Green Bay Packers: Full Position Breakdown, Depth-Chart Analysis at Running Back

The Green Bay Packers head into the 2015 season with a strong backfield to complement Aaron Rodgers and the high-octane passing game.

To keep starter Eddie Lacy fresh, the Packers have James Starks, a talented three-down back who can sub in for Lacy not just from play to play but also on entire drives. 

In 2014, Lacy had his second consecutive 1,000-plus-yard season, racking up 1,139 rushing yards, 427 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns. Starks added another 333 rushing yards on 85 carries, 140 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Green Bay is likely to feature three running backs on the depth chart in 2015, as it did in 2014, especially if the Packers decide to keep both fullbacks John Kuhn and rookie Aaron Ripkowski on the 53-man roster. That would essentially eliminate the possibility of keeping a fourth halfback on the final roster.

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However, the Packers have many talented backs behind Lacy and Starks. DuJuan Harris, who occupied the No. 3 spot in 2014, departed in free agency. Now those vying for that role include second-year player Rajion Neal and undrafted rookies John Crockett and Alonzo Harris.

Neal started his career in Green Bay as an undrafted free agent as well, and he spent the 2014 season on the practice squad. Aside from the experience in the system that he brings to the table, his advantage is his receiving ability out of the backfield.

Neal finished his career at Tennessee with 66 catches for 626 yards and five touchdowns. The Packers have needed to add a pass-catching running back, and though wide receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery can serve in that role, Neal's versatility makes him an attractive option and a change of pace behind the power of Lacy and Starks.

One of the Packers' most high-profile and attractive undrafted free agents, Crockett has a legitimate shot of beating out Neal for the third running back spot.

Prior to the draft, NFL.com projected Crockett to be drafted in Round 6 or 7. He was a top performer among running back prospects at the NFL combine in the vertical jump (40 inches) and the broad jump (125 inches) and ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash.

At North Dakota State, Crockett posted three consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards, and in his senior year, he set school records for all-purpose yards (2,419), rushing yards (1,994) and rushing attempts (368).

Player	Height	Weight	Age	40-Yard Dash
Eddie Lacy	5'11"	230 lbs	25	4.57 sec
James Starks	6'2"	218 lbs	29	4.50 sec
Rajion Neal	5'11"	220 lbs	23	4.57 sec
John Crockett	6'0"	217 lbs	23	4.62 sec
Alonzo Harris	6'1"	237 lbs	22	4.66 sec

Harris, out of Louisiana-Lafayette, had 3,330 rushing yards on 704 attempts and 44 touchdowns over his college career. The hard-nosed runner averaged 4.7 yards per carry.

In addition, Harris also had 29 receptions for 234 yards.

If there isn't a place for Harris on Green Bay's 53-man roster, the team may offer him a spot on the practice squad. While another team would almost undoubtedly sign Crockett away, the Packers might be able to stash Harris there.

Green Bay doesn't have many weaknesses at the running back position heading into 2015, not with Lacy leading the pack. Head coach Mike McCarthy will need to be sure to limit Lacy's carries and keep him fresh.

After rushing the ball 284 times during his rookie season, Lacy had only 246 carries in 2015 despite playing in one additional game (16 total), signifying McCarthy's desire to limit his carries per game.

Their strong running game will continue to allow the Packers to exploit defensive looks on the ground and through the air. And with two fullbacks to lead block for Lacy, expect the star back to once again rack up more than 1,000 rushing yards in 2015.