With the Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror and the NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, draft season is in full flow.

The Packers have a need at running back, with A.J. Dillon set to hit free agency and Aaron Jones entering the final year of his contract in his aged 30 season.

There is no Bijan Robinson in this year’s pool, but there are plenty of players who would be valuable additions to Green Bay’s running back room and fit their usual physical preference (Gutekunst has not drafted a running back shorter than 5’9.4”, or lighter than 208 lbs).

Jonathon Brooks - Texas

Brooks is probably the best three-down back in this year’s draft. At an unofficial 6'0”, 207 lbs, he has a blend of athleticism and power which allows him to get the job done in multiple ways as a runner.

The sophomore has great instincts to find holes and the accompanying physical gifts to quickly adjust course and dart through them. He breaks tackles, finishes forward and has enough speed to take it to the house.

His size also makes him a viable pass protector, and the former Longhorn is a threat in the passing game with the capability to turn short catches into big gains.

Unfortunately, his breakout 2023 season was cut short by a November ACL injury, so the Packers would have to be content with the possibility of not getting much out of Brooks as a rookie.

With Jones still in town, though, letting the 20-year-old fully recover and learn from a top veteran back could be an ideal succession plan. Brooks could be a legitimate option for Green Bay with one of their second-round picks.

Trey Benson - Florida State

A bigger back at an unofficial 6’0”, 221 lbs, Benson has the power to churn out yards and the contact balance to take hits and stay on his feet.

Impressively at his size, he showcases the ability to make defenders miss and real speed in the open field. Benson has a great feel for where daylight is and how to follow his blocks.

In the passing game, Benson is willing in protection and has the frame to be a successful blocker with development. He catches the ball cleanly, and although he will likely never be a true difference-maker as a receiver, Benson has the tools to stay on the field on third down.

A gnarly injury history which includes a torn ACL, MCL, lateral meniscus and medial meniscus is a concern, but Benson is another viable day two draft candidate for the Packers.

Braelon Allen - Wisconsin

Speaking of bigger backs, Allen will be no stranger to many Packers fans, and the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native could fill the shoes of pending free agent A.J. Dillon.

At 6’2”, 235 lbs, Allen has the natural build to be a productive power back in the NFL, but it feels like he is still just scratching the surface of his potential. Allen just turned 20 years old so has plenty of room to develop both physically and in terms of technique.

Allen does not consistently make the most of his physical gifts right now, too often taken down by first contact, but the signs are there.

His build allows him to lower his head and truck smaller defenders. He can break tackles and stiff arm his opponents, and has a determination to keep fighting for more yards.

He already has a good feel for the position in terms of finding cut back lanes and reacting to holes filling. Allen can bob and weave through traffic and although he is not a home run hitter, has sufficient speed in the open field, especially for his size.

Naturally, Allen is strong in pass protection, but he can also be seen running a variety of routes out of the backfield and is comfortable catching the ball.

Allen may not have a special trait to make him an elite prospect, but he is surprisingly well-rounded for such a young player and still has the bandwidth to improve. He should be in play for the Packers in the third or fourth round.

Dillon Johnson - Washington

Johnson is another back who may not ever be a star, but has plenty of ingredients to produce consistently.

As a runner, Johnson flashes a bit of everything. He shows elusiveness and intelligence to make defenders miss, decisiveness in his reading of the situation in front of him, and has no problem putting his head down and driving forward for tough yards.

At 6’0”, 218 lbs, he has the strength to shrug off arm tackles and also displays balance to stay upright after contact.

He has value on passing downs, too, with over 150 career catches, he is able to adjust to poorly placed passes to bring them in and turn upfield, showcasing some speed and agility after the catch. At his size, Johnson projects to be able to produce in pass protection as well.

Similar to Roschon Johnson who was drafted a year ago, there is nothing outright special about his namesake Dillon, but he does pretty much everything to a satisfactory, good standard. He could be a valuable addition in the middle rounds.

Dylan Laube - New Hampshire

Laube brings a different flavor and is an extremely fun player. One any offensive play caller would like to have at their disposal.

The standout element of Laube’s game is what he produces as a pass catcher. He makes difficult catches look routine, snatching the ball whether it is high, over his shoulder, one-handed, he can do it all.

He often lined up out wide for New Hampshire and ran a wide variety of routes such as wheels, seams, in breakers, or even at times straight up go routes.

As a runner, Laube is nimble and there is little wasted movement in his cuts. He has the agility to turn tight corners, enough speed to get to the edge, and the vision to spot holes and opportunities as they arise.

A smaller back at a confirmed 5’9.5”, Laube has a firm compact build, weighing in at 210 lbs, giving him enough strength to finish forward, although he would not be confused for a power back.

His lack of size shows up at times in pass pro, and there will be concerns over the level of competition Laube has faced in college, as well as his age (he turns 25 in December), but as a prospective day three pick, Laube could provide value and make a real impact as a change of pace receiving back.