When uncertainty surrounded Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks‘s futures in Green Bay as they headed for restricted free agency — and potentially unrestricted free agency — running back seemed like an obvious need for the Packers. Odds are, they’d have to draft one.
Reports indicate that Brooks will sign a two-year deal to remain with the Packers. That will help bulk the depth chart at the position, but it shouldn’t deter Green Bay from drafting a running back in April.
Brooks’ two-year deal gives the Packers a strong trio of Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, and Brooks. However, they can’t rely on Lloyd for depth because he has only played in one game in two years due to numerous injuries.
Keeping Brooks around gives the Packers their best pass-blocking running back of the group and a formidable third-down option. There is a pretty drastic difference between Wilson and Brooks, though.
Bringing back Wilson would’ve locked the Packers up with their No. 2 running back and would’ve pressed Lloyd to really earn his opportunities. In the past two years, Wilson has over 100 carries in each season. When he needed to play the featured back role, he flourished. Wilson’s best performance this past season came in a late November win over Minnesota when Wilson racked up 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
In two years with Green Bay, Brooks has 63 carries combined for 289 yards and one touchdown. Wilson has become a proven No. 2 back who can fill a No. 1 role when needed. Brooks is best as a situational No. 3 running back who can also contribute on special teams. The snap-count totals from last year reflect that.
Despite missing some time, Jacobs led the group with 599 snaps last year. Wilson had 339, while Brooks logged 222. The dropoff from Wilson to Brooks was as steep as the dropoff in snaps played by Jacobs compared to Wilson. Wilson was the clear-cut No. 2, while Brooks was and is viewed as the No. 3, even if Wilson is out of the picture.
So, having Brooks back is great, but the Packers could still be in the mix for another back whose best trait comes simply from being a ball carrier. Now that Brooks is seemingly coming back, it’s unlikely the Packers add in free agency. Sprinkling in a running back later in the draft with a selection would shore things up.
Jacobs was banged up last year after suffering a knee injury on the concrete field at MetLife Stadium. With Lloyd out, Wilson stepped in and had three games with 14 or more carries and two more with 11 carries. That’s not really Brooks’ strength, although head coach Matt LaFleur has praised his running ability back in 2024.
“I love [Brooks’] running style. He runs with a good forward lean,” LaFleur said. “He’s got great body control. He can stick his foot in the ground; he’s one of those one-cut runners.”
Green Bay doesn’t need to use a second- or third-round pick on a running back with Brooks returning. If they want to anyway, go crazy. Brooks helps round out the depth, but doesn’t necessarily provide the upside of a No. 2 running back that can take on the bulk of the carries if something were to happen with Jacobs. Beyond that, it’s important to look at the contracts among the group.
Jacobs, Lloyd, and Brooks are all scheduled to be unrestricted free agents after the 2027 season. Green Bay could put it on the back burner for another year. However, with the oft-injured Lloyd remaining the great unknown, addressing the position now via the draft makes a lot of sense. Using more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick to do so might be enticing.
The Packers could view the room as complete with Jacobs, Lloyd, and Brooks on the active roster while Pierre Strong Jr. and Damien Martinez wrapped up 2025 on the practice squad. The idea could be to have Jacobs back in his bell-cow role, with Lloyd as the change-of-pace, and Brooks used situationally on obvious passing downs and on special teams. Strong and Martinez provide last-resort options in case they need to press the emergency button.
Diving into the draft waters this April is an advantageous idea for Green Bay. The Packers typically operate as a franchise that addresses roster issues before they becomeproblems. That’s exactly how the running back position looks entering the draft.
Getting Brooks back is great, and he provides a super-reliable, durable option on the depth chart. His re-signing, though, shouldn’t sway Green Bay away from drafting a running back.