Paul Bretl | 8/11/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Not to be forgotten about in the conversation for the Packers’ 53-man roster is running back Emanuel Wilson, and he made sure of that with his performance in the preseason opener.
“That’s up to them,” said Wilson about the final roster decisions. “I’m gonna leave that to Matt but really just out there doing my job, just out there playing.”
Wilson finished the game with 13 carries, the most on the team, and totaled 67 rushing yards at 5.2 yards per attempt with one touchdown. This performance included a 23 yard gain, two rushes of nine yards, and a five yard run on his touchdown.
“I thought there was a lot of good things out there,” said Matt LaFleur after the game. “I thought he was running hard. I thought he lowered his pads. He, what, a 23-yard run? So that was nice to see. He was able to stick his foot in the ground and get outside and we all know the speed he has. He’s got real speed. The challenge to him pregame was make sure you’re running your feet on contact and run through people, and I thought for the most part that happened.”
That burst and ability to find running lanes that we saw in Cleveland are the same qualities we saw from Wilson as a rookie in 2023 that helped him make the Packers 53-man roster. In the preseason last year, Wilson had a 111 yard performance against Cincinnati, sparked by an 80 yard touchdown run. Even during his limited opportunities in the regular season, Wilson was able to average 6.1 yards per attempt.
Wilson’s talent with the ball in his hands is evident and continues to flash. However, when it comes to being the backup or third running back on the roster, while of course, there is a certain prerequisite that each back must have as a ball carrier, as LaFleur has noted in the past, oftentimes it is a running back’s ability in pass protection, as a pass catcher, and on special teams that can carry a lot of weight when building out the final roster.
For Wilson, who went undrafted in 2023 out of DII Fort Valley State, it’s those elements, specifically the pass protection and special teams contributions, that he’s had to really focus on. And ultimately, it’s his ability in those areas that are going to result in him making the team and potentially carving out some sort of role.
“Really, I just try to focus on one thing at a time,” said Wilson after Family Night. “Every day, you know, try to really focus on pass protection. Gotta protect the quarterback at all times even on blitz pick ups and everything like that. Holding the football, catching the football, that’s natural but always room for improvement.”
Keeping four running backs probably isn’t in play, which means there is only one roster spot up for grabs with Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd going to be on the team. So far, throughout training camp and into the preseason game, AJ Dillon has been the Packers’ backup running back.
The sample sizes don’t compare, but for what it’s worth, over the last year Wilson has been the more explosive back of the two. However, in those other key areas, Dillon has proven to be very reliable throughout his career, perhaps giving him the advantage at this time.
Admittedly, being a late addition to the Packers roster last offseason while also making the jump from the DII level to the NFL was a lot for Wilson to take on. But now, with a full year in LaFleur’s offense under his belt and an offseason to hone in on his role, Wilson feels much more comfortable, and we saw the results of that on the field against the Browns.
“I ain’t going to say I feel comfortable but, you know, room for improvement,” added Wilson after Family Night. “Really just trying to keep it–be consistent with it. Really just reading the ends, see if they in the wide or B-gap, stuff like that, and then just being me. Just being more comfortable with being me because last year I wasn’t me. Now I’m comfortable with being me.”