Subscribe
Follow Us
The Green Bay Packers are set to enter training camp with big goals on their mind. After missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, the team is ready to get back on track.
Dexter Williams may not be a name that most fans know by heart, but he was selected with the No. 194 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He may not be the starter or primary backup in Green Bay, but is a perfect fit for Matt LaFleur's new offensive system.
Let's take a deeper look at Williams and his fit with the Packers entering training camp.
Background
Williams was a standout for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last season. He carried the football 158 times for 995 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those numbers average out to an impressive 6.3 yards per carry.
He also caught 16 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. While he isn't known for being a receiver out of the backfield, that is a role that he could fill for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers loves running backs who can make plays on the ground and through the air.
Notre Dame leaned heavily on Williams all season long. He showed the ability to earn tough short yardage and break off big plays. Those qualities will help him earn some touches in his rookie year with the Packers.
Outlook for the 2019 Season
Obviously, Williams has an uphill battle to earn a sizable role with the Packers this season. He will have to compete with Aaron Jones, who many expect to be one of the NFL's new stud running backs. In addition to Jones, Jamaal Williams has shown that he can shoulder a solid workload out of the backfield.
Despite having to play behind two established running backs, Williams can offer Green Bay some value. He has excellent speed, can block in the passing game, and can make catches out of the backfield. LaFleur's new offense will require running backs to be able to do all three of those things.
Jones certainly seems to be capable of handling that role, but Dexter could compete with Jamaal in the battle between the Williams' for backup touches.
Green Bay has been very high on Williams since drafting him this year and they are confident that he can earn a role. If he comes into training camp and works hard and shows the talent that he showed at Notre Dame, there could very well be some playing time for him as a rookie.
Conclusion
Williams is going to end up being a major steal for the Packers long-term. Being able to get a talent like him late in the draft is going to pay off well for general manager Brian Gutekunst.
The Packers are going to focus on pounding the football on the ground more than they have in past years. Rodgers isn't getting any younger and Green Bay wants to take some pressure off of him. Williams may not play a massive role in 2019, but he projects very well in the future for the Packers.
