AJ Dillon

[Tony Oday]

What do you think? I mean he has tree trunk legs 4.53 speed, I mean is this a modern day Christian Okoye? or just an overgrown dude that will flame out.

[RashanGary]

Hopefully earl campbell

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Poor man’s Brandon Jacobs.

[GB-Brandon]

High RAS talented player that actually had the production to match. Dominator rating was there. Had high production against stacked boxes. Sounds like he can catch. If he can learn how to block consistently he will be a valuable weapon.

This is a pick I am not worried about.

[Vincenzo]

I don’t know if the buzz about this Dillon is just simply preseason hype or if he’s really gonna make an impact with the team.
Something tells me we already have superstar Aaron Jones with Jamaal Williams to compliment him, so how much more can Dillion add, I’m not so sure.

You gotta keep reminding yourself that he’s a running back. So if you’re any sort of Packer fan you gotta dream that Dillon ends up playing more as a Tight End/running back that can catch about 20 yards out and run like a big madman to daylight, and if he wants to look like Hercules doing it, that’ll be just fine.

[RashanGary]

Jamal Williams worked his ass off training to be a pass catcher in the offseason. His trainer posted a lot of good stuff over the offseason on Twitter. And now, he was already a good pass catcher so I’m sure Jamal will be even better in 2020 in his contract year. He’s also a great pass protector and has a knack for big screen plays. Perfect 3rd down skillset.

Aaron Jones is already an excellent all around RB. Looking at camp pics he’s clearly in the best shape of his career and looks to be even better. No way a rookie takes his snaps barring injuries.

Dillon is a short yardage specialist in year 1. Bet on it.

Next year a much bigger role should be in store with Williams (or Jones) gone.

[RashanGary]

And Aaron Rodgers said many times last year what a luxury it was that he had running backs that he had chemistry with and could count on. Both guys catch passes well and pass block with consistent veteran presence. Highly doubt Rodgers will sign up for a heavy rookie running back dose in 2020 when he has such a reliable and game breaking every down option and a Taylor made third down back in the fold.

I keep thinking Jones is expendable with Dillon and the cheaper Jamal Williams as long term options. But Aaron is such a perfectionist and stickler. He just loves playing with Jones. Jones and Adams are about as good of a 1/2 skill pair in the league. It’s just enough for Aaron to make some serious hay with as his dependable go to’s.

[RashanGary]

If Aaron Jones gets extended, he has Packer HOFer and one of Aaron Rodgers twilight great chemistry co-stars written all over him.

[RashanGary]

The other reason I see Jones as really signable. If you extend him right now for 3 years at top 3 RB salary, you average in that last cheap year of his rookie deal and that’s a real reasonable contract for a star running back. It also happens to get you four years, just in time to pay Dillon if he’s a star too, and let Jones walk as he approaches 30.

[texaspackerbacker]

That sounds about right regarding Jones. I also don't have much doubt they will keep him. When you have a person that good and good character too, you retain him. I'm thinking (but less sure) that we retain Jamal Williams too, and if Dillon is nearly as good as it seems like he might be, there should be plenty of room and plenty of carries for him too.

[Upnorth]

If dillion is above average jones is gone. Why pay superstar back dollars in a low cap year? Save it for another position.

[gbgary]

If dillion is above average jones is gone. Why pay superstar back dollars in a low cap year? Save it for another position.

exactly. i hope dillon kicks butt.

[RashanGary]

If dillion is above average jones is gone. Why pay superstar back dollars in a low cap year? Save it for another position.

It crosses my mind too. Really hope Lazard develops fast chemistry with Rodgers this year. That would seal the deal for me. Rodgers needs two talented guys he can rely on.

I let go Lindsey, Taylor, Mercedes and Aaron Jones next year.

I keep Clark, King and Bakh.


We have two more years before we would lose Alexander and I’m sure that would work itself out. Keeping the King, Alexander, Amos, Savage secondary together for the next three years would be huge for our defense. Plus we have Z, P and Clark for that timeframe too. The defense could be top tier for Rodgers twilight, which might be better than an offensive leaning team.

[RashanGary]

I’m a big Jones fan though. I would not be upset in the slightest keeping him. Him and AR have chemistry. Dillon is cheap for 4 years. It’s doable. Jones would just transition to the 3rd down role when Williams leaves. He and Dillon would split regular downs with Dillon taking all short yardage. That’s not bad either.

But really, more ideally, Williams gets a modest deal as a 3rd down specialist with Dillon on a cheap rookie deal and that opens up money else where.

