Packers free agent who is a former high draft pick receives the best possible news right before the NFL's new league year
AJ Dillon had a tough year in 2024, but things are getting back on track for the former second-round pick. According to Fox Sports' NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the running back is fully healthy again ahead of the new league year and will be good to go in the 2025 NFL season.In August, Dillon aggravated […]
AJ Dillon had a tough year in 2024, but things are getting back on track for the former second-round pick. According to Fox Sports' NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the running back is fully healthy again ahead of the new league year and will be good to go in the 2025 NFL season.
In August, Dillon aggravated a neck injury and missed the entire season because of it, but now multiple doctors cleared him to return to football activities.
Situation with the Packers
Second-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2020, AJ Dillon barely played as a rookie but became a reliable running back two, behind Aaron Jones, throughout the rest of his rookie contract.
Last season, his market didn't materialize as expected, so he agreed to a four-year qualifying offer with the Packers. It was a one-year, $2.742 million contract, but only $1.292 million counted against the cap for Green Bay.
When the Packers brought him back last offseason, the team had just released Aaron Jones and signed Josh Jacobs. That meant Dillon could still be the second running back on the depth chart. With his injury, though, the Packers ended up finding better options.
Former undrafted Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, released by the Miami Dolphins, had decent performances as a complement to Jacobs. Moreover, the Packers are expecting that last year's third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd will be ready to play again in 2025.
What he offers
AJ Dillon was an efficient down-to-down runner for the Packers, averaging 4.1 yards per carry throughout his career. However, he lacked explosiveness to create more than what the offensive line gave him.
In four seasons, he's had 2,428 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 86 receptions for 763 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
His best season came in 2021, right after the Packers had lost Jamaal Williams in free agency. Dillon achieved 1,016 scrimmage yards with seven total touchdowns, including 4.3 yards per carry and 9.2 yards per reception.
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