Group of cut candidates brings interesting options at running back for the Packers

As we get closer to training camp, it's the perfect time to evaluate rosters around the NFL — and that's what pro personnel departments in the league are doing as well. The idea is to find potential cut candidates and intriguing options that might become available right before the regular season. At A to Z […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer

Jun 27, 2024 12:57 PM EDT

At A to Z Sports, we did a league-wide piece with potential surprise candidates. And at the same time that running back AJ Dillon was the choice on the Green Bay Packers' roster, several other players at the same position can be alternatives to elevate the unit.

Elijah Mitchell (San Francisco 49ers)

Reasons to be a cut candidate:

It wasn't that long ago that Mitchell was bursting onto the scene as a rookie sixth-round pick in 2021, a season he ended as the 49ers' leading rusher, falling narrowly shy of 1,000 yards despite playing only 11 games due to injury. Unfortunately for Mitchell, injuries have continued to be a problem throughout his career and, with Christian McCaffrey now the undisputed workhorse of the backfield, he has been left fighting for very minimal carries.

When healthy, Mitchell has served as a nice complement to McCaffrey and scored the decisive touchdown in the 49ers' NFC Championship Game comeback against the Lions. However, with no guaranteed money remaining on the final year of his contract and San Francisco adding three running backs this offseason — including trading two fifth-round picks to move up for Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of the draft — Mitchell could find himself in huge trouble if the new boys impress. -49ers beat writer Nicholas McGee

Reasons to be on the Packers' radar:

While Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur share an offensive DNA, LaFleur is much more willing to rotate running backs. So even though Mitchell would be a RB2 or 3 in Green Bay, he would certainly have more chances than he has had in San Francisco. Moreover, the system similarities would help Mitchell hit the ground running for the Packers, which is an important consideration when adding a player close to the regular season kickoff.

Eli Mitchell has been good when given the chance, with 4.7 yards per carry throughout his NFL career.

Khalil Herbert (Chicago Bears)

Reasons to be a cut candidate:

Herbert seems to be the odd man out in the Bears backfield following the addition of D'Andre Swift. The dynamic free agent pickup took the majority of snaps with the first team during OTAs and minicamp with second-year back Roschon Johnson behind him in the pecking order. With a new pass-oriented scheme coming to Chicago, Herbert's days might be numbered heading into training camp and he might be playing in another uniform in 2024. -Bears beat writer Kole Noble

Reasons to be on the Packers' radar:

If we're talking about efficient runners, Herbert is certainly a great option — which bodes well for a potential running back 3 behind Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd, in a scenario where the Packers would have released AJ Dillon.

Herbert is a good complement to what the Packers' offense has in Jacobs and Lloyd, offering a speed and change-of-pace element. Throughout his first three NFL seasons, Herbert has had 4.9 yards per carry. He also knows the basics of the offense, since former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy came from the Packers.

Jeff Wilson (Miami Dolphins)

Reasons to be a cut candidate:

The Dolphins have a strong depth at running back, with De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and this year's fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright at the top.So even though Wilson is an efficient runner and relatively cheap, with a $2.357 million cap hit, there might not be enough room on the roster for him. And by trading or releasing him, the Dolphins would save more than $1.5 million in cap space. Injuries have prevented Wilson from being a reliable piece, and now he can turn into an afterthought with so many pieces competing for touches.

Reasons to be on the Packers' radar:

Another option, another efficient player from the Kyle Shanahan tree. Wilson spent the first four and a half seasons of his career with the 49ers, but was traded to the Dolphins when San Francisco acquired Christian McCaffrey in 2022.

Injuries have been problematic, but these are less impactful for a third option at the position. He's had 4.5 yards per carry in the NFL. So even though he hasn't had much volume throughout the years, his efficiency and knowledge of the system make him a smooth and obvious alternative.

Israel Abanikanda (New York Jets)

Reasons to be a cut candidate:

The Jets made their thoughts on the former fifth-round pick, and one of the darlings of last season of HBO’s Hard Knocks known when they took not one, but two running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft. Reports out of Jets' OTAs are that fourth-round rookie out of Wisconsin, Braelon Allen looks natural as a receiver, and it is likely his RB2 job to lose. South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis, who was selected by the Jets towards the end of the fifth round, has also been turning some heads.

That leaves Izzy plummeting down the depth chart. In OTAs he got zero reps with the first team or with the second team. When he did get on the field, struggled. Izzy had nagging injuries last season and the Jets offense didn’t stay on the field long enough to get him many reps during the season. When he finally did get on the field after the Jets traded Cook and made a shift to playing the young guys, he failed to impress.Izzy is the kind of back that could go 90 yards on a single play. The problem is, he never did. Nothing that would ensure a spot on the team and now it appears, it might be headed that way. -Jets beat writer Mike Antoniou

Reasons to be on the Packers' radar:

Had the Packers been more willing to draft a running back in 2023, they could have taken Abanikanda early on day 3. He was wildly productive at Pittsburgh, having 1,431 yards (6.0 per carry) and 20 touchdowns in 2022, and he is still impressively young at 21.

It's the ideal type for the Packers to develop behind Jacobs, especially being undervalued after a season with impossible circumstances in New York — he had only 22 carries the entire year.

Michael Carter (Arizona Cardinals)

Reasons to be a cut candidate:

Arizona claimed Carter off waivers last November, but he could find himself a cut candidate in a crowded backfield. A combination of James Conner, Trey Benson, and DeeJay Dallas could push Carter off the 53-man roster if they only carry three running backs. Should they keep four backs, he also might not be safe considering the $3.1 million in salary cap space the team would add should they release him. -Cardinals contributor Charles Goldman

Reasons to be on the Packers' radar:

Carter is another example of a good player who hasn't had many chances to succeed. He was good as a rookie in 2021 for the Jets, but didn't have space to shine after the team drafted Breece Hall. Last year, after being acquired by the Cardinals, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry, but with a small sample size. He also knows the system, having played under Mike LaFleur, Matt's brother.