The Green Bay Packers started organized team activities this week and unfortunately that’s not the biggest news coming out of title town. While the news regarding Josh Jacobs is still in the very early stages, the first thing many fans thought of was what would the Packers due at running back in the event the allegations prove true and the team moves on. The running back depth is very thin to say the least. The team did not sign a free agent or draft any players. Outside of undrafted free agent Jaden Nixon they are running back (no pun intended) the same group from a season ago minus Emmanuel Wilson. So can the newcomer make a surprise run at the roster if the opportunity presents itself?

At first glance, Nixon faces an uphill climb. The Packers have former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd who still possesses intriguing upside if he can finally stay healthy (a big IF). Add in veterans like Chris Brooks, Pierre Strong Jr., and rookie Damien Martinez, and it becomes clear the competition will be fierce throughout training camp and the preseason. While Strong Jr. and Martinez have yet to appear in a game for the Packers, they were both draft picks and in Strong’s case has 99 career carries to his name.

Still, Nixon has a very real chance to make this roster, or at the very least position himself as a strong practice squad candidate who could eventually contribute during the season. The reason is simple: he brings explosive playmaking ability and special teams value, two traits that often separate fringe roster players from final cut casualties.

Nixon’s college journey was anything but traditional (are any these days?). He spent time at Oklahoma State, Western Michigan, and UCF, gradually evolving into one of the more dangerous big-play backs in college football. In 2025 at UCF, Nixon averaged an eye-popping 7.8 yards per carry while showcasing home-run speed every time he touched the football. He recorded multiple touchdown runs over 50 yards and added value as a kick returner, including a 96-yard return touchdown. 

That explosiveness is exactly what gives him a fighting chance in Green Bay.

Nixon understands the type of player he is. During the pre-draft process, he openly described himself as an explosive back who can contribute in multiple ways, emphasizing his ability as both a runner and return specialist. The Packers have long valued versatility at the running back position, especially under head coach Matt LaFleur. Green Bay’s offense asks its backs to run wide-zone concepts, catch passes out of the backfield, contribute in protection, and help on special teams. Nixon’s skill set checks several of those boxes immediately.

The biggest thing working in Nixon’s favor may actually be special teams.

Making the back end of an NFL roster often has less to do with offensive snaps and more to do with how many phases of the game a player can impact. Nixon’s experience as both a kickoff and punt returner could become extremely valuable. Green Bay has continued to emphasize improving its return units, and roster spots are often reserved for players who can contribute there immediately. While the signing of Skyy Moore limits that to an extent, his experience there would give him the theoretical edge over Strong or Martinez as we sit here today.

The Packers’ official roster and training camp previews have already highlighted the growing competition at running back behind Jacobs. If Nixon can prove he offers more explosiveness in the return game than some of the veteran depth options, he could quickly force the coaching staff into a difficult decision.

Another factor helping Nixon is Green Bay’s long-standing willingness to keep undrafted players who flash during camp. The Packers are one of the league’s most patient developmental organizations. They routinely prioritize younger players with upside over older veterans with limited ceilings. Nixon fits that mold perfectly. Especially if the team moves on from Jacobs and if Lloyd cant stay healthy, they’ll need the cheap controllable contract that Nixon provides.

Community buzz surrounding Nixon has also steadily grown since rookie minicamp. Packers fans on Reddit and other forums have repeatedly pointed to his highlight tape and speed as reasons he could become this year’s surprise undrafted contributor. One UCF fan described him as “shifty as hell,” while others immediately became intrigued after watching his big-play ability on film. While fan excitement alone means very little in determining roster spots, it does reflect how noticeable Nixon’s explosiveness appears when watching his tape.

There are, however, legitimate hurdles Nixon must overcome if he wants to survive final cuts.

Pass protection will likely determine whether he has a true chance at offensive snaps. Young running backs often struggle to earn trust from coaching staffs because of blocking assignments, especially in offenses that rely heavily on timing and quarterback protection adjustments. LaFleur has historically leaned on backs he trusts in pass protection situations, and that can be difficult for undrafted rookies to master immediately.

Nixon’s size could also limit him in certain short-yardage situations. At around 5-foot-10 and 199 pounds, he is not built like a traditional power runner. That means he will need to consistently prove he can create explosive plays rather than simply grind out tough interior carries. Another factor that might actually work in his favor as Jacobs (if on the roster) Llyod and Brooks are all bigger more powerful backs. Having a more shifty change of pace option could be appealing.

Ball security will also be under the microscope. Coaches can tolerate many mistakes during camp, but turnovers from fringe roster players are often fatal. Nixon’s margin for error will be smaller than that of established veterans or drafted players.

Still, the path to the roster is not unrealistic and could even have improved since the Jacobs news.

The Packers may ultimately decide to keep four running backs plus a return specialist. If Nixon proves he can handle both duties, he suddenly becomes much more valuable than a traditional RB4. Injuries could also open opportunities throughout camp, something that inevitably happens every summer across the league.

Even if Nixon does not initially crack the 53-man roster, the practice squad feels like a very realistic possibility. Green Bay has repeatedly shown a willingness to stash developmental players there and elevate them later in the season when injuries occur or roles evolve.

What makes Nixon especially intriguing is that he brings something different to the room. Jacobs provides power and experience. Brooks offers toughness. Lloyd brings athletic upside. Nixon, meanwhile, brings instant acceleration and big-play potential. Every roster benefits from having at least one player capable of flipping field position with a single touch.

The Packers clearly saw enough in Nixon’s skill set to prioritize him immediately after the draft. That alone matters. Teams aggressively recruit undrafted free agents they genuinely believe fit their system, and Green Bay’s track record suggests they know exactly what type of developmental athlete they want. Training camp will ultimately decide Nixon’s fate, but he absolutely has a legitimate opportunity ahead of him.

If the Packers do have to make a decision one Jacobs, then the options outside the building are not great. It’s possible that changing between now and week 1, but if it doesn’t that’s plenty of time for Nixon to go the way of Emmanuel Wilson and make the roster as an undrafted free agent. Suddenly backup running back might be one of the biggest roster battles on the team.

If he shines on special teams, protects the football, and continues flashing the explosiveness that made him such a dangerous weapon in college, Nixon could become one of the more interesting underdog stories on the Packers’ roster this summer.