Packers pitched to put former high draft pick on trade block

The Green Bay Packers revamped their running back corps this offseason.

General manager Brian Gutekunst made the bold decision to release fan favorite Aaron Jones on the same day the team acquired former NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs in free agency. The Packers doubled down at the position by drafting MarShawn Lloyd in the third round.

A Jacobs-Lloyd combination is the Packers' future, but where does AJ Dillon stand?

The former second-round pick struggled for consistency last season, even while leading the backfield in Jones's absence. The Packers used a rare contract extension to bring him back in free agency, but does this guarantee his future is in Green Bay?

Potential reward for Packers trading AJ Dillon isn't worth it

Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine listed the Packers' top trade candidates this summer, and Dillon made the list.

"Jacobs will be the team's top back to start the season. It's reasonable to assume that Lloyd will be the No. 2 early in the year," writes Ballentine. "That would leave Dillon as the third running back, but they have intriguing young options in Emmanuel Wilson and Jarveon Howard."

Ballentine believes the Packers could put Dillon on the trade block if one of their younger running backs steps up at training camp.

The reasoning makes sense. If Dillon is (at best) the third-string running back, Green Bay may prefer to take a look at one of the younger players on the roster. However, what can the Packers realistically get in a trade for Dillon?

His contract is costing the team next to nothing, but he only has a year remaining. Having averaged only 3.4 yards per carry last season, another team is unlikely to part ways with anything more than a late-Day 3 pick.

Considering his team-friendly contract and ability as a short-yardage runner, pass protector, and even a receiver, the Packers are better off keeping him. Last season proved the importance of running back depth, and having Dillon stick around as the No. 3 running back is fine. Green Bay shouldn't move on for the sake of it.

And if he can get back anywhere close to his best, Dillon could rival Lloyd for the second-most snaps at the position.

His future is very much up in the air, but the Packers shouldn't trade Dillon for the sake of it.

More Packers news and analysis