A.J. Dillon Proving Many Wrong With The Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers RB A.J. Dillon is playing some great ball in 2021, and he’s proving many analysts wrong who criticized the selection.

"They called me a madman – Brian Gutekunst"

The 2020 NFL Draft is remembered for many things. Tackles flew off the board, the Raiders made us shake our heads, and the Green Bay Packers shocked the world by trading up for Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first round. It wasn’t even the most shocking thing the Packers would do that weekend, as they selected Boston College running back A.J. Dillon in the second round, and Josiah Deguara in the third.

The takes that fired off from the Packers selections in 2020 felt warranted at the time. They got a lot of “F” grades around the draft media landscape, and the general consensus was that they failed to get immediate help for a team that was on the doorstep of a Super Bowl.

While it’s still fair to hand some criticism to the class, the the long list of analysts who trashed the A.J. Dillon pick are starting to eat their words (including this writer, yes, this one, right here, currently writing). Many believed Dillon wasn’t worth a day two pick at all, but he’s been productive, especially when called upon, through nearly two seasons.

Dillon had his breakout game as a rookie against the Tennessee Titans last December. He appeared in games before that, but with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in the fold, it was hard to find a lot of playing time. In the 40-14 win, Dillon ripped off several chunk plays in a 21-carry, 124-yard effort, including two trips to the end zone.

With Williams leaving in the offseason, and Jones likely getting a big payday, it was all playing out like the Packers had planned. However, the front office chose to bring back Jones, setting up a “thunder and lightning” duo for 2021.

It’s so far, so good for the duo, and while Jones has been injured at times, Dillon has been able to carry the load. His numbers haven’t been extremely gaudy, as he’s averaging over a yard per attempt less than 2020, but he’s rattled off some significant runs with burst at the second level, and has usage his power and contact balance to shrug off tackles and make things happen after contact. He doesn’t hit the hole as quickly as a player like Jones, but it’s hard to stop him when he drops the pads.

Perhaps the biggest improvement for Dillon has been in the passing game. He only had two catches in his rookie season, and wasn’t a major part of the passing game (just 21 receptions in three seasons). This season, though, Dillon is setting career highs in reception and receiving yards, and is a reliable threat on checkdowns, where he can make defenders miss and shrug off attempted arm tackles. Once he gets up to speed he’s a freight train in space. His longest gain, a 50-yarder, showed off what he can do as a receiver.

As the Green Bay Packers get into the winter months and push for a Super Bowl berth, it will be important to lean on A.J. Dillon and the running game to provide balance against playoff teams. Dillon will be a chain mover and a receiving threat, putting more stress on defenses.

In terms of proving the NFL Draft analysts wrong, he’s definitely been more of a factor than anticipated. Dillon may not live up to the billing of recent second rounders at running back (Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Williams) but he’s certainly an impact player. There isn’t a firm grip on this 2020 class of yet, but Dillon proves that things weren’t a total failure.