Packers Udfa Amar Johnson Has Versatile Talent To Push For Roster Spot In Crowded Rb Room

The Green Bay Packers have a crowded running back room. Josh Jacobs is the bell-cow and coming off a season in which he had 301 rushing attempts, the second-highest total of his career, for 1,329 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns. The former Las Vegas Raider made quite an impact during his first season in Green Bay.

Ideally, the No. 2 option out of the backfield for the Packers in 2025 will be MarShawn Lloyd, the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd's rookie season was marred by injuries and he was limited to just six carries. If the former USC Trojan can stay healthy, he has the big-play ability to make an impact behind Jacobs.

With Lloyd sidelined, Emanuel Wilson emerged. Wilson was second on the team in rushing yards (502) and averaged nearly five yards per attempt (4.9). Chris Brooks rounds out the Packers' running back room and during his first season with the club, he averaged 5.1 yards per attempt (36 carriers).

Jacobs and Lloyd are locks to make the 53 roster and one would think Wilson is a near lock with his performance in 2024.

If the Packers opt to keep a fourth running back, Brooks figures to be the leader in the clubhouse to assume that role. A dark horse undrafted free agent to make a push for a final spot on the 53 and make Brooks expendable is Amar Johnson Jr, an undrafted free agent running back out of South Dakota State University, the original SDSU.

A Missouri native, Johnson rushed for 429 yards and three touchdowns during his first season on campus, while playing behind Pierre Strong Jr, a 2022 draft pick and Isaiah Davis, a 2024 draft pick. The following season, Johnson rushed for 414 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, rushed for 801 yards and four touchdowns.

This past season Johnson was the lead dog of SDSU's running back room and responded with an All-American season. He rushed for 1,222 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also reeled in 30 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown.

Johnson has good vision and shows a feel for lanes opening. He shows good patience and has a veteran-like savvy to let blocks develop. The Jackrabbit running back has velvet feet and makes sharp cuts. He has outstanding speed (4.39) on outside runs and creates chunk plays with his explosiveness. He accelerates well when he hits the hole.

Johnson is an explosive playmaker. This past season he had 38 runs of 10-plus yards and he finished his career with 98 runs of 10-plus yard and 46 of 15-plus yards. He has good contact balance and finished this past season with 729 yards after contact. He's shifty and able to string together moves to force missed tackles. This past season he forced 49 missed tackles.

Johnson is alert in pass protection and works hard to protect the integrity of the pocket. He showed soft hands and finished his career with 50 receptions for 449 yards and one touchdown.

Johnson's real shot to separate himself in the running back room is his ability as a kick returner. During his time in Brookings, he averaged 21.0 yards per kick return. He was also a standout kick returner during his prep school days at Chaminade College Prep.

Johnson started his collegiate career with the Jackrabbits sitting behind two future NFL running backs. He knows what it's like to make the most of limited carries. When he gets his opportunity in training camp and preseason games, he'll make the most of them. He's an explosive playmaker who averaged 6.1 yards per carry during his career.

The Packers haven't rostered four running backs to start the season since 2020. If they keep four running backs, the fourth spot could come down to Brooks or Johnson. With his explosiveness, ability in the pass game and special teams value, Johnson could have the edge over Brooks.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers UDFA Amar Johnson roster spot rookie profile South Dakota State