Can Packers Running Back A.J. Dillon Bounce Back in 2024?
By GilMartin
Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon finds himself at a critical point in his career as training camp gets under way. The former Boston College star signed a one-year, team-friendly contract to stay with the Packers. Now, he has to have a strong season to get his career back on track.
In 2023, Dillon struggled and had his worst statistical season since his rookie campaign. Last season, Dillon gained 613 yards on 178 carries. That gave him a 3.4-yard average per carry, the first time in his NFL career his average gain fell below four.
Dillon had a chance to shine last season when first-string running back Aaron Jones missed six games and was on a snap count in many others. Unfortunately, he was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. The team’s running game struggled when they relied on Dillon to be their primary ball carrier.
Most people expected Dillon to leave Green Bay during the offseason and for Jones to stay. Instead, Jones signed with the Vikings as a free agent while Dillon took an unusual contract to remain with the Pack.
Nothing is guaranteed for Dillon this year. It wouldn’t cost the Packers much money to release him before the season starts. There is also a lot of competition for a roster spot since the Packers added former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in free agency and used a third-round pick on USC’s MarShawn Lloyd. Second-year man, Emanuel Wilson is also back to compete for a roster spot after he led the NFL in rushing yards during the preseason a year ago.
The good news is that Dillon came to training camp in excellent shape and determined to prove he belongs on the roster.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has liked what he’s seen from Dillon at OTAs and during the first week of training camp.
“This is the best I’ve seen him. Hands down and I think he’d tell you the same,” LaFleur said on Tuesday. “It’s a testament to the work he’s put in. He came back and he’s in great shape. I was joking with him the other day. You can see the abs on him. That’s hard for a big man to do. He looks like he’s in great shape, I think he’s in a great place mentally. Obviously, we know what he’s capable of doing. I think he’s in a really good position to show his best.”
Dillon does have an advantage over the other backs on the roster in his fight for a roster spot. Dillon’s ability to run inside, between the tackles and to run with power is different than the running style of the other backs on the roster.
In addition, Dillon has additional opportunities to show the coaching staff what he can do early in training camp. Lloyd is currently not practicing due to a hip injury. While the injury is not considered long-term, it could make it tougher for Lloyd to learn the offense and prove to the coaching staff that he deserves to be the number two running back on the roster.
The key to that for Lloyd may be his ability to identify and pick up blitzes and pass block and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. These are two areas that Dillon has already proven he can handle and handle well.
Dillon is determined to prove he can still get the job done. “Just be the best I can,” Dillon told reporters when asked about his goals this season. “I’m leaving no regrets, man. “[I’m] doing every single thing I can and try to get better every day. Best offseason I've had. Year five in the offense. I know what I'm doing. I’m leaving no stone unturned.”
We’ll see if Dillon can turn his strong first impression into a strong season. His future will be determined by how well he performs.
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Comments (22)
jvole
July 25, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Ok, in the last couple of seasons, I do not really remember being impressed by Dillon's "...ability to run inside, between the tackles and to run with power ". He doesn't have the inside vision needed for this and his power is suspect. He really became a one-hit wonder; one hit and he was down with maybe a fall-ahead for 1.5 yards. I would guess he got stuffed on more needed short yardage plays than he converted. Honestly, he seemed best off-tackle or on misdirection.
But I hope everything we hear about him this preseason is true because the man loves Wisconsin, and its hard not love him for that!
TKWorldWide
July 26, 2024 at 07:16 am
I was so excited when they drafted him. His pro comp was Steven Jackson; one of my all-time favorites!
He’s been a decent pro, but I’ve been disappointed at his lack of power/tackle breaking ability. Was I expecting too much? Possibly.
But like you said, he’s a model citizen and an awesome teammate. Can he improve in year 5? It won’t be for lack of trying. I’d love to see him run with decisive violence this year!
GPG!
SicSemperTyrannis
July 26, 2024 at 11:08 am
His power is absolutely NOT suspect. His violence is. This is a VIOLENT game, and especially at his position. The run blocking he received was also suspect. Certainly he needs run blocking much more than Aaron Jones, and Josh Jacobs is only slightly different in that regard.
It all starts with the O line. This off-season is much like the one before Favre won his Lombardi in that the prior season they came "this close," and entered the off-season with a vengeance. That type of killer attitude carrying right through to meeting the most expensive offense in the NFL in Brazil in week one is necessary. It would also help #28 balance his new-found peace in his role with the level of VIOLENCE I'm trying to describe and if he can do that he can also do "the Kyle Jusczyk role" meaning lead blocker for Josh Jacobs after our O line beats their D line and springs them to the next level. #28 can absolutely road grade through anyone in that scenario, and from there Josh Jacobs is a legitimate threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. This role also includes opposing defenses knowing #28 won't just do that but is also a viable weapon in both the passing and running game. How is an opposing defense supposed to scheme for THAT?!? And would YOU want to step in front of #28 with Josh Jacobs barreling behind him?!? How many people in the league would really even try?
Make the NFL FEAR coming to Lambeau Field again!
And we haven't even mentioned WR/TE. No pressure but I don't want just a Lombardi, I want a DYNASTY! One that truly started last season, and redeems the Favre / Rogers era only having 3 SBs and 2 Lombardis.
GPG!!
