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It took almost the entire season, but the running back AJ Dillon showed on Sunday night a little of what made the Packers beat him in the second round of this year’s draft.
Dillon played just 54 offensive snaps before the game against the Titans, but he led all the back with 38 snaps in the 40-14 win. Dillon charged 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the second half that showed an enviable mix of speed and power.
After the game, Dillon said he feels he can “kind of peek at people” because they don’t expect him to have great speed with his size. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked like this was what happened to him.
“It was a surprise,” said Rodgers, through Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. “Not that we didn’t think he could do that, but we just hadn’t seen it. I remember I liked his attitude, I liked that you started to see his wreath come out, the confidence. It’s fun to see back, and he was bringing it. He was finishing the races in a way that he didn’t really make it to this point. “
In addition to being third on the depth table, Dillon’s debut season was also interrupted by a fight with COVID-19. It remains to be seen how the depth chart will look if and when Jamaal Williams returns to action, but Sunday night was a sign that Dillon may be able to help the Packers make the most of their post-season trip.