It’s just a lot of ifs. Hard to get a full bead on what is going to be the best move there.

[run pMc]

I really like Aaron Jones, but I'd rather keep Bahk than Jones. Pro Bowl LTs are usually franchise cornerstones, RBs are more easily replaced. Not sure they can keep both, plus Dillon and Dexter are being groomed as the replacements.

[RashanGary]

I really like Aaron Jones, but I'd rather keep Bahk than Jones. Pro Bowl LTs are usually franchise cornerstones, RBs are more easily replaced. Not sure they can keep both, plus Dillon and Dexter are being groomed as the replacements.

You guys are making a ton of sense. If Lazard and Dillon become players (two likely ifs) this is such a no brainer, it wouldn’t even be a conversation.

But so many ifs exist, nothing is guaranteed to work. I guess that’s why only one team wins the SB every year.

[Upnorth]

It crosses my mind too. Really hope Lazard develops fast chemistry with Rodgers this year. That would seal the deal for me. Rodgers needs two talented guys he can rely on.

I let go Lindsey, Taylor, Mercedes and Aaron Jones next year.

I keep Clark, King and Bakh.


We have two more years before we would lose Alexander and I’m sure that would work itself out. Keeping the King, Alexander, Amos, Savage secondary together for the next three years would be huge for our defense. Plus we have Z, P and Clark for that timeframe too. The defense could be top tier for Rodgers twilight, which might be better than an offensive leaning team.

Lindsey is important hate to see him go.
I do see our d staying together 3 more years and improving along the way. I love how open our sbout window is especially how mvs and lizard are doing in camp ( from what I have read). This is the most optimism I have had since 2012.

[RashanGary]

A run game, legit defense and HOF QB still in his prime with davante. What could possibly go wrong?

[texaspackerbacker]

This talk about letting Linsley and even Aaron Jones go in order to keep damn overrated Bakhtiari PISSES ME OFF.

Hopefully, the GM and coaching staff have better sense than some posters talking that way.

[run pMc]

This talk about letting Linsley and even Aaron Jones go in order to keep damn overrated Bakhtiari PISSES ME OFF.

Hopefully, the GM and coaching staff have better sense than some posters talking that way.

Bahktiari was voted 2nd team AP All-Pro and Sporting News All-Pro last year. The AP team, with first-team and second-team selections, was chosen by a national panel of fifty NFL writers and broadcasters. The Sporting News All-NFL team was voted on by NFL players and executives. These aren't votes from fans, but from peers and professionals in the business.

You know who else from the Packers made All-Pro last year? NOBODY. Not Linsley, not Jones, not Adams, not even Rodgers. You might not think Bahktiari is good, but a LOT of people in the business would disagree.

[Freak Out]

Jones isn't going anywhere except to the SB with Arod and the rest of the team.

[texaspackerbacker]

+ 1 to that!

[RashanGary]

Jones isn't going anywhere except to the SB with Arod and the rest of the team.

We’ll see. Teams with high paid running backs fail. We have Dillon and the much cheaper Williams. We don’t have another LT or a corner after King. We’ll see.

I’m torn. I don’t want to lose him and think they’ll try to keep him. Just not sure. Gute seems to value defense much more than TT did.

[texaspackerbacker]

Bahktiari was voted 2nd team AP All-Pro and Sporting News All-Pro last year. The AP team, with first-team and second-team selections, was chosen by a national panel of fifty NFL writers and broadcasters. The Sporting News All-NFL team was voted on by NFL players and executives. These aren't votes from fans, but from peers and professionals in the business.

You know who else from the Packers made All-Pro last year? NOBODY. Not Linsley, not Jones, not Adams, not even Rodgers. You might not think Bahktiari is good, but a LOT of people in the business would disagree.

All of which shows the stupidity of those "peers" and professional media shitheads.

[RashanGary]

I like king better than Jones, I’m one of the few.

[Upnorth]

How does z not get an AP nod even 2nd string??? Or Clark???

[Bretsky]

Jones isn't going anywhere except to the SB with Arod and the rest of the team.


qre you referring to short term, or two years from now when they'll both be playing elsewhere ? :)))

[texaspackerbacker]

How does z not get an AP nod even 2nd string??? Or Clark???

Like I said, those media pukes are stupid.

[texaspackerbacker]

I like king better than Jones, I’m one of the few.

King is #2 on my shit list, but way behind Bakhtiari.

[run pMc]

All of which shows the stupidity of those "peers" and professional media shitheads.

