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How former BYU football star Jamaal Williams fits into the Green Bay backfield

By Nathan Cunningham

Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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BYU football’s all-time leading rusher, Jamaal Williams, is heading to Green Bay. How will J-Swag Daddy fit into the Packer backfield?

On Saturday, April 29, former BYU football star Jamaal Williams was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. Now that he’s heading to Lambeau Field, how exactly does the former Cougar fit into the Packers’ backfield?

Let’s take a look.

Entering the NFL Draft, Green Bay had just three running backs on the roster. After letting Eddie Lacy depart to the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers had Ty Montgomery, Don Jackson and Christine Michael.

Ty Montgomery: 77 carries, 457 yards, 3 TD; 44 receptions, 348 yards

Christine Michael: 148 carries, 583 yards, 7 TD; 22 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

Don Jackson: 10 carries, 32 yards

Montgomery is by far the most talented of the three. However, he isn’t the kind of runner that demands 30 touches per game. In fact, Green Bay would be better served to mix him in as a change-of-pace.

The plan was for Michael to be more of a bruiser, but he didn’t make the impact the Packers had hoped for. Jackson was a rookie last year, but did next to nothing. One had to imagine he won’t factor in to the offense next season.

Green Bay knew it had a need a running back, so the Packers took aim in the NFL Draft.

By the time the draft was done, the Packers had six running backs in the roster.

Outside of the former BYU football star, the Packers also took UTEP’s Aaron Jones and Utah State’s Davante Mays.

Williams is the most talented of the three, but each brings something unique to the table.

Jones is probably the best pass catcher of the three. Mays is more of a bruiser, and won’t make many people miss.

Williams is the best pass blocker of them, and he provides the most complete package. He can make tacklers miss, he can run over guys, and he’s got enough speed to be effective.

Training camp and OTAs will allow Green Bay to evaluate its new talent, but I’d imagine Michael and Jackson don’t last long.

Montgomery will likely start, but again, he’ll probably be in a role that involves 10 or so carries and five or so targets.

Williams has a very real chance to come in and average 10-15 touches per game this season. If he can improve his hands, it will go a long way. The Packers want their runners to be competent receivers.

Still, there’s no denying that Williams doesn’t have too much competition. We’ll see how the Packers utilize the BYU football product as the offseason progresses.

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