By Alex Berger
Before free agency officially opens on March 11th, we'll be combing through the Packers roster position by position to see what changes may need to come if the Lombardi trophy is to come home next year.
Since we already covered the quarterback position, it's time to move on to running backs.
Players Under Contract: Eddie Lacy, Jonathan Franklin, DuJuan Harris, Ina Liaina
Eddie Lacy fell to the Packers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and went on to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Lacy really put the team on his back after Rodgers was injured and helped carry the Packers to the playoffs with over 1,000 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Lacy is a punishing back who gives Green Bay its first legitimate rushing attack since Ahman Green's days. After his Pro Bowl caliber rookie season, look for an even stronger sophomore campaign with Rodgers back under center for hopefully the season's entirety.
Jonathan Franklin is an interesting case. Drafted in the fourth round of last year's draft, he was brought into the fold with Lacy to try to revitalize a weak rushing group. Franklin is in many ways the opposite of Lacy, as while Lacy is big and powerful, Franklin is more small and quick. Franklin played well in week three against Cincinnati, filling in for the injured Lacy and Starks, before fumbling the football on a play that cost Green Bay the game. After that, he received only four carries before being placed on IR after Week 11. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the fold in 2014, as he could sit anywhere from second to fourth on the depth chart.
DuJuan Harris did not play at all in 2013 as a training camp injury cost him the season. Harris was a very pleasant surprise at the end of the 2012 season, carrying the team's rushing attack in the playoffs. Like Franklin, it will be interesting to see his role next year, and where he ends up fitting on the depth chart.
Ina Liaina is the only fullback on the Packer's roster due to the impending free agency of John Kuhn. A true blocking fullback, expect him to be used mainly as a lead blocker for Lacy next season.
Free Agents: James Starks, John Kuhn
James Starks was phenomenal as a backup running back in 2013. He was extremely effective (averaging 5.5 YPC) while filling in for Lacy, which could make him coveted in free agency as a change of pace back.
John Kuhn, a fan-favorite, has been used primarily as a third-down blocker because his strong pass protection abilities. However, the shouts of "KUUUUUUUUHN" may no longer be filling the air at Lambeau on Sundays come next season, as Kuhn's production has never quite lived up to the hype surrounding his name.
My Tips for Ted:
The Packers have a strong nucleus of running backs under contract for next season and it looks to be a strong position group going into 2014. My thought would be to let Kuhn walk and instead funnel the cap savings into other areas of weakness. Secondly, the Packers should try to re-sign James Starks because not only is he a proven backup, but also figures to be cost-effective with a relatively small price tag. Bringing him back would provide a solid four-player rotation for the Packers in 2014.
Grade: A-
With the punishing young back Eddie Lacy taking the lead, Green Bay will combine Rodgers' stellar passing abilities with a powerful running game that makes this offense one of the best in the game.
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