LOL I knew you were going to say that.
Reminder: those peers are NFL players and executives. If you're watching film and/or lining up against him, you probably know exactly how good he is.
You are certainly welcome to have your own opinion, bear in mind it doesn't jive with most pros.

http://packerrats.com/showthread.php?31375-McGinn-s-2019-Packer-Player-Grades

By McGinn's count, Linsley allowed the most bad runs on the line, and as many sacks as Bahk... plus he's "on the smaller side" and the "back problem that knocked him out of the second Lions game bears watching in the future." I like Linsley a lot but I'd rather have Patrick and Bahk on the OL over Linsley and Marshmellow Newhouse.

As for Dillon, it sounds like he's impressed in camp. Imagine if he pans out like prime Lacy, and is paired with Jones and Ervin. That could be a lot of fun.
Interested to see if the offense can grind down teams until victory formation.

[texaspackerbacker]

I never liked McGinn even more so than most of those pukes. It is a little bit troubling about those "peers" having a high opinion of Bakhtiari. I suspect, though, most of them don't go by first hand knowledge so much as what they get from the damn media.

As I recall, it was House, not Newhouse, and what I see from Bakhtiari isn't substantially better than what House did. I wouldn't be surprised if we could put Linsley or Patrick at LT, and they would perform better than Bakhtiari.

Dillon in his films looks as good or better than Lacy in his very short prime. Sure, that was against college competition, but the speed was as impressive as the tackle breaking. I don't have a very high opinion of Ervin either - not even close to the breakaway speed of Jones, and not much power running ability at all. He seems like a good kick returner, but only because the others were so crappy.

I really hate to say bad things about Packer players, but it rubs me the wrong way that I keep hearing praise for three of those I have the lowest opinions of - Bakhtiari, King, and Ervin.

[Upnorth]

I never liked McGinn even more so than most of those pukes. It is a little bit troubling about those "peers" having a high opinion of Bakhtiari. I suspect, though, most of them don't go by first hand knowledge so much as what they get from the damn media.

As I recall, it was House, not Newhouse, and what I see from Bakhtiari isn't substantially better than what House did. I wouldn't be surprised if we could put Linsley or Patrick at LT, and they would perform better than Bakhtiari.

Dillon in his films looks as good or better than Lacy in his very short prime. Sure, that was against college competition, but the speed was as impressive as the tackle breaking. I don't have a very high opinion of Ervin either - not even close to the breakaway speed of Jones, and not much power running ability at all. He seems like a good kick returner, but only because the others were so crappy.

I really hate to say bad things about Packer players, but it rubs me the wrong way that I keep hearing praise for three of those I have the lowest opinions of - Bakhtiari, King, and Ervin.

Lindsay at tackle would be probably a bad idea. Different skill set.

[Freak Out]

qre you referring to short term, or two years from now when they'll both be playing elsewhere ? :)))

Two years from now. lol

[texaspackerbacker]

Lindsay at tackle would be probably a bad idea. Different skill set.

Didn't Mike Flanagan make that switch - fairly successfully? A lot of college guys do that too.

[gbgary]

I’m a big Jones fan though.

me too. i'd love to keep him. they can. they just need to structure his deal the way they did clark's...with the big hits starting in 2022. it's almost like they know they'll have a huge cap windfall ($40m-ish) because of someone very expensive no longer being on the roster in 2021. :whist:

[bobblehead]

Didn't Mike Flanagan make that switch - fairly successfully? A lot of college guys do that too.

Stop while you are behind. While most on this site have a very flawed and poor understanding of OL, you are another notch below. Flanagan and Tretter went from college T to pro C, not the other way around. Flanagan played one game at LT as a pro and while not pissing all over himself, he wasn't stellar either. Linsley could NEVER play pro Tackle. It would be a Kenosha sized train wreck.

[RashanGary]

me too. i'd love to keep him. they can. they just need to structure his deal the way they did clark's...with the big hits starting in 2022. it's almost like they know they'll have a huge cap windfall ($40m-ish) because of someone very expensive no longer being on the roster in 2021. :whist:

I always revert back to thinking I know it all. But it's helpful to hear some good points that I didn't think of to keep me humbled.

