Kaelon Black Is A Day 3 Packers Target With Championship Pedigree

The Green Bay Packers have found impact players on Day 3 of the NFL Draft under general manager Brian Gutekunst. On the final day of the draft, they've found players like Zach Tom, Romeo Doubs, Kingsley Enagbare, Carrington Valentine, Rasheed Walker, and countless others. Knowing the importance of hitting on that last day is half the battle. If the Packers look for a running back in the final rounds this year, Indiana's Kaelon Black could be a target.

Kaelon Black started his college career at James Madison and, after two years, followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. He saved his best for last, rushing for a career-high 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries as the Hoosiers waltzed their way to a National Championship.

Black split the workload in the backfield with Roman Hemby, who rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns. The duo was one of the best one-two punches in college football.

Now, Black has his eyes set on the NFL. While Green Bay has plenty in place at running back, it could use some depth or a fallback option in case injuries arise. Of course, any team could use the need for depth as an excuse at any position, but it was a genuine problem for the Packers last year.

Green Bay took MarShawn Lloyd in the third round two years ago and has appeared in only one game due to numerous injuries. After injuring his knee last year at MetLife Stadium, Josh Jacobs was in and out of the lineup to end 2025 and gutted his way through the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.

Jacobs doesn't have an extensive injury history during his time in the NFL. However, at age 28 and coming off what could be categorized as somewhat of a down season for him, there's a degree of unpredictability for the veteran. Lloyd is a complete mystery at this point.

The true depth piece will come in the form of Chris Brooks. However, even with Lloyd on the shelf, last year Green Bay seemed more than willing to carry four running backs on the roster. Emanuel Wilson was the key backup for Jacobs but is now in Seattle. If the Packers are comfortable rolling with four again, that fourth RB could be someone taken late in the draft who wins the job in training camp.

Enter Kaelon Black.

Black is physical at the point of attack and does a good job of grinding out every yard possible. He isn't as polished as a pass blocker, which the Packers emphasize, but he's more than willing in that department. Green Bay’s coaching staff could help him grow that part of his game.

His overall running style can be choppy, and Black ran just a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at Indiana's pro day. None of his metrics leap off the page, but he has proven to be consistent.

So why bring up Black as an option?

The Packers reportedly will be hosting the Indiana running back on a pre-draft visit, so there is clearly some interest from Green Bay in finding out more about the Hoosiers’ back.

According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, what you see is what you get with Black.

So there isn’t a big Wow Factor to Black's game, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be a worthwhile selection. Excellence can be displayed in many forms, and in some cases, that can mean simplicity and consistency.

Black comes from a winning culture where Cignetti demanded excellence. Black even mentioned, half jokingly, that he hears Cignetti's voice whether he's cooking, vacuuming, or doing other projects. A consistent player with a high level of character, like Black, is someone you want in the locker room.

The draft may come and go without the Packers selecting a running back. That wouldn’t be shocking. If they do draft one, it will likely come later on, potentially on Day 3. In that case, Black could get an extended look from Gutekunst.