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3 dark horse replacements Packers should consider for Aaron Jones

By Rucker Haringey

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 24: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers walks across the field before the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 24: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers walks across the field before the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Packers draft rumors, Kenneth Gainwell
MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 7: Kenneth Gainwell #19 of the Memphis Tigers celebrates a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the American Athletic Conference Championship game on December 7, 2019 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Cincinnati 29-24. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

1. Kenneth Gainwell

If Green Bay wants to wait until the later rounds of April’s draft to fill their running back vacancy then Gainwell could very well be their choice. He opted out of the 2020 campaign for Memphis, but scouts are still salivating over his 2019 tape.

His lack of experience might cause him a longer than normal adjustment period to get up and running at the pro level, but he has all the athletic tools required to become a matchup nightmare. Gainwell isn’t an elite speed guy, but he’s elusive with the ball in his hands and shows surprising power when it comes to shrugging off would-be tacklers. It’s easy to envision a scenario where he develops into one of the best third-down backs in the league once he gets comfortable with the intricacies of that role.

Gainwell gets the edge over Felton on this list because he has more upside as a runner. He’s not going to displace Dillon as the team’s bowling ball up the middle, but he can soak up inside and outside carries. That makes him the ideal No. 2 option for the Packers.

Next. 3 free agents Packers should avoid this offseason. dark

Drafting Gainwell isn’t going to cause Packers fans to forget about Aaron Jones anytime soon, but he can keep their offense humming in 2021 and beyond. He can be a late-round steal for Green Bay.

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