Jamaal Williams faces stiff competition for starting role in 2018

The Green Bay Packers went through a lot of running backs in 2017. Ty Montgomery began the season as the starter. He played with broken ribs before going on IR with a wrist injury. Rookie rusher Aaron Jones took over the backfield next. His season was cut short by knee problems. The next man up was fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams. Williams finished the season as the Packers’ workhorse. He led the team in rushing with 153 carries for 556 yards and four touchdowns. The 134th overall pick also added 25 catches for 262 yards and two scores in the passing game. Williams was the only Packers’ rusher available all 16 games this season.

The Packers are going to have a lot of options at running back next season when Jones and Montgomery are healthy. Williams finished the year with the starting job, but he has stiff competition to keep it. Jones looks to be the front-runner to run the backfield in 2018. Jones averaged almost six yards per carry last season. The backup role is completely up for grabs. Williams and Montgomery had near even rushing yard averages. They are also both pretty effective in the passing game. Williams will have to work hard to win the backup role this offseason or he could drop back to third on the depth chart in 2018.

Williams turned out to be a solid fantasy back by the end of 2017. He was not a game-changing back though. Next season a lot of things have to shake out in the Packers’ running game. Owners will not invest too much into Williams in a loaded Packers’ backfield. He is worth a look around the 12th round as a player to stash for later in the season.