Packers HC Matt LaFleur reportedly talked up RB A.J. Dillon at the start of training camp. According to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, the coach said: "This is THE best I've seen him. Hands down. And I think he'd tell you the same." Dillon returned to Green Bay on a minimal one-year deal and heads toward the season as likely the No. 3 RB on the Packers' depth chart.
More from LaFleur: "It's a testament to the work he's put in. He came back and he's in great shape. I was joking with him the other day, you can see the abs on him. That’s hard for a big man to do. He looks like he’s in great shape, I think he’s in a great place mentally. Obviously, we know what he’s capable of doing. I think he’s in a really good position to show his best."
LaFleur on Dillon back in March, after the team re-signed him: "I thought just from the things he was able to bring from a pass-protection standpoint this year, this was his best year at pass pro. So we know what we’re getting with AJ Dillon. I think there’s some versatility we can start to use with him moving forward, and start to use him more as a movable piece, not just a tailback.”
Dillon's coming off his least-efficient rushing season as a pro. His yards per carry have declined every year, from 5.3 as a 2020 rookie to:
He also saw his receptions per game decline last year, despite Aaron Jones missing 6+ games.
Odds stand against Dillon becoming a useful fantasy asset in his fifth season. But he does play in a backfield whose new leader (Josh Jacobs) struggled last year and whose presumptive No. 2 is a rookie (MarShawn Lloyd) who hurt a hip on Day 1 of camp.
There's opportunity available if Dillon has actually drawn motivation from how last year and free agency treated him.
He's an interesting option at the end of best ball tournament drafts.
Dillon's not too old yet (26), even for a RB. But he needs to prove he's worth any attention here after the way his first four seasons went.
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