Green Bay Packers: Training Camp Roster Battles

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) celebrates as the Packers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-13 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

5. Running Back

Options (8): Eddie Lacy, James Starks, John Crockett, Rajion Neal, Malcolm Agnew, Alonzo Harris, John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski

2014 roster (4): Eddie Lacy, James Starks, DuJuan Harris, John Kuhn

What to expect: Eddie Lacy is the future at this position for the Packers. Some people see the No. 3 RB job up for grabs but I’ll go as far as to say that Starks returning is not a sure thing, either. After all, Starks will soon be turning 30 years old and is entering yet another contract year (he signed a two-year, $3.25 million deal last March).

The team has the luxury of staying put with Starks for another year unless someone wows them in the next several weeks but do not be surprised if it happens. John Crockett, though undrafted, would be an excellent change-of-pace runner in the backfield and could turn some heads.

As far as the fullback position is concerned, John Kuhn is the man to beat. Make no mistake, Aaron Ripkowski wasn’t drafted to ride the bench for the next unforeseeable future. Kuhn signed a one-year deal and is now 32 years old. It’s worth keeping an eye on Ripkowski as he tries to seize the starting job, which is not a completely unrealistic expectation.

My prediction is that the Packers carry three running backs and both fullbacks under the 53-man roster. An additional fullback will likely replace a tight end’s spot on the roster and will almost certainly need to contribute on special teams.

Next: The Home of Clay Matthews