JDH1313
July 25, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I would love to see him figure it out but he hasn't in 4 years so the odds say no, He needs to hit the holes with speed and also have the speed to make the corner like Aaron Jones did. He always relies on power and it doesn't work all the time.
SicSemperTyrannis
July 26, 2024 at 11:47 am
Last season I said I wanted to see #28 come back having worked on trying to regain his draft day speed. Apparently he listened because he's now 5% bodyfat. Still, I wouldn't expect him to ever be able to get around the corner like Aaron Jones. Whether Emmanuel Wilson or Marshàn Lloyd proves to be better at that remains to be seen, but I don't expect anyone to actually replace what Aaron Jones could do, ever. Josh Jacobs is simply a different player.
It all comes down to the O line ...
GregC
July 25, 2024 at 12:49 pm
There are probably not many RBs who have had a career renaissance in their fifth season. The odds are against him, but I'm open to the idea.
He has run with power and decisiveness at times, which makes me think there could be some untapped potential. Maybe it's a mental thing, and he just needs to find a way to bring the killer instinct week after week.
splitpea1
July 25, 2024 at 01:03 pm
He did put in a lot of work during the off-season, so we could be in for a pleasant surprise. Everyone starts in training camp with a clean slate. Having three quality options for the backfield with one of them being able to grind out tough first downs between the tackles would be terrific.
ottscay
July 25, 2024 at 01:37 pm
Last year was really disappointing, but I'm a huge fan of Dillon the man, so fingers crossed!
Leatherhead
July 25, 2024 at 02:30 pm
Bounce back? He played in 15 games and had over 800 yards total offense, just behind Jones and Reed. Didn't have a single fumble.
Untylu1968
July 25, 2024 at 04:04 pm
Hey leather, easy on the positive vibes! Nobody wants to hear that crap.. We need to focus on and assume doom and gloom first!
GregC
July 25, 2024 at 04:04 pm
He had the worst YPC of his career--well below the league average--and missed the last three games of the season and both playoff games with an injury. Not a good season. That's why he got no decent offers in free agency and re-signed with the Packers on a minimum deal.
Leatherhead
July 25, 2024 at 06:36 pm
He was one of the top,if not THE top, #2 RB in the league. What else do you want? He stayed healthy,did his job, protected the QB and didn't turn the rock over. Oh, and he was one of our yardage leaders., too.
GregC
July 25, 2024 at 08:10 pm
There were at least three who were a lot better than Dillon:
Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) - 182 CAR, 945 YDS, 5.2 AVG, 52 REC, 316 YDS, 11 TD
De’Von Achane (Dolphins) - 103 CAR, 800 YDS, 7.8 AVG, 27 REC, 197 YDS, 11 TD
Jaylen Warren (Steelers) - 149 CAR, 784 YDS, 5.3 AVG, 61 REC, 370 YDS, 4 TD
For comparison, here are Dillon's numbers:
178 CAR, 613 YDS, 3.4 AVG, 22 REC, 223 YDS, 2 TD
Dillon's yards per reception is pretty darn good though. I like it when he gets the ball in space and can build up a head of steam.
Leatherhead
July 25, 2024 at 11:56 pm
So Gibbs and Warren were both the #2 RB for the Lions?
GregC
July 26, 2024 at 03:17 am
Warren plays for the Steelers. I corrected it.
egbertsouse
July 26, 2024 at 07:36 am
Don’t even bother responding to his nonsense. It doesn’t get you anywhere. He’ll just keep manipulating stats to bend reality to fit his narrative.
TheTaxiSquad
July 25, 2024 at 08:45 pm
NFL.com ranked all 72 of the RB’s who started in 2023. They ranked Dillon #38, right behind Tyler Allier and Kareem Hunt and ahead of Khalil Herbert and Alexander Mattison. BTW they ranked Aaron Jones #29 (between Zach Moss and Ezekiel Elliot) and Josh Jacobs was #26 (between Chuba Hubbard and Jaylen Warren). In 2022 Josh Jacobs was #1, Aaron Jones was #10 and Dillon was #32.
Heyward
July 25, 2024 at 04:04 pm
He averaged 3.4 yards per carry.
Leatherhead
July 25, 2024 at 06:55 pm
Let me tell you about yards/carry. You carry the rock 100 times for 4 yards each time. Your average is four. Meaning most of you runs are less than 4 but a few longer ones pull it up. Now, if on ONE of those 100 times, you had busted loose an 80 yarder, your average escalates to 4.8
Again, most runs are short runs. Long runs skew the average quite a bit. I think Dillon got like 200 touches last year, and had a 4.2 average. Rushing is only part of the job......you're also a pass receiver and a pass protector.
I think that just saying his yards/carry was low isn't a very fair analysis of what Dillon brought to the team last year. He was an exceptional #2 back.
Bitternotsour
July 25, 2024 at 10:20 pm
Yes, but some people are miserable and they need to project that into the world. Facts and reality be damned.
TheTaxiSquad
July 25, 2024 at 04:44 pm
His familiarity with the offense and the fact that he is the only ST guy in the RB room should help him. I hope he has the best year of his career.
SicSemperTyrannis
July 26, 2024 at 11:56 am
He's certainly working at it! Gotta love his attitude, being sure to leave no regrets whatever happens :)