[run pMc]

me too. i'd love to keep him. they can. they just need to structure his deal the way they did clark's...with the big hits starting in 2022. it's almost like they know they'll have a huge cap windfall ($40m-ish) because of someone very expensive no longer being on the roster in 2021. :whist:

IIRC the TV deal is up for renegotiation then, which would likely mean a big jump in the cap. It could also mean something else, of course...
As it is, they don't have much cap space to work with if we assume it will go down because of Covid. I'm hearing 175M + they will have some carryover if they don't spend it. They can do some things to cook the cap with bonuses & salaries, but not a lot. They will have to be very creative to sign players, as will many teams.

[texaspackerbacker]

Those last four words say it all. It's a near sure thing that the best players are gonna be playing somewhere/not go unsigned. Therefore, the Packers are not worse off than a lot of other teams in their chances to sign people. Also, as I probably said before, we just don't need that much additional right now.

[bobblehead]

I like king better than Jones, I’m one of the few.

I'm with you, tag and trade Jones. If you can nail a 2nd for him Gutes can piss it away.

[bobblehead]

IIRC the TV deal is up for renegotiation then, which would likely mean a big jump in the cap. It could also mean something else, of course...
As it is, they don't have much cap space to work with if we assume it will go down because of Covid. I'm hearing 175M + they will have some carryover if they don't spend it. They can do some things to cook the cap with bonuses & salaries, but not a lot. They will have to be very creative to sign players, as will many teams.

Don't be so sure about that big cap jump. The NBA ratings are cratering for some unknown reason and advertisers don't pay much for only a few viewers. It remains to be seen if the same strange unexplainable phenomenon hits the NFL or not.

[texaspackerbacker]

Unknown reason hahahahahaha? Hopefully the NFL won't be as God damned stupid as the NBA and MLB. Or were you just following the great rand tradition of sarcasm?

[RashanGary]

I'm with you, tag and trade Jones. If you can nail a 2nd for him Gutes can piss it away.

4 straight years of Alexander king savage and Amos.... by the end of this season and for two more years we would have the best combination of speed AND continuity to allow mixed coverages in the NFL. And whoever the nickel and dime are, being next to a group that has so much experience would allow them to rise to the level quicker cuz everybody is doing it right! I envision this for sure. And I like this idea more than keeping Jones.

[RashanGary]

Sign King now and we have a high paid corner. Wait till after a healthy 2020 where he’s clearly in the best shape of his career and has the weight now that will allow him to perform at the highest.... wait and he’ll be one of the highest paid corners on some other team. But do it now and his contract would be reasonable. High paid, but not through the roof.

[RashanGary]

Word from 1265 (RB coach pressconference) is that Jamal Williams made huge strides as a route runner and pass catcher. Also quicker than last year.

3rd down backs primary responsibility is pass protection. That’s why John Kuhn was the 3rd down back for so many years. Maybe he wasn’t gonna catch any 20 yard passes or be very dynamic as a screen player, but the pass protection was guaranteed for 12. That opened up a lot of big passes.

Williams brings that reliability plus screen game and now route running and pass catching. This will the the best 3rd down running back Rodgers has ever played with. I would bet anyone anytime that Williams is our primary third down running back.

[Bretsky]

Word from 1265 (RB coach pressconference) is that Jamal Williams made huge strides as a route runner and pass catcher. Also quicker than last year.

3rd down backs primary responsibility is pass protection. That’s why John Kuhn was the 3rd down back for so many years. Maybe he wasn’t gonna catch any 20 yard passes or be very dynamic as a screen player, but the pass protection was guaranteed for 12. That opened up a lot of big passes.

Williams brings that reliability plus screen game and now route running and pass catching. This will the the best 3rd down running back Rodgers has ever played with. I would bet anyone anytime that Williams is our primary third down running back.


Williams isn't half the receiving threat Aaron Jones is. If he's in as a receiver over Jones it's a travesty. It's a good thing our RB's are strong; they will hide how crappy our overall receiving talent is :)))

[Patler]

Williams isn't half the receiving threat Aaron Jones is.

If you mean "threat", I agree.
If you actually mean "performer", I'm not sure that I do. Jones showed improvement last year in catching and blocking. Williams is the better blocker and had much better hands than Jones the first two years. I can see Williams as the more frequent 3rd down back. He won't be the "threat" Jones is, but may get the job done more often.

[Bretsky]

If you mean "threat", I agree.
If you actually mean "performer", I'm not sure that I do. Jones showed improvement last year in catching and blocking. Williams is the better blocker and had much better hands than Jones the first two years. I can see Williams as the more frequent 3rd down back. He won't be the "threat" Jones is, but may get the job done more often.



