AJ Dillon

We've watched Jamaal Williams get 226 carries and 80 targets in 28 games under Matt LaFleur, and he wasn't someone this regime drafted in the second round. That amounts to 10.9 touches per game, which is enough for most running backs to be considered a flex-type start. The issue with Dillon is that he's not likely going to be involved in the passing game, as Aaron Jones is a far superior receiver, and the Packers do throw quite a bit on the goal-line when Aaron Rodgers is under center. Dillon is essentially someone who's a touchdown-dependent flex option most weeks, but offers legitimate RB1 upside if Jones were to miss any time.

AJ Dillon primed to be leaned on more this year, per RBs coach

Ben Sirmans, running back coach for the Green Bay Packers, stated the team will lean on AJ Dillon a lot more in 2021 than they did last season.

Fantasy Impact

While many expect Dillon to slide into the role formerly held by Jamaal Williams, fantasy managers need to remember Dillon and Williams are vastly different players. Williams has averaged eight carries and 2.5 receptions per game over the last two seasons. It is unlikely that the former second-round pick out of Boston College is as involved in the passing game as the newly signed Detroit Lion. However, if Aaron Jones is to pick up some of the slack in the passing game left behind by Williams, Dillon could yet handle a healthier amount of carries than his predecessor did. Matt LaFleur has never given Jones a heavy workload and that is unlikely to start in 2021. If Jones is more involved in the passing game, it seems to reason that Dillon could yet siphon some of Jones' carries along with the ones Williams left behind to keep Jones' workload in check. The second-year pro figures to handle 10-12 carries per game with minimal work in the passing game. Due to the explosiveness of the Packers' offense, as long as Rodgers is under center, he can be used by fantasy managers as a flex play because of his ample scoring opportunity in this offense. In games where the Packers are expected to win easily, the man known as "Quadzilla" will make for a strong fantasy play with the possibility of an even heavier workload when they are leaning on the run game late. Dillon also presents as arguably the best handcuff in all of fantasy football and will become a league winner should anything happen to Aaron Jones.