The Packers second year RB Emanuel Wilson has been a pleasant surprise thru six games this season. Wilson is the Packers back up running back. Due to injuries to AJ Dillon and Marshawn Lloyd, Wilson has been given the opportunity to back up Josh Jacobs. Wilson has capitalized on this opportunity and has been deemed the team’s spark plug.
Emanuel Wilson is a second year player from Fort Valley State, a Division 2 school in Fort Valley, GA. Wilson won a roster spot out of training camp in 2023 as an undrafted rookie after an impressive preseason showing. During the 2023 preseason, Wilson ran for 223 yards on 38 carries for 2 touchdowns including an 80 yard touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals. He only registered 14 regular season carries in 2023. However, in 2024, he continued his dominate preseason run, rushing for 160 yards, and 1 touchdown on 37 attempts.
For the second season in a row, Wilson earned a roster spot on the initial 53 man roster. His impressive preseason showing certainly played a significant factor in that decision. Wilson did benefit from AJ Dillon being placed on IR. Many assumed Wilson would be the third option in the Packers backfield but rookie RB Marshawn Lloyd landed on the IR thanks to numerous injuries. As a result, Emanuel Wilson became the Packers solution to their back up running back concerns.
Emanuel Wilson is the Perfect “Change of Pace” Option
Emanuel Wilson registered a career high 54 rushing yards in Sunday’s win against the Arizona Cardinals. Wilson had seven rushing attempts and two of those seven attempts went for 10 plus yards. Additionally, Wilson had an impressive 19 yard catch and run on a screen pass. Through the Packers first six games, Wilson has rushed for 210 yards on 42 carries. That is an average of 5.0 yards a carry.
The Green Bay Packers have accumulated 1003 rushing yards this season. That ranks 2nd in the NFL. Josh Jacobs has certainly led the way with 464 rushing yards. Green Bay’s rushing attacked has featured explosive runs from WRs Jayden Reed and Bo Melton as well. The Packers benefited from strong rushing performances by QB Malik Willis during his two starts in Week 2 and Week 3. There is no doubt the success on the ground has been a team effort but for a RB2, Emanuel Wilson has not disappointed and has even played well since Week 1.
The Packers season opener in Brazil feels like it happened months ago. For those who forgot, the Packers and Josh Jacobs struggled to run the ball early on in that game. Emanuel Wilson subbed in and busted off runs of 9, 14, and 18 yards. Wilson jumped started the offense in that game. He once again served as a spark plug in the Packers Week 3 win in Tennessee. He ran for 50 yards on 12 carries but most importantly, Wilson scored on a 30 yard screen pass.
The best part of Wilson’s game is his tough minded approach to the way he runs the ball. He is averaging 3.7 YAC which is 12th in the NFL. The Packers rushing attack has not only continued to roll with Wilson but at times, he has jump started the running game. Credit is due when credit is deserved and Emanuel Wilson certainly deserves appreciation for his performance thus far in 2023.
