Eddie Lacy’s unexpected slide to Green Bay could have landed him in the perfect position

RollTide.com

Heading into the 2013 NFL draft, most analysts seemed to agree that Alabama product Eddie Lacy was the top running back available, and the only one truly worthy of a first-round selection.

At the very least, he appeared in line to be one of the top two backs off the board, along with North Carolina’s Giovani Barnard.

Well, most analysts were wrong.

For the first time ever, no running backs were selected in the first round of the draft, and while Bernard did become the first back selected (by the Cincinnati Bengals), two others were drafted before Lacy finally found a new home.

After sitting idly by on Thursday night, Lacy was forced to wait and watch on Friday as Bernard, Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball were drafted ahead of him in round two.

However, by the time Lacy’s unexpected slide finally came to an end (with the 61st overall selection), the two-time national champion found himself in perhaps the best situation to find success at the next level: with the Green Bay Packers.

Over the past few seasons, the Packers have carved out a reputation as one of the most dangerous passing teams in the league. This reputation has come in part because of the presence of Aaron Rodgers under center and in part because of a talented receiving corps featuring the likes of Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb.

Of course, the Packers have also “earned” their reputation as a pass first/pass often team because of their inability to produce any semblance of a consistent rushing attack.

Green Bay did manage to field the league’s 20th ranked rushing offense during the 2012 regular season, but they did so without having a single back top the 500 yards mark. Second-year pro Alex Green led the team with 464 yards, but averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on the season. The Packers tried a few retreads, like former Bengal Cedric Benson and former Packer Ryan Grant, but either due to injury other circumstances, no one was ever able to really take hold of the position.

Still, the Packers managed to post an 11-5 regular season record and earn an NFC North division title. However, after a decisive 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round, Green Bay was ousted in round two by the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, 45-31.

Could a more balanced offensive attack have allowed the Packers to better control the tempo and edge out a win over the 49ers in January? Perhaps. Perhaps not. One thing seems certain, however. A more balance offense should make the Packers even more dangerous moving forward.

This, of course, is where Lacy comes in. While the former Alabama star may not have the game-breaking ability many NFL teams covet, he is a dependable, grinding workhorse back, as evidenced by the 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns he produced last season for the Crimson Tide.

At 5’11″, 231 pounds, Lacy has the look and build of a prototypical every-down back, which is precisely what Green Bay has been missing in recent seasons. While he still has yet to take an NFL field, and we’re still only examining things on paper, all signs seem to point to Lacy having the ability of completely changing the landscape in Green Bay, and potentially in the entire NFC.

Not only will opposing defenses have to worry about stopping Rodgers (who just became the league’s highest paid player) and his talented group of pass-catchers, but they will now have to respect Green Bay’s ability to move the football on the ground. The Packers’ ability to move the football through the air will only open up running room for Lacy. In turn, Lacy’s ability to gain consistent yardage will prevent defenses from playing the pass almost exclusively, and should give Green Bay an added advantage when trying to close out opponents late in games.

Oh, and let’s not forget that the two teams most expected to rival Green Bay in the division next season–the Vikings and Bears–already have the benefit of a franchise running back in place.

The pairing between the Packers and Lacy is one that appears almost perfect for both parties, and one that should allow Lacy to find both individual and team success early in his career.

Which, ultimately, should prove to me much more important than the slot in which he was drafted.

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