The Green Bay Packers are showing some interest in Denver Broncos free agent running back Ronnie Hillman, as reported by Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
With Cook, #Packers hit the over on vet FA signings, so they're likely done. But they've been poking around on RBs, including Ronnie Hillman
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 28, 2016
Though the Packers have managed to retain both Eddie Lacy and James Starks in the backfield, there are obvious reasons they might be looking for some depth. During regular-season play last season, Lacy managed only 758 yards and three touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry. Starks was even less impressive, with 601 yards and two touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry.
Ronnie Hillman, on the other hand, had 863 yards and seven touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry, despite the fact that Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler combined for the second-worst quarterback rating in the NFL. Hillman is also younger, 24, and has less football miles on his body due to his limited share of touches in the backfield. Hillman is young and fresh, but he still has four seasons worth of professional football under his belt, including super bowl experience.
Statistics aside, Lacy also suffered from injuries and weight problems last season. The problem was so pronounced that Packers head coach Mike McCarthy publicly mentioned it during a season-ending news conference.
“Eddie Lacy, he’s got a lot of work to do. His offseason last year was not good enough, and he never recovered from it,” McCarthy said, via ESPN. “He cannot play at the weight he was at this year.”
Though Lacy has made efforts to lose weight, Hillman could definitely provide a new dynamic to the Packers backfield, and with the money the Broncos have already poured into C.J. Anderson, it’s not likely that Hillman will be back in Denver next season.