Packers film review: Analyzing Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson

Aaron Jones is back with the Packers, and A.J. Dillon is entering Year 2. But does that mean Green Bay won’t select running back in the upcoming draft? Not necessarily.

Jamaal Williams played 418 snaps last season but is now signed with the Detroit Lions. Dillon will probably absorb most of the reps Williams saw in 2020, however, Matt LaFleur likes having a stable of running backs – preferably three – at his disposal.

If the Packers want to add another running back to the mix this off-season, they could select University of Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson with a Day 3 pick. Patterson produced 3,884 rushing yards and 52 rushing touchdowns on 636 attempts over three years playing for the Bulls.

Standing at 5-7 and weighing 195 pounds, Patterson is a bowling ball for a running back. He also has decent speed after running a 4.52 at his pro day.

When I watch Patterson play, I see a slasher-style running back, much like Jones is for Green Bay. To learn more about what kind of player Patterson is, let’s look at some of his college film:

Let’s start with Patterson’s speed. 4.5 is plenty fast for a running back, so Patterson shouldn’t have speed concerns at the next level. In the first clip, Patterson takes the hand off from the pistol and shotgun, therefore, he has more time to accelerate before getting to the line of scrimmage. Still, I think Patterson has solid burst to get advantageous angles against tacklers, even when the quarterback is under center.

Sometimes a run call or scheme will call for patience, other times, you may have to make up your mind in a hurry. Patterson can do both using his vision, and these are a couple of good examples of him running with conviction when the hole is there.

Patterson isn’t just a bowling ball. He has some legit fluidity to his footwork, which allows him to slip through arm tackles and pick up extra yardage. Patterson doesn’t need a ton of room either. He will juke or cut in an instant, even while in a phone booth to make a guy miss.

An awesome juke here that also exemplifies Patterson’s nuances as a runner. After completing his move, he switches hands to protect the ball away from the next defender. This is a great example of his mental processing and thinking one step ahead.

Even though we’ve seen Patterson showcase his shiftiness, he can run also behind his pads. This type of play strength makes him tough to bring down and use his compact build to his advantage. In the play above, we see Patterson spin out of one tackle and then use a stiff arm to gain 10 extra yards. If this clip reminds Packers fans of anyone, it’s Aaron Jones.

One thing that sticks out about Patterson is his mental toughness. Despite size limitations, he doesn’t let that define him as a player. Patterson can carry a pile of defenders a couple of extra yards if it means putting his offense in better position.

Patterson can make a career out of second-effort runs. His contact balance is one of his better traits.

One thing that sticks out about Patterson is his willingness in pass protection. He’s not afraid to step in front of a blitz even when he knows he’s about to get punished. This type of mindset is extremely valuable, and would certainly come in hand in Green Bay, where running backs are expected to pass protect.

Here we see Patterson cut block a blitzing linebacker. This is excellent technique and execution.

Still not convinced about Patterson’s blocking ability? Here is another play with him in pass protection and also a play where he is utilized as a run blocker. During the second play, Patterson drives and finishes against a defender that is much bigger than him. Notice the technique he uses to position his body to create a gap for his fellow running back, who runs for a huge gain. This is a tremendous display of Patterson’s versatility and why he will be a good fit on an NFL roster.

Of course, there are some things Patterson will need to work on at the next level. In a running back by committee, Patterson should be able to find snaps but probably not in short-yardage situations.

Asking him to gut it out against stacked boxes, whether it be third and short or down at the goal line, is not how he is best utilized. Still, even when the odds are against him, we see Patterson lunge for the end zone for the touchdown. He’s an unbelievable competitor.

An area Patterson needs to work on is his ability as a receiver. He has the tools to be an effective back on angle routes and swings routes, but that wasn’t something he was asked to do much of in college. In 2020, he actually didn’t catch a single pass. If Patterson can find a way to be a viable option as a receiving back, it will help him get on the field more as a pro.

People will say Patterson didn’t face the strongest competition in college. It’s a legitimate critique, but his film highlights a lot of characteristics that are hard to ignore. Yes, Patterson probably won’t jump onto the scene and become a starter right away, but he could be an asset on special teams and as a No. 2 or 3 running back. That is why he is a good fit for the Packers. Having him learn behind a consummate pro like Jones could do wonders for his development.

Green Bay has seven picks on Day 3 of the 2021 draft. If Patterson is still hanging around, it may be wise to take a late-round flier on a third running back that can pretty much do it all.

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