It is hard to see how Hillman adds up from a cost-per-snap standpoint given Starks is a decent blocker and receiver for 3rd. down duty while the better conditioned 2014 version of Lacy showed good ability as a receiver.
If the Packers were to sign him for other than a super cheap deal, it will be a sign that Thompson is going all-in for 2016 with the draft being immediate-need-oriented, if it isn't otherwise.
However, there is a need for a change-of-pace back for spot duty providing a better threat in the pitch, sweep and draw calls that have not been effective in recent years.
Lacy, Starks and Crockett are north/south, between-the-tackles runners.
In 2014, the Packers were going to open the season with DuJuan Harris (a UDFA) as the change-of-pace back. That plan was derailed when he reinjured his knee in the last preseason game.
In 2013, the Packers drafted Franklin in the 4th. round as a complement to Lacy and Starks. To illustrate the point, in Franklin's one big game before the unfortunate neck injury, his 51 yard run was on a pitch; his one TD was on a bounce-out to the corner. The Packers opened that season with 4 RBs, including Seine who also brought some speed.
In 2011, the Packers drafted Alex Green in the 3rd. round and carried him through 2012. He was Mr. Pass Down Draw Play at Hawaii. Unfortunately, he didn't bring anything else with him, and his ability to break plays out of the draw evaporated against NFL defenses. Nonetheless, he was drafted to be that change-of-pace 3rd. down back, and carried into 2012 in the hope he'd make the jump.
From 2007 - 2009, Brandon Jackson, (2nd. round pick) was the change of pace/3rd. down back, averaging 6 touches per game, complementing Grant as the starting back. That was the plan for 2010 before Grant's season ending injury on opening day. Jackson was then miscast as the starter. With Starks emergence, Jackson went back to spot duty. Without Starks there would have been no Super Bowl.
2015 was the first season in nearly a decade where there was no plan to have a change of pace back on the roster, with Harris and Crockett both between-the-tackles pounders. There is one caveat: Montgomery. There may have been a plan to use him out of the backfield as the change-of-pace guy. He did that a little, but with the other receiver injuries followed by his own any plan along those lines would have been derailed.
So, unless the plan is to use the "Field Marshal" in that role in 2016, I would expect the Packers to bring in a rookie change-of-pace guy. They probably will regardless since they have always started the season with 3 RBs even when Cobb was projected (and occasionally used) for change of pace.
I could see the Packers going as high as the 4th. round if the right guy is still on the board.
