The Green Bay Packers went from having a struggling run game to having too many running backs. Currently caring seven backs on the roster, the team will likely cut down a few. As of now rookie Eddie Lacy is emerging as possibly the lead back for the team and as he continues to improve others continue to fall off the depth chart. James Starks has been the starter for the Packers for the past few years, but he could see himself traded if he fails to improve.
Starks battled injuries last year, but overall he has been productive on the pass-first offense in Green Bay. While it is difficult for any of their backs to put up big numbers with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Starks managed 255 yards last season and 578 in 2011. However he has seen a fall from grace this year, currently sitting in fifth on the depth chart behind two rookies.
Head coach Mike McCarthy very rarely makes a roster heavy on the running back position. He has only carried four running backs twice in his coaching time, normally sticking to a three-back rotation. That does not help Starks. The Packers signed Lacy and Johnathan Franklin as rookies and DuJuan Harris is also coming on strong. While Starks might have started a preseason game, he fumbled and was pulled.
Starks has experience under his belt and proven quality that make him easy trade bait. Starks was a hero of the 2010 Packers Super Bowl run. ProFootballZone notes that the Packers are well-aware of what they have in Starks and what his worth is to other teams. Assistant coach Alex Van Pelt told media that he is not sure how the Starks situation will eventually play out.
"He started the first game," Van Pelt said, referring to Starks. "We're just trying to make sure guys have the right opportunities through rep count. DuJuan's been taking a lot of the reps this week just to catch him up."
As of now, the plan appears to be that Harris and Lacy will be the featured back. Lacy has earned praise from all the coaches for his preseason performance. Franklin is worth nothing in a trade right now as a rookie. While the Packers are aware that Starks is the longest tenured member of that unit, he could be the odd man out.