How Ted Thompson can address the Green Bay Packers' running back position

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a touchdown with head coach Mike McCarthy against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers dynamic duo of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers have been and always will be focused on the passing game. With a two-time MVP at quarterback, there’s really no reason not to be. But Rodgers shouldn’t be expected to do it alone.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

We saw what the Packers’ offense turned into a few years ago with a healthy and less well-fed Eddie Lacy.

With the ability to run a balanced attack rather than force Rodgers to shoulder the burden on his own, Green Bay’s offense became nearly unstoppable.

A strong run game has always been a quarterback’s best friend, and the case is no different, even for a player of Rodgers’ caliber.

The Packers simply need to find a way to get more out of their rushing attack.

But what’s the most efficient way of going about it?

Let’s take a look at the options …

Eddie Lacy: To re-sign or not re-sign

Everything starts here.

If GM Ted Thompson decides to bring Lacy back, then he and now-full time running back Ty Montgomery will likely share the bulk of the load.

Lacy could be had on a short, relatively cheap, prove-it type deal as he’s coming off an ankle injury that ended his 2016 campaign early. He’s also battled well-chronicled weight issues that have put him in McCarthy’s dog house.

There are good cases to be made for both bringing him back on the cheap and letting him walk and simply moving on, but regardless, everything that happens after depends on whether or not Lacy returns.

If Lacy’s back, some of this becomes moot as the Packers would simply be looking for depth behind he and Montgomery (James Starks is a likely candidate to be released as he would save the Packers $3 million in cap space and did absolutely nothing as a backup last year).

But if Lacy is not retained, that’s where things get interesting, and Thompson can go one of two ways to bring in someone to pair with Montgomery – free agency or the draft.

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Woodhead would be injured on the play. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent options

Yes, the likelihood of Thompson signing a free agent at any position, let alone running back, is slim to none. But stranger things have happened, and there are a few decent options available this offseason.

Danny Woodhead would be a great addition out of the backfield, and at age 32, would come relatively cheap. DeAngelo Williams was great backing up Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh the last few years, but is 33, and Thompson tends to stay away from aging players.

Darren McFadden may be an option, or Jacquizz Rodgers, and former Cardinal Andre Ellington could be a steal.

But in reality, none of these guys move the needle, and coupled with Thompson’s penchant for avoiding free agency, there’s only one real option in terms of adding a running back this offseason.

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft

If Thompson lets Lacy walk and needs to re-stock the Packers’ backfield, this is likely the way he’ll do it, and it’s not a bad option as 2017 presents a deep crop of runners.

The Leonard Fournettes and Dalvin Cooks of the world will be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock in the first round, but there are other worthy early-round options and some late-round sleepers Thompson could find to contribute immediately.

Early-round options

Alvin Kamara, Tennessee – The 5-foot-10, 215 pound former Volunteer possesses all the physical traits one can look for in a running back – speed, power, even hands and pass-blocking prowess. The knock on the junior is that he was never a featured back in college as he split carries with Jalen Hurd, but Kamara has drawn comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star Jamaal Charles.

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford – By now McCaffrey’s exploits should be well-known to most fans. Think Reggie Bush at USC. McCaffrey carried the Cardinal offense the past few seasons and has proven to be a workhorse despite his relatively small stature. He would give McCarthy another versatile weapon out of the backfield, but could be somewhat repetitive given Montgomery’s similar skill set.

D’Onta Foreman, Texas – If Thompson wants to find a bruising back to compliment Montgomery and fill Lacy’s shoes, Foreman is it. At 6-foot-1 and nearly 250 pounds, the former Longhorn is the definition of a power back. He was productive too as last year he ran for over 2,000 yards and 15 scores.

Late-round steals

Samaje Perine, Oklahoma – The lesser known of Oklahoma’s two-headed monster the past few years (the other being Joe Mixon and his troubles), Perine was often overlooked and could be again on draft day. However, he was more than productive with his touches when he got them as he averaged more than five yards a carry and boasts a physical body at 5-foot-11 and nearly 240 pounds.

Corey Clement, Wisconsin – Badger fans would love to see Clement wear green and gold, and the former Wisconsin standout has the physicality and experience to be able to spell Montgomery immediately as a rookie. Clement ran for more than 1,300 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in the regular season in 2016.

Donnell Pumphrey, San Diego State – Simply the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher. If the Packers’ front office is looking for production, Pumphrey is their guy. He ran for over 2,000 yards last year alone. The only knock on Pumphrey is his size as he weighed in at the senior bowl at just 169 pounds, which is incredibly light for an NFL running back. But the production would be hard to look past on day 3 of the draft.

Ty Montgomery will likely be featured heavily in the backfield next year, but the other backs who will compliment him are yet to be determined.

It could be Lacy returning on a short-term deal looking to prove himself, or it could be someone Thompson finds in free agency or the draft. Regardless, the Packers’ offense needs a running game to compliment the magic of Aaron Rodgers, and Thompson will need to find the right fit to help do it.