Unpacking Future Packers: No. 9, Indiana RB Kaelon Black

"Kaelon was a great co-RB-1 alongside Roman Hemby, and the fact that they were both 1,000-yard rushers bears that out," Nick Rodecap, Indiana's play-by-play announcer for WIUX sports, said. "He was extremely reliable in short-yardage situations, as he seemingly always found a way to at least gain some yardage in difficult situations. I also think that he was a great pass blocker. He and Hemby both made that a focal point in their playstyles in 2025, and it paid big dividends. He sat behind Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton in 2024, and they both emphasized the importance of pass protection as running backs. Black always did his best to keep Fernando Mendoza clean."

Black runs hard and he's decisive. The Hoosier running back is a slippery runner who always seems to fall forward. His quick feet and vision help him quickly burst through holes. He gets going north in a hurry.

A former track athlete, Black clocked a 4.45 40-yard dash time at Indiana's Pro Day. According to Pro Football Focus, Black had 16 runs of 15-plus yards this past season. With his combination of strength and short-area quickness, Black is capable of ripping off explosive plays.

"His physicality and angry running style, combined with great vision and patience, allow him to get to and beyond the second level," Rodecap said. "He averaged 5.6 yards per carry at Indiana, and as I said before, his consistency was his calling card. It was very difficult to bring him down at or behind the line of scrimmage."

Black has good contact balance and a strong lower half to run through initial contact. He keeps his feet driving to pick up extra yards. According to PFF, Black racked up 646 yards after contact this past season. That strength is a big reason why Black was No. 58 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks list this summer.

"He is one of the strongest football players I've ever seen in person," Rodecap said. "His upper body strength is incredible. He is extremely physically gifted and he runs in such an angry manner that I wouldn't want to be on the other side trying to bring him down."

Black's receiving production doesn't stand out. However, for his career, he has just one drop. When his number was dialed up, he showcased natural hands. Where he stands out is in pass protection. He's an effective chipper, and he's alert and eager to meet defenders head-on to protect the quarterback.

Fit with the Packers

Black is a running back who takes care of business. He just does everything well. He's a patient runner with electric feet and outstanding vision.

There are a couple of knocks that could potentially keep him off Green Bay's board on Day 3 of the draft. First, he suffered a torn ACL early in his collegiate career. Second, he's going to turn 25 in October, which can be the kiss of death for running backs.

When it comes to fifth- or sixth-round picks, it's safe to assume that Gutekunst could feel comfortable taking Black to round out Green Bay's running back depth chart.

"He worked his tail off to become a starter as a senior, and his physical tools speak for themselves," Rodecap said. "He may begin his NFL career as a rotational piece or a special-teamer, but he has the work ethic and the selflessness that you need to succeed in the NFL. Whatever he does, he'll do it to the absolute best of his ability. The tape doesn't lie -- he's an angry runner and a solid pass blocker, and he'll be a great mid/late-round pickup for anyone who takes a chance on him."

Black could be a great second or third option playing behind Jacobs. He may not be a dynamic receiving threat, however, he can be trusted to play on third downs given his pass protection prowess. With the Packers in the market for competition at running back, Black could be the ideal target.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 9, Indiana RB Kaelon Black