March 26, 2026, 5:20 p.m. CT

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

With Josh Jacobs on the roster, the Green Bay Packers have their bell-cow running back. Add in Chris Brooks, and the Packers have their one-two punch at running back.

MarShawn Lloyd, a former third-round pick, can’t be counted on until he can stay healthy for longer than 72 hours. If the Packers could look into a crystal ball and see the future and find out that Lloyd could stay healthy for most of the season, they could feel comfortable rolling into the upcoming season with a running back trio of Jacobs, Brooks and Lloyd.

Since that type of stuff is only possible in sci-fi movies, the Packers could look to add a running back with one of their Day 3 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a potential target being Chip Trayanum.

A four-star linebacker recruit from Ohio, Trayanum started his college career at Arizona State. Trayanum spent two seasons with the Sun Devils and rushed for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns. He then transferred to Ohio State for two seasons and rushed for 456 yards and three touchdowns. He then went to Kentucky for the 2024 season and was limited to three games due to injury.

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Trayanum headed home for the 2025 season and rushed for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 21 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns.

In total, Trayanum played at four schools in six seasons. The former high school linebacker logged 366 snaps on special teams and recorded six tackles. As a rookie, he’s likely going to serve as a team’s third running back and his experience playing on coverage units will make him an attractive Day 3 target.

“His greatest strength is his versatility,” Shane Coughlin, the Director of College Scouting for the Shrine Bowl, said. “We have to pan out and consider his career arc of changing positions, contributing to several phases on special teams, and bringing the experience of four different playcallers and offenses. In my mind, the pattern of his career decisions shows an adaptable player who has all the physical tools. What will separate him is turning on the tape and first scouting the running back while also noting the willingness to run down on kickoff, lead blocking as a fullback, or any other role that is asked of him.”

At 5-10, 224 pounds, Trayanum is well-constructed for the position. He runs with purpose at contact and racked up 560 yards after contact this past season. He’s a power grinder on inside runs. He has quick feet and explodes through the hole. He runs with patience and his eyes stay alert for cutback lanes.

To pair with his power, Trayanum has some explosiveness to his game. He has decisive short-area burst and makes sharp cuts without throttling down. He recorded 17 runs of 15-plus yards this past season. At Toledo’s Pro Day, Trayanum clocked a 4.53 40-yard dash.

“He has outstanding GPS numbers over 22 MPH, which, with his bulk, is incredibly exciting,” Coughlin said. “Paired with several other of his explosive testing numbers, I think he’s shown on film and in testing scenarios that he’s capable of breaking off chunk plays, but more importantly, reaching and maintaining top speed through his cuts. This also makes him difficult to tackle through congestion and in the open field where his low center of gravity and gathered momentum give him contact balance at all levels of the field.”

Trayanum showcased soft hands out of the backfield and finished this past season with career marks in receptions and receiving yards. He looks for work in pass protection and with his frame, he’s physical presence. 

“He’s shown capable hands out of the backfield and earned significant production through the air this past season,” Coughlin said. “In short, developing routes, you can see him hit his landmarks and locate the ball with good pace and then he goes to work in space with similar athleticism and playmaking ability we’ve seen on handoffs. I think he’ll get early playing time because the frame is so compelling as a blocker, but the ability to also contribute as a pass catcher will allow play callers the freedom to give him route opportunities as well.”

Fit with the Packers

Green Bay’s rushing attack lacked an explosive element this past season. According to Pro Football Focus, Josh Jacobs recorded 10 runs of 15-plus yards and 24 runs of 10-plus yards.  

While Trayanum is not a burner by any means, he could bring some explosiveness to Green Bay’s rushing attack. He’s a hard-charging runner with some explosive elements to his game. He’s capable of picking up the tough yards and ripping off chunk plays. That combination could make him an ideal replacement for Emmanuel Wilson.

He checks the boxes with his athleticism and special teams experience. He’d be an ideal target on Day 3 as the Packers look for running back depth and special teams help.

“Going back to his career and his wide-ranging contributions, there are so many reasons to draft Chip,” Coughlin said. “I can see different clubs with any style or scheme of offense with distinctly separate but equally viable visions for him to make the team and contribute. When considering his developmental ceiling as a third-down back with an ideal pass blocking frame and the special teams experience, I think position coaches, special teams coordinators, as well as area scouts will all be bullish on the amount of ways he can help you win.”