If you’re making a list of Green Bay Packers players who might be on the roster bubble, Emanuel Wilson probably isn’t a name you’d think to add. Even with Green Bay’s crowded running back room, he seems like a fairly obvious candidate for the final 53-man squad. Still, there’s one thing we don’t know.
What exactly is his place in this offense?
It feels pretty safe to say at this point that Wilson is the second-best pure runner in Green Bay, behind Josh Jacobs. Chris Brooks is a more well-rounded running back but isn’t as explosive as Wilson. They took MarShawn Lloyd was in the third round last year, and the Packers would like to see him serve as the No. 2 back behind Jacobs. Lloyd is a spark plug with home-run capability who can serve as a legitimate change-of-pace back for Jacobs. Injuries have derailed those plans for Green Bay, though.
And then there’s Wilson, who doesn’t necessarily excel at pass blocking or at receiving out of the backfield. He’s at his best when they put the ball in his lap, and he’s able to create. In Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wilson made a run down the far sideline that a lot of backs would’ve ended with a little dance out of bounds when the defender was closing in. Wilson did the opposite. He lowered his pads and barreled over the defender, which lit up Green Bay’s sideline with cheers.
That’s what Wilson brings to the table. The problem is that some perceive him as something of a one-trick pony. If Green Bay keeps only three running backs, and if Lloyd gets healthy, the battle for that final spot would come down to Wilson and Brooks. Typically, the Packers have only kept three running backs on the active roster, so it’s reasonable to guess they’d go that route again.
However, Lloyd’s hamstring injury has elevated the importance of keeping Wilson in the mix.
On Sunday, running backs coach Ben Sirmans said he can’t remember seeing a player with the bad injury luck Lloyd has had early in his career.
To be honest, I have not and I don’t think any of us have, or very few of us have. It’s one of those unfortunate occurrences, but at some point just the way the guy works, you’ve just got to believe that at some point he will get past all this and be fine.
The injury, which could cost Lloyd the early part of the season, has opened the door wider for Wilson. He was second on the team last year in carries (103), rushing yards (502), and rushing touchdowns (four). It’s only fair to assume Wilson is a lock for the roster.
Once Lloyd gets back to full health, it’ll be a lot more uncertain. Sirmans said on Sunday, it’s all about trust when it comes to Wilson.
With Emanuel, it’s just about being consistent all the time because he’s got it in him. I think last year he might’ve only had one mental error, which for him, that speaks volumes from where he came from his rookie year. So I’m developing a lot more trust in him.
Regarding the suggestion that Wilson is only a pure runner, Sirmans is seeing improvement with Wilson as a pass blocker despite blowing an assignment on Saturday that led to a sack.
I just think it was one of those deals where he thought it was a three-step. He kinda thought the ball was gone and he’s gotta attack the line of scrimmage more because even if you go look at his one-on-ones against the Colts (in the joint practice), I mean, he was really, really solid at that.
It ultimately comes down to what the Green Bay coaches and staff believe is the team’s priority. If that’s a slashing back who can handle the pigskin to allow Jacobs a rest, the guy is Wilson. If it’s a more well-rounded running back who offers the ability to play on special teams, it’s Brooks.
For now, as long as Lloyd remains sidelined, it’s likely both.
There’s no doubt that if Wilson doesn’t make Green Bay’s final 53-man roster, another team will quickly pick him up. Lloyd’s health plays a huge factor in all of this. Wilson is a good running back who can pack a punch in a No. 2 or No. 3 role. He deserves to be in the NFL. The question for the Packers will be how many running backs they want to keep and what they are prioritizing at the position in 2025.