Tag: Marshawn Lloyd

Packers want RB Marshawn Lloyd on field as much as possible

In addition to Josh Jacobs, the Packers want to get rookie running back Marshawn Lloyd out on the field as much as possible.

What we know about the Green Bay Packers running back position is that Josh Jacobs will be at the top of the depth chart. After that, how the remaining snaps shake out is still an unknown, but third-round pick Marshawn Lloyd is going to factor in heavily to the Packers game plans.

The last time the Packers used an early-round pick on a running back was when they took AJ Dillon in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Although circumstances were a bit different with the Packers already having Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams on the roster, Dillon had only 55 rushing attempts as a rookie.

However, it doesn’t sound like that is the approach that the Packers are going to take with Lloyd:

“I would like to get him out there as much as possible,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. “He’s got a skill set that’s a little bit different than AJ’s as far as his speed. He’s not quite the bruiser that (Dillon) is obviously, but he’s got a different type of skill set. So it’ll be nice to get him the ball in space and just see what he can do. I think he’s gonna add a good explosive element to the offense, for sure.”

Along with Stenavich, Matt LaFleur has also pointed out that Lloyd’s burst and ability in space brings a different element to the Packers’ offense. LaFleur sees Lloyd as being a ‘matchup nightmare’ out of the backfield.

Lloyd measures in at 5-9 – 220 pounds but has shown an impressive ability to make defenders miss. At the NFL combine, Lloyd ran a 4.46-second 40 while also putting up 25 reps on the bench press–illustrating both the speed and strength he possesses.

During his 2023 season at USC, Lloyd averaged an impressive 7.1 yards per carry and a whopping 17.8 yards per reception, showcasing the ability that he has with the ball in his hands. And out of 200 eligible running backs. Lloyd ranked 26th in average yards after contact.

“I liked his speed,” added Stenavich. “I liked his speed a lot. He had some good runs in OTAs where you saw his burst. He’s got good vision. So I’m really excited about that out of the backfield.”

Along with Lloyd, the Packers also have Dillon and Emanuel Wilson on the roster, both of whom will presumably be fighting for a roster spot and some touches.

Dillon brings reliability to the position in all aspects, including as a pass catcher and in pass protection. However, he lacked playmaking, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry in 2023.

Wilson, in his limited attempts, showcased good burst with the ball, averaging 4.7 yards per rush, but he remains a relative unknown in terms of what the Packers can expect from him.

Prior to the draft, it felt like the competition for the backup running back role behind Jacobs was going to be one of the bigger camp battles to take place. However, as of now, with the Packers clearly wanting to get Lloyd on the field, the bigger question might be who is RB3 and who is left off the roster?

“He’s got serious speed,” said GM Brian Gutekunst about Lloyd. “He’s very elusive, he’s got great balance, so he’s a little bit different than some of the backs that we have in our depth chart right now.”

MarShawn Lloyd’s speed stands out during Packers rookie minicamp

“I liked his speed. I liked his speed a lot,” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich on rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd during rookie minicamp.

Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich was impressed with the speed displayed by third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd during the team’s two-day rookie minicamp this past weekend.

“I liked his speed. I liked his speed a lot. He had some good runs where you saw his burst. He’s got good vision. I’m really excited about that out of the backfield,” Stenavich said Monday.

Lloyd, the 88th overall pick, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at 220 pounds. Following the draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Lloyd has “serious speed” with the elusiveness and contact balance for breaking tackles, something he did often at South Carolina and USC.

Lloyd’s burst and shiftiness at 220 pounds are traits that make him a fascinating running back prospect for the Packers. In terms of “Speed Score,” or a measure of a prospect’s weight and 40-yard dash time, Lloyd ranked fourth among running backs in the draft class. Only Lloyd and Isaac Geurendo weighed at least 220 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds.

While the Packers signed veteran Josh Jacobs and brought back A.J. Dillon, Stenavich said he wants Lloyd and his explosiveness on the field right away as a rookie.

“I would like to get him out there as much as possible,” Stenavich said. “He’s got a skill set that’s different than A.J. as far as his speed. He’s not quite the bruiser, but he’s got a different skill set. It’ll be nice to get him the ball in space and see what he can do. I think he’ll add a good explosive element to the offense.”

Lloyd’s pass-catching potential could be another avenue for getting him on the field and the ball in his hands. He caught only 34 passes during his collegiate career but was consistently dangerous as a receiver, and the Packers loved the way he attacked 1-on-1s during the Senior Bowl.

“He definitely can be a weapon out of the backfield,” said coach Matt LaFleur. “I love all the measurables. He’s a 220-pound back that runs 4.4 and can run routes out of the backfield. I think he could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”

RB Marshawn Lloyd could be ‘matchup nightmare’ out of Packers’ backfield

RB Marshawn Lloyd didn’t have many pass catching opportunities in college, but the Packers see that being a key part of his contributions.

New Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd is coming to the NFL with relatively few opportunities in the passing game. However, Matt LaFleur sees that element as a key part of his contributions to this Packers team.

“He definitely can be a weapon out of the backfield,” said LaFleur. “I love all the measurables. He’s a 220-pound back that runs 4.4 and can run routes out of the backfield. I think he could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”

During Lloyd’s final two seasons at South Carolina and USC, he totaled just 43 targets during that span. For some context, at an average of just over 21 targets per season, that figure (21) in 2023 specifically would have ranked 99th out of all running backs.

Similarly to AJ Dillon when he was coming out of Boston College, he had very few in-game reps in the passing game, but as Brian Gutekunst mentioned following Day 2 of the NFL draft, having scouts at practices, attending the All-Star games, as well as watching at the combine give the Packers the confidence that Dillon, and now Lloyd, could impact the passing game.

“Very comfortable in the passing game,” said Lloyd after being drafted. “Definitely I feel like coach Lincoln Riley put me in really good positions to be able to, not having much routes but being very effective with it. I believe I had something like 17-plus yards a reception.

“I’m just being utilized in it as much as possible. I played with a team that had really good skills on the outside, a really good quarterback. So you know, it was just more of when things worked out, and I feel like it definitely worked out in the runs, the long run for sure.”

As Lloyd alluded to, while his opportunities in the passing game this past season at USC were somewhat limited, he certainly made the most of them, averaging a whopping 17.8 yards per catch on 13 receptions. For a wide receiver, 17.8 yards per catch is an impressive number and is almost unfathomable at running back.

Lloyd has good speed and has proven to be difficult to bring down, whether that be through his elusiveness in the open field, or contact balance, which contributed to him ranking 26th last season in average yards after contact while recording 7.1 yards per rush.

“He’s got serious speed,” said Gutekunst. “He’s very elusive; he’s got great balance, so he’s a little bit different than some of the backs that we have in our depth chart right now.”

When the running back position is able to impact the passing game out of the backfield, it can help open up the playbook for LaFleur and create matchup problems that can be exploited–not only for the running back but for his teammates as well.

When the Packers initially signed Josh Jacobs in free agency, LaFleur expressed a similar level of excitement when discussing Jacobs’ potential impact in the passing game. In five seasons with the Raiders, Jacobs was targeted 249 times, and as far as running backs go, he is fairly well-versed as a route runner.

The Packers believe that Lloyd has reliable hands, and we’ve all seen what he can do with the ball. However, with his limited opportunities in college, there will be a learning curve that comes with the route-running aspect of it, but the Packers infrastructure and Lloyd’s skill-set should put him in a position to maximize that potential.

“So again,” added Gutekunst, “now whether that can translate into running routes, that’s the harder part if they don’t do a lot of that. Then you’re kind of just betting on the athletic skill set and do they have the ability to do that stuff once they’re in our system and get coached by our guys.”

Green Bay Packers 2024 third-round pick: RB MarShawn Lloyd

The Packers selected USC running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round (No. 88 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 220
Age: 23
From: Wilmington, DE

College profile

Breakdown: Compact, well-built back with the burst, speed and balance through contact to create explosive plays. Big-play hunter on every run, creating boom or bust potential. Broke 47 tackles and averaged 7.1 yards per carry on only 116 carries last season. Caught 34 passes during collegiate career and showed ability to win 1-on-1 at the Senior Bowl. 23-year-old prospect but had only 291 carries. Led South Carolina in rushing in 2022 and USC in rushing in 2023. Scored 20 touchdowns on only 258 touches over final two seasons. Fumbled eight times (three in 2023), but Packers don’t think it’s an unfixable problem. Small hands. Likely to compete with A.J. Dillon for touches and snaps as the No. 2 running back behind Josh Jacobs right away.

Dane Brugler’s scouting report: “A one-year starter at USC, Lloyd was the top back on the depth chart in head coach Lincoln Riley’s RPO, spread (multiple-run) scheme. After three years at South Carolina, he transferred to the Trojans and had a productive 2023 season (led the team in rushing in 11 of 12 regular-season games), finishing as one of only five FBS running backs to average more than 7.0 yards per carry. With his vision and dynamic cutting skills, Lloyd is a shifty runner with the short-area explosion and lateral agility to leave defenders diving at air (20.87 percent of his carries resulted in a 10-plus-yard gain). He frequently springs free because of the creativity he shows with the ball in his hands, although he relies too much on his east-west options and needs to be more consistent finishing runs. Overall, Lloyd doesn’t have the profile of a high-volume back, but he can spark an NFL offense with his mix of patience, burst and promise as a pass catcher. His tape gives me flashbacks of a thicker version of Duke Johnson when he was coming out of Miami.”

