Will Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate help the Jets’ running game?
The New York Jets will be working hard to find veterans who can lead the team back to the playoffs as the NFL’s legal tampering free agency period is just hours away from starting.
While the scouts and the fan base as a whole concentrated on strengthening Gang Green’s struggling offensive line, New York will also be looking for offensive help to lighten the load on starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
As a matter of fact, one local publication thinks it might be wise for the Jets to take Green Bay Packers running back and former Aaron Rodgers colleague AJ Dillon into consideration.
“After the Dalvin Cook experiment obviously didn’t work out, the Jets could add a stronger RB2 to complement Breece Hall, who nearly cracked 1,000 rushing yards as a sophomore,” NBC 4 New York noted. Dillon, who turns 26 in 2024, makes sense because he is a former Packer and adds extra running strength to the team. With Aaron Jones at his side last season, Dillon ran for 613 yards and averaged 3.4 yards per carry, so New York should find his price reasonable.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Hall, a four-year veteran, was selected by the Packers in the second round (with the 62nd overall pick). Ever since, he has been lead back Aaron Jones’ reliable supplementary runner. With 16 rushing touchdowns, the Boston College graduate has amassed 2428 yards on 597 carries. He has also been a productive receiver out of the backfield, amassing 86 catches for 763 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with feature back Breece Hall on staff, New York’s backfield depth is a little questionable going into 2024, particularly when it comes to using a pass-catcher out of the backfield. It should come as no surprise that Hall finished first in the category the previous year, hauling in 76 catches for 591 yards and four touchdowns. Following Dalvin Cook’s (December release) 15 receptions for 78 yards after being released and Michael Carter’s (November release) 15 receptions for 68 yards, the output fell off dramatically. Carter and Cook both failed to record a receiving touchdown.
The Jets’ running back depth chart presently includes Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Xazavian Valladay, and Jacques Patrick.