Emanuel Wilson had a nice start to the 2024 preseason. He lead the Packers in yards, attempts, and yards after contact. Additionaly, he accounted for 51% of Green Bay’s rushing yards after contact and had the second most yards after contact among all running backs in the first week.
Wilson repeatedly bulldozed through Browns defenders, embodying the powerback role expected of A.J. Dillon by breaking tackle after tackle. Furthermore, he kept making defenders miss time after time.
A.J. Dillon is coming off his worst season since entering the league in 2020, posting career lows in yards per attempt, rushing touchdowns, and yards after contact per attempt. He forced just 21 missed tackles, only four more than his 2020 career low, despite 132 more carries.
Dillon’s value as a pass protector keeps him important to Green Bay. However, if Wilson continues outperforming Dillon on the ground, Green Bay might consider moving on from him. Dillon could still be a valuable RB2 for many NFL teams.
The Packers drafted MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, a great fit for LaFleur’s passing scheme. However, Lloyd is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his availability for the regular season remains uncertain. If Green Bay takes a conservative approach with Lloyd, Wilson could be a valuable backup to Josh Jacobs.
Wilson’s push for the RB2 job isn’t just due to injuries or others’ underperformance; his talent is undeniable. He led the NFL in rushing during the 2023 preseason—a stat that shouldn’t be overlooked, even if it’s preseason. Wilson’s ability could continue Green Bay’s 15-year streak of undrafted players making the final roster.
Emanuel Wilson will have two more chances to showcase his skills: this Sunday against the Denver Broncos and on the 24th against the Baltimore Ravens in Green Bay. If he maintains his strong performance from week 1, he could secure a spot on the 53-man roster. His continued success might influence Green Bay’s decisions on Dillon and Lloyd’s roles, potentially earning Wilson a backup position.
