The Green Bay Packers are evaluating Indiana's Kaelon Black, a powerful 2026 draft prospect, to bolster their running back corps and add crucial competition.
The Green Bay Packers are not going to shy away from a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They do have other, more pressing needs, of course.
Cornerback is arguably their biggest need, and defensive line is right there, too.
Keep in mind, when healthy, Josh Jacobs is an All-Pro running back, and they do have him on the roster heading into 2026. The "when healthy" part of that statement is doing a bit of work after his 2025 season, but Jacobs is still the starter and "workhorse" running back in Green Bay until further notice.
And yet, behind Jacobs on the depth chart is the always-injured MarShawn Lloyd and then Chris Brooks, who is a solid depth piece, but he's known more for his pass-blocking than his rushing.
That's undoubtedly why general manager Brian Gutekunst recently revealed that the Packers are still looking to add more talent to the running back room.
“I like our group,” Gutekunst said recently at the NFL annual meetings, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “Obviously, we brought Chris Brooks back. We think the world of him, not only as an offensive running back in all phases but also a special teams player. I feel really confident, if he has to go into a game, what he’s gonna do. We’re certainly gonna add competition to that room. But I like — whether it’s MarShawn (Lloyd) as we get him healthy and get him going, (and) Pierre Strong’s there. There’s guys we really like, but I’m sure there will be more competition to come.”
Not long after Gutekunst said that, news has come out that the Packers will spend one of their Top 30 visits with Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black this week.
The Packers had formally interviewed Black down at the Senior Bowl a few weeks ago, and now he's heading to Green Bay this week for more evaluation and conversation.
Black checks in at a stout 5-foot-10, 211 pounds, and he rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for Indiana -- averaging a more than healthy 5.6 yards per carry.
He's a former 2-star recruit who committed to James Madison out of high school, and then he followed Curt Cignetti from JMU to IU.
"Black has adequate size for the NFL, though he is slightly below average in both height and weight," PFF wrote in a scouting report. "He runs with a strong lower body, a high motor and a physical mentality that helps him generate solid yards after contact. His powerful legs also allow him to accelerate quickly once he plants and goes."
That sounds a bit like Jacobs as a runner, so perhaps the Packers won't want to double-up in that regard. He runs like thunder, so maybe they may want to find some lightning.
Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black (8) rushes up the field for a touchdown Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the 112th annual Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. Indiana Hoosiers defeated Alabama Crimson Tide, 38-3. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Still, it's worth noting that the Packers are definitely interested in Black, and it's not like they'd have to use their second- or even third-round pick to get him.
His experience on Indiana's historic national championship team, as well as his track record with Cignetti, arguably the best coach in college football, could make him a very appealing day three pick.
PFF ranks Black as the No. 184 prospect in this draft, which equates to about a fifth-round pick.
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