Green Bay Packers backfield competition heating up

Aug 9, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Hakeem Smith (38) dives for the tackle against Green Bay Packers running back Rajion Neal (34) during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers have a good old-fashioned tryout on their hands for the third running back job. After returning from a left ankle injury that caused him to miss over a month of training, undrafted rookie John Crockett has planted himself back in the conversation with 2014 holdover Rajion Neal. Factor in fellow rookie free agent Alonzo Harris who had the strongest preseason debut of the bunch, and it’s competition time.

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Eddie Lacy and James Starks remain firmly entrenched at running back, with the larger-than-life Lacy looking especially impressive in his first live action last Thursday. Their impact on the dynamic of this running back depth chart cannot be understated, however. Will the Green Bay Packers lean towards a pass-catching back that compliments the two men ahead of him, or a more complete back that can climb the ladder should one of his position mates fall?

Green Bay should see a skilled receiving back, all-around threat and power potential in the three leading candidates, but the men they’ll be running behind should also play a hand in the final decision. Fullback John Kuhn is likely to earn a spot for one more season, while rookie Aaron Ripkowski is seizing every opportunity on special teams.

“That was the plan, to go out and make a little rumble and do as I’m told and fit in the right gaps and do what (special teams coach Ron) Zook tells us,” Ripkowsi told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. If making “a little rumble” isn’t a fullback’s mentality, I haven’t seen it.

It’s a crowded backfield in Green Bay, but much like their talented wide receiver depth chart, that’s a good problem to have. Will the best man win this battle, or perhaps the best fit? Ahead, we profile all three running backs and how they could potentially run their way into the Packers picture for 2015.

Next: A 2014 holdover with the inside track?