Are Packers Ready to Replace AJ Dillon? Target Emerges

With AJ Dillon set to hit free agency, the Green Bay Packers are looking to upgrade their backfield. One potential target is Zack Moss of the Indianapolis Colts.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Packers are among the potential suitors for Moss, who was part of the same 2020 NFL draft class as Dillon.

A third-round pick by Buffalo in 2020, he was acquired by the Colts at the 2022 trade deadline. In 2023, he set career highs in games (14), starts (eight), rushes (183), rushing yards (794), rushing touchdowns (five), receptions (27) and total yards (986).

“You remember how fun it is,” Moss told The Indy Star. “Sometimes in this league, you understand that a lot of it is business. But when you get an opportunity like I got an opportunity to play a lot and be starting and that type of stuff, it takes you back to having fun and cutting it loose and not worrying about the business side and you just play ball.”

Getting substantial playing time with Jonathan Taylor out of the lineup, Moss averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Of 49 running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts, Moss ranked 27th with 2.6 yards after contact per carry and 16th with a missed-tackle rate of 16.4 percent.

By contrast, Dillon averaged 3.4 yards per carry, 38th with 2.4 yards after contact per carry and 47th with a missed-tackle rate of 6.7 percent.

Through six games last season, he was second in the NFL with 466 rushing yards and eighth with a 4.8-yard average.

“When he’s really playing, he's leading the league," quarterback Gardner Minshew said at the time. “One of the best in the league, can make guys miss, getting some really hard yards you wouldn't expect. Excited to get him rolling again.”

Moss had games of 165 yards against the Tians and 122 yards against the Ravens early in the season.

Said Taylor: “I think he’s shown that he’s a top back.”

Moss is listed at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds by the Colts. He posted a horrendous Relative Athletic Score but has proven to be a productive runner.