Packers Sign ‘Breakaway Speed’ 2,700-Yard Running Back
Even after choosing Marshawn Lloyd of USC in the third round of the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers kept adding to their running back depth.
Jarveon Howard, a former running back for Syracuse and Alcorn State, was signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft was over.
With 407 carries for 2,042 yards and 19 touchdowns in his two seasons at Alcorn State, 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds Howard demonstrated that he is more than capable of handling a heavy workload.
With his strength and breakaway speed, Howard “instilled fear in defenses,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Kyle T. Mosley. “During his 2022 campaign, he emerged as the top rusher in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.”
Howard finished his three-year college career at Syracuse having gained 2,773 yards and 29 touchdowns with rushes. Howard also showed promise as a pass-catcher out of the backfield during an outstanding 20223 season at Alcorn State, hauling in 26 receptions for 172 yards at an average of 6.6 yards per catch.
During Mississippi State’s pro day, Howard took part in a workout that caught the attention of NFL evaluators. He completed the 40-yard dash in an astounding 4.52 seconds, completed 28 repetitions of the bench press, demonstrated an incredible 36.5 vertical jump, and cleared 10 feet 8 inches in the broad jump.
In a crowded backfield in Green Bay, Howard will probably face competition from Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson, Josh Jacobs, the former NFL running champion, and A.J. Dillon for a roster place and potential carries behind free agent acquisitions.
Jarveon’s fan, the star of the New Orleans Saints Because they attended the same high school, East Marion High School in Columbia, Mississippi, Howard Howard and New Orleans Saints safety Jonathan Abram had a close relationship. Now, Howard is hoping to follow Abram’s route and become an NFL player.
When Howard played varsity as an eighth grader during Abram’s senior year in 2014, the two were teammates for that one season, and they have stayed friends ever since.
Abram’s best tip for navigating the pre-draft process, according to Howard, was to “clear my mind and do what I need to do and that was the thing,” the New Orleans Saints website reported. “You’re going to encounter challenges that you may feel you can’t handle, but you can overcome that,” he told me.
The two Colombian natives might play against one other when the Saints and Packers play each other in 2024, depending on how Howard does in rookie minicamp and this summer.
Brian Gutekunst explains his selection of Michael Pratt in the draft
General manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers added depth to the quarterback position at the 2024 NFL Draft, despite the fact that Sean Clifford is a strong leader in a quarterback room full of young players and that Jordan Love is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.
One year after drafting quarterback Clifford with a fifth-round pick, Green Bay selected Michael Pratt of Tulane in the seventh round.
“After the draft on Saturday, I wanted to add a quarterback and a bunch went early,” Gutekunst said to reporters. Thus, there weren’t many men available in the middle rounds. Thus, it was kind of good that as we went later and later, Pratt was the only one we really wanted to pursue.
Investing in a developing quarterback late in the draft has several benefits, including the ability to use him as a future trade asset or as insurance against starter injuries.
After completing a four-year career at Tulane where he passed for 9,611 yards with 90 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, Pratt comes to Green Bay.
“Clearly a victor,” Gutekunst remarked of Pratt. “He made a major improvement to the program. started numerous games on their behalf. He plays sports well. He has a reasonably active arm. incredibly precise. similar to how he conducted himself. We’re happy since he got some significant victories.
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