Running back is an underrated need for the Green Bay Packers entering the offseason. Josh Jacobs is under contract through the 2027 season. However, he just turned 28, and his cap hit is scheduled to rise significantly over the next two years. He is set to count $14.5 million against the cap in 2026 and $16.6 million in 2027, sizable figures for a running back approaching his late 20s.

Meanwhile, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are slated to become restricted free agents in March. Both will be free to negotiate and sign with other teams. However, the Packers can retain control by extending one of several qualifying offers, or tenders, that include the right of first refusal and potential draft-pick compensation.

At least one of them should return, providing short-term stability behind Jacobs. Still, while the immediate outlook for the backfield appears to be solid, the longer-term picture is concerning, reinforcing the case for Green Bay to think ahead at the position rather than react later.

The 2026 running-back draft class projects to be robust, headlined by Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, who could be a top-10 pick. Meanwhile, Green Bay is not scheduled to pick until No. 52, but the depth of the class still presents intriguing options. Several backs will be available in the middle rounds, and Penn State’s Kaytron Allen is one interesting name to monitor.

Penn State RB Kaytron Allen (5-11, 220) has been a complete back at Senior Bowl

18.61 MPH speed, smooth routes, tough in between tackles, great in pass block

Was incredibly productive this season pic.twitter.com/HL5qFxPrgY

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 29, 2026

Kaytron Allen posted back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025 with at least 1,100 rushing yards, 210 or more carries, and eight or more touchdowns with the Nittany Lions. Over the course of his college career, he has totaled 4,180 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns.

Kaytron Allen can play that David Montgomery role for NFL teams:

– Size/power combination
– Vision and patience at the LOS
– Good footwork and elusiveness

He’s a 220+ pound RB that can operate between the tackles and run through your mf face.

Value in rookie drafts. pic.twitter.com/2VEYQwlZCX

— Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 29, 2026

Short-yardage situations were a recurring issue for Green Bay’s offense last season, often requiring outsized effort to gain minimal yardage. Allen’s skill set directly addresses that weakness. He’s an excellent gap runner who consistently finishes runs through contact, surpassing 700 yards after contact in each of the past two seasons.

In 2025 alone, Allen forced 57 missed tackles. Furthermore, he owns a forced-missed-tackle rate of 0.27, the second-highest among running backs in the 2026 draft class, trailing only Jeremiyah Love. For context, the average forced-missed-tackle rate for running backs drafted since 2015 sits at 0.15

Kaytron Allen (5’11 220) Penn State

+ Prototype running back build
+ 6.2 yards per carry in 2025
+ Short yardage power
+ Ball security with 1 fumble in each season the last two years (over 200 rushing attempts in each)
+ Rushing production has improved each year from 867 yards… pic.twitter.com/nKsJqqJxsL

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 6, 2026

Still, Allen’s ability as a runner alone may not be enough to convince Brian Gutekunst to pull the trigger. The Packers have consistently valued running backs who can contribute across every facet of the offense, particularly in pass protection. That emphasis is part of the reason Chris Brooks has maintained a roster spot over the past two seasons, and it is a key threshold any back must clear to earn trust in Green Bay’s system.

This past year, Allen showed he can be at least serviceable in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 29th out of 112 qualifying college running backs in pass-blocking grade, a solid result that suggests he isn’t a liability in that area. While it’s not the strongest part of his game, being reliable in protection helps round out his profile and makes him more than just a downhill runner.

The consensus big board currently slots Allen as the 92nd-ranked player in the class, placing him squarely in the third-round range. As much as I like Kaytron Allen as a prospect, I would prefer to see the Packers prioritize both sides of the trenches before turning their attention to running back. Taking that approach would almost certainly push any running back selection to Day 3, reinforcing Green Bay’s tendency to build the foundation first and address the position later.