The Green Bay Packers made a major splash in the opening week of free agency, signing All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs to replace Aaron Jones. Now, they need to give him all the help he needs.
From improving the run blocking to upgrading the depth behind Jacobs, the Packers must do everything possible to get the best out of him.
While Green Bay's offensive line played well last season, run blocking was an issue. Per ESPN, the Packers ranked 16th in run block win rate. Jones often had to make the best out of limited rushing lanes that opened, but AJ Dillon finished with a career-low 3.4 yards per carry. Strengthening the backfield could also be on the Packers' to-do list entering the draft. They re-signed Dillon to a team-friendly deal, but it's no guarantee he will make the 53-man roster.
The Packers can upgrade the run game in the draft, and these five prospects would help Jacobs reach his All-Pro best.
5. Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Green Bay has already moved on from David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, and Jon Runyan Jr. this offseason, leaving them with little offensive line depth. Duke's Graham Barton can play across the line, providing the depth and versatility the Packers desperately need.
Despite playing left tackle in college, Barton will likely move to guard or center in the NFL. His upside is greater at an interior position, but his experience at tackle is valuable.
Barton could immediately compete for a starting job at right guard or center in the Packers' offense. He is an excellent run-blocker and could give Green Bay an upgrade at either position, which is good news for Jacobs.
4. Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Josiah Deguara never lived up to his third-round potential, leaving the Packers with a missing piece in Matt LaFleur's offense. They hoped Deguara could play the Kyle Juszczyk role, but he never showed enough consistency as a blocker to earn full-time snaps.
The Packers significantly upgraded the tight end room last offseason by drafting Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Kansas State's Ben Sinnott would complete the rebuild, slotting into Deguara's H-back role while having the versatility to move around.
"Even at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Sinnott might be best used as an H-back in the NFL, but he's a natural pass-catcher and a physical blocker who could go in Round 4 at the draft," writes ESPN's Jordan Reid.
Sinnott offers plenty of potential as a pass-catcher, but the Packers will love his run-blocking ability. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the only college tight end to earn 75-plus grades in receiving and run-blocking last season.
An excellent performance at the NFL Combine earned Sinnott a Relative Athletic Score of 9.75 out of 10, something the Packers will have paid attention to.
The best part is he wouldn't be limited to one role—Sinnott can play everywhere. While he would primarily be used to block, his 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season highlight his effectiveness as a pass-catcher.
3. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Another way to help Josh Jacobs is to upgrade the running back room around him. There was a noticeable drop-off in production once Aaron Jones came off the field last season. He averaged 4.6 yards per attempt, but AJ Dillon lacked big plays at an average of 3.6. Emanuel Wilson may see an increase in snaps, but can he become a significant contributor?
Tennessee's Jaylen Wright would be an ideal complement to Jacobs, and he has drawn comparisons to Jones.
Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright reminds me a LOT of Aaron Jones.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) February 20, 2024
Almost identical size. Patient runners with explosive quickness when they see a crease. Wright has more top-end speed than Jones, but if the #Packers want a guy to run their same Jones runs, he's someone to watch.
Wright has game-changing speed. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, helping him earn an outstanding Relative Athletic Score of 9.80. Wright can run past defenders and turn a small gain into a home run, something Jones did frequently in Green Bay.
A Jacobs-Wright backfield would give the Packers an outstanding thunder-and-lightning combination, with Dillon and Wilson providing backup. Jacobs is tough to bring down and forces missed tackles. As defenses begin to tire, Wright's speed would give them all kinds of problems.
By drafting Wright, the Packers would have two running backs capable of playing in a featured role, and their styles would complement each other perfectly. And with Dillon as the No. 3, Green Bay would have one of the league's deepest backfields.
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Upgrading the interior offensive line is an absolute must for the Packers. Elgton Jenkins is the only guaranteed starter at guard or center, and the Packers lost their starting right guard, Jon Runyan Jr., in free agency.
Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson can play any of the three interior offensive line spots. Right guard is the most pressing need along Green Bay's offensive line, but Powers-Johnson could also be an upgrade over Josh Myers as the starting center.
Want to improve your run game with Josh Jacobs? Draft Powers-Johnson, who Pro Football Focus named the strongest run blocker in the class.
"He earned an 85.2 PFF run-blocking grade with a 15.7% positively graded run-blocking percentage, and he only recorded a negative run-blocking play on 10.5% of his run-blocking snaps," writes Trevor Sikkema of PFF.
The Packers don't tend to draft interior offensive linemen on the opening day of the draft, but Powers-Johnson is worth making an exception for. He has Pro Bowl potential no matter where he lines up and is outstanding in both the pass and run games. The interior offensive line was an issue for the Packers last season, especially in run-blocking. Powers-Johnson would go a long way to fixing that.
1. Taliese Fuaga, T/G, Oregon State
There's a good chance Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga will be gone before the Packers hit the clock at No. 25, but he would be a home-run selection if he falls that far. Green Bay may view Fuaga as a guard, but it doesn't matter where he lines up—he is one of the best offensive linemen in the class.
"Arguably the top run-blocking lineman in the draft, Fuaga is quick into contact and creates immediate displacement with his aggressive mentality and stiff, controlled hands," writes The Athletic's Dane Brugler.
Taliese Fuaga shouldn't be THAT large - and get off the ball THAT quickly
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 14, 2024
He can FLY out of his stance! Whether in pass sets, rocketing up to the 2nd level or backside reaches/seals
Kelechi Osemele, Trey Smith type of size + power/quickness combo
Can be my RG for next 10yrs
Fuaga played right tackle in college, but some teams may prefer him to line up at guard, making him a perfect replacement for Jon Runyan Jr. A combination of Fuaga and Zach Tom on the right side of the Packers' offensive line could be as good as any in the league, making life far easier for Josh Jacobs.
He is also an outstanding pass protector. Per PFF, Fuaga didn't allow a sack in his final two seasons at Oregon State.
The Packers need to upgrade the offensive line to give Jacobs a chance to become an All-Pro in this offense. Drafting Fuaga in the first round would be a game-changing move for Green Bay's rushing attack.