The Lass Word: Comparing Aaron Jones to AJ Dillon

Now that Aaron Jones is going to miss at least one or two games, AJ Dillon steps up from being the change-of-pace back, to the featured role.  Will the running game churn on without missing a beat? 

Dillon has certainly shown he can be productive.  He has already carried the ball 97 times for 421 yards and two scores.  He is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, just a shade under Jones average of 4.4.  He has also shown he can handle the receiving aspect of the job, having caught sixteen of eighteen targets for 196 yards.  His fifty yard rumble down the sideline off a screen pass, shedding tacklers all the way, is probably the most memorable play of Green Bay’s win over Seattle.   

But make no mistake.  Jones will be missed.  Comparing Jones and Dillon can be a bit deceptive.  There is the perception that Jones is the speed back while Dillon is the road grader.  Would it surprise you to know that Dillon actually ran a faster forty than Jones?  It’s hard to picture because, where Jones does excel, is in his quickness and explosion.  He also has excellent vision and patience.  He can wait until the hole opens up on the backside of the blocking scheme and then burst through it before the linebackers can react.  When a running play is stuffed up the middle, Jones has the quickness to bounce it outside and win the corner.  Dillon is more likely to lower his pads and charge straight ahead. 

That’s understandable, considering Dillon has always relied on his power.  The way he dragged Bobby Wagner into the end zone from three yards out was a joy to watch.  Jones couldn’t do that.  Which is not to say Jones doesn’t run hard.  In fact, he runs hard enough that it is not unusual to see the coaches use Jones inside the ten yard line.  He rushed for nine touchdowns last year, and three more this year.  But at 5-9 and 208 pounds, he’s just not strong enough to pull a linebacker along with him. 

Still, the absence of his big play ability could be an issue against the Vikings.  The last time these two teams played, the Vikings upset the Packers at Lambeau.  Jones missed that game as well.  The main issue in that contest was the inability of the defense to stop Dalvin Cook, who ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns.  But the offense seemed to lack the versatility and pop of Jones, both running and receiving.  Somewhat surprisingly, the Packers’ offense functions more successfully without Davante Adams, than it does without Jones. 

No doubt Dillon is built for a heavy workload, but his brutally physical running style results in his taking a terrible beating throughout the game.  He will need to take a series off now and then.  With Kylin Hill also injured, the back-up is Patrick Taylor.  At 6-2, 217, Taylor showed in the preseason he is more of a power back in the vein of Dillon than a quick, explosive type guy like Jones.  I’m anxious to see what he can do with significant carries.  At the moment, he is one play away from being the Packers’ number one back. 

Ryquell Armstead is on the practice squad.  The former fifth round pick of the Jaguars in 2019 played 16 games in Jacksonville but carried the ball just 35 times. 

Recognizing they are now thin at running back, the Packers worked out Kerryon Johnson.  The former second round pick out of Auburn ran for over 1200 yards in three seasons with the Lions, but became expendable when Detroit drafted Deandre Swift and signed Jamal Williams.  Johnson has since gotten a look from the Eagles and 49ers but couldn’t stick. 

Oh, and don’t forget about Randall Cobb.  In his first tour of duty in Green Bay, Cobb often lined up in the backfield and took a few carries.  It wouldn’t shock me to see that happen a few times against the Vikings on Sunday. 

For now, it’s all about quadzilla.  He’s not Aaron Jones.  But he might be Eddie Lacy.  That would be just fine.