Lance Zierlein’s scouting report: “Lloyd’s flashes on tape could lead a team to envision a more expansive role for him in its offense, but based on his play, he feels more like a good complementary option with big-play potential. Frankly, some of his South Carolina tape from 2022 felt more exciting than his 2023 USC film, despite the higher yardage-per-carry mark in 2023. While he ran with improved patience and set up blockers more diligently in ’23, he ran with a greater sense of urgency the year prior and proved he could create explosive plays without as much help from his offensive line. Lloyd runs with slightly below-average vision but has the juice to play the role of “chunk-play slasher” and dangerous open-field pass catcher. Lloyd is a low-mileage prospect, and the scope of his role will obviously depend on scheme fit.”

They said it: “He’s a 220-pound man. He’s packed in a tighter frame but like his ability to make people miss, he’s got a little juice to him and, again, he’s 220 pounds, he breaks tackles. We think his best football’s ahead of him…He’s got serious speed. He’s very elusive, he’s got great balance, so he’s a little bit different than some of the backs that we have in our depth chart right now.” — general manager Brian Gutekunst

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Packers stole multiple prospects from Bucs in 2024 NFL draft, report says

One report says the Green Bay Packers snatched a couple of prospects right out from under the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL draft

Every year, every NFL general manager says they love all of their draft picks, and claims they got everyone they wanted.

We all know that’s not completely true, though, and it looks like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t come away from the 2024 NFL draft with all of their intended targets.

In fact, the same team is to blame for snatching multiple players out from under the Bucs right before they went on the clock in this year’s draft.

According to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report, the Bucs were poised to spend the No. 89 overall pick in the third round on USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, but the Green Bay Packers took him one pick before their spot.

The Packers did it again when they spent a seventh-round selection on Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt, who the Bucs had been targeting with their final pick in the draft, per Reynolds.

Tampa Bay still landed a talented running back in Oregon’s Bucky Irving instead of Lloyd, but they opted for Washington tight end Devin Culp in the seventh round instead of another quarterback.

It’ll be interesting to see how all of those players pan out at the next level, and whether or not the Bucs look back on those moments with any “what ifs” on their mind.

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2024 Top-10 fantasy football rookies

2024 was the Year of the Quarterback. It was not the Year of the Running Back.

Seven rounds later in Detroit and the NFL draft seeded teams with rookies. Rosters are relatively set, other than a few free agents that have yet to land. How did this draft compare to previous seasons?

Quarterbacks


An NFL-record six quarterbacks were selected over the first twelve picks and then none until the 5.15 pick for another record gap. The fury over picking signal callers suggests this may be a challenger to the famous 1983 class. But 2021 saw five taken in the first 15 selections and three years later, only Trevor Lawrence is still a starter from that entire draft class. This set of quarterbacks are expected to remake the landscape of the NFL within a few years. Or just become 2021 all over again.

Running Backs


Fantasy football loves rookie running backs. That’s about the end of affection for the position that continues to be devalued despite their contributions each season. A new NFL record was set when only Jonathon Brooks was drafted from the position over the first two rounds. And he’s fresh off a torn ACL six months ago. This was considered a weak class and the NFL treated it as if they were just adding special teamers instead of every-down contributors.

Tight Ends


Brock Bowers carries the only realistic fantasy hopes for a rookie tight end to matter. Only two tight ends were selected until the fourth round as a sign that the position carried minimal importance for 2024 outside of Bowers. He is the Sam LaPorta in this draft.

Wide Receivers


There was plenty of interest in wide receivers for the pass-happy NFL. The seven taken in Round 1 tied the record set in  2004. Three wideouts went over the first nine picks and there’s a lot of optimism about the first dozen selected. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Keon Coleman landed in spots where there is an immediate opening to become the No. 1 wideout.

Overall, the draft was weak for rushing but infused a ton of talented youth into the passing game.

Top 10 fantasy rookies

  1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
    Arizona Cardinals 1.04, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.35 est. 40-time
    Oddly, the top fantasy rookie is usually a running back but that changes this year. Harrison brings the complete elite package to Arizona where the next best wideout is Michael Wilson. The rookie has minimal competition for targets and a quarterback in Kyler Murray who is capable of a 4,000-yard season. The top wideout lands in perhaps the most advantageous situation of any receiver.
  2. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
    Carolina Panthers 2.14, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.45 est. 40-time
    Fantasy loves rookie rushers and for good reasons. Brooks was the only back taken in the first two rounds. He was a first-round grade but comes off a torn ACL last November. He’s expected to be healthy for training camp and joins a rebuilding Panthers as their clear primary back.
  3. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
    Buffalo Bills 6-3, 213 pounds 4.61 40-time
    The ex-Seminole was only the eighth wideout drafted but like Harrison, lands in an ideal spot with the Bills remaking their receivers and should turn into their No. 1 wideout soon if not immediately. Bills just lost 241 receptions from last year with