At some point this offseason, the Packers need to address the running back position. At the very least, they are exploring the free agent market, with interest in Zack Moss, according to Aaron Wilson.
Moss was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and spent the last season and a half with the Indianapolis Colts. For his career, he has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns. Last season, specifically, Moss averaged 4.3 yards per rush with five touchdowns and 793 rushing yards.
Although AJ Dillon has been a reliable running back behind Aaron Jones, what the Packers need is more playmaking in that secondary running back role, who is going to see his share of touches as the Packers continue to be mindful of Jones’ workload. Dillon would average just 3.4 yards per carry last season.
Moss would help provide that needed juice to the backfield. Over the last two seasons, he has forced 60 missed tackles, and recorded 30 runs of 10-plus yards, along with 12 rushes of 15 or more yards.
When a defense has to be mindful of a running back’s ability to pick up chunk plays, that then opens up opportunities in the passing game and can keep defenses off-balanced and guessing, especially in the Matt LaFleur offense where concepts in the passing game build off of what is established in the ground game.
PFF is projecting that the Moss will earn a two-year deal worth $7.5 million in free agency.
The potential addition of Moss shouldn’t stop the Packers from also adding to the running back position in the draft. Jones is potentially in his final season with the Packers while Moss is not a long-term answer at the position.
However, what this signing would provide is some stability at the position, and some competition for Emanuel Wilson, and some immediate help for the offense.
Although, understandably so, Jordan Love and the passing game garnered much of the attention late in the season, the emergence of the run game played an important factor in the passing game’s success.
