to get Dillon on the field. It could greatly benefit the offense if he can transition to play snaps in the H-back role. But it's a big if.
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