It seems like Gutebag has set GB up nicely to dump Jones if that is what they don't want to pay him

[Patler]

Word from 1265 (RB coach pressconference) is that Jamal Williams made huge strides as a route runner and pass catcher. Also quicker than last year.


Jamal, or Dexter? I read those comments about Dexter Williams, too. I thought Jamal was already thought of as a good route runner with decent hands.

[RashanGary]

Jamal, or Dexter? I read those comments about Dexter Williams, too. I thought Jamal was already thought of as a good route runner with decent hands.

I think Jamal has had more pass catching opportunities, especially with McCarthy. Jamal has had more consistency than Aaron Jones with pass protection so he’s seen more passing downs.

Kuhn could get 6 yards in the flat. He could get 2 yards when needed. Other than that, he was an A+ pass protector and took most of the third down snaps because that aspect opens up the offense.

Jamal now is that guy, except he can do more. His route running has greatly improved, he’s quicker. He still has a great feel for screens im sure and a top notch pass protector. Just hitting his prime as far as play chemistry with 12. I envision Williams taking most 3rd down snaps and passing Kuhn as the most valuable 3rd down RB of the Rodgers era. By most valuable, I mean the first consistent, smart pass protection back who gives AR time to open up the field and can also Double as a guy who makes things happen in the screeen and pass game.

[Bretsky]

Williams is so good as the blocker. He just sticks people. AJO tries to too but he's just not fricking big enough

[RashanGary]

Jamal Williams got the best pass blocking grade of all running backs from Pff over the last two years. I have no doubt he’s our third down back. And I believe he’s the best third down back of Aaron Rodgers career. Rodgers loved having Kuhn because he was so reliable. Williams is almost as sharp as Kuhn, catches screens better, runs routes better and is a better runner.

I really think, with Williams making such gains as a receiver and being more explosive..... he’s going to see a lot of snaps with Aaron Jones because I also think Williams could lead block effectively. And that pass pro reliability opens 12 up to do a lot of things.

[RashanGary]

I’ve been saying this for a little bit, but keeping Jones, Williams, Dillon and swerv.... I think we can see a lot more Jones/Williams together this year. Rodgers loves both guys cuz he has chemistry with them.

Williams could lead block or pass block, opening up Jones to either run a route on a linebacker or run against a small front. Also, the screen game is sick with Williams in. I just see so many options with his blocking and pass catching versatility. Almost like Kyle Juzcek (spelling) in SF.

[RashanGary]

If it’s Williams (who’s a good pass catcher, elite nfl pass blocker, decent runner and probably a solid run blocker, but we haven’t seen)

Or

Deguara, who has a perfect skill set but is a rookie


With our QB, I’m going Williams every time in 2020. And if Dillon shows up and shows signs of being legit, keeping Williams for cheap next year and letting Jones go looks more and more probable. Dillon every down next year. Williams best third down back in league (as it pertains to working with 12)

[RashanGary]

Pettine shows no emotion, but he’s about as excited as I’ve ever seen him about the sevondary. Said those guys really know how to work together after playing together in the same defense for a while. Mentioned sully, king, Alexander, Amos and savage. Said he’s gonna lean on them a lot in what they do.

Being so smart and athletic, experienced and still young. No way Gute breaks up the band for Aaron Jones.

[bobblehead]

I have to ask. Why did we draft AJ Dillon to sit on the bench so I could watch our regular RBs continue to get stuffed in short yardage situations? I think the 4th and 1 carry, Dillon would have trucked someone for the first where Jones came up short.

[Bossman641]

I have to ask. Why did we draft AJ Dillon to sit on the bench so I could watch our regular RBs continue to get stuffed in short yardage situations? I think the 4th and 1 carry, Dillon would have trucked someone for the first where Jones came up short.

X1000

Put him in and give him a chance to run somebody over.

[Upnorth]

Injury? Fumbles in practice?

[run pMc]

I have to ask. Why did we draft AJ Dillon to sit on the bench so I could watch our regular RBs continue to get stuffed in short yardage situations? I think the 4th and 1 carry, Dillon would have trucked someone for the first where Jones came up short.

Jones is pretty slippery, especially on the goal line. Jamaal is pretty tough and basically always falls forward. But yeah, I was hoping they would put AJ in...all he ever saw at BC was a loaded box.
The NO defense had that 4th down play pretty well beaten though if you watch it. Jones had nowhere to go and Lattimore cleaned him up on the 2nd effort.

[George Cumby]

I'm thinking he's underwhelmed in practice OR they are keeping him fresh/under wraps for later in the season ala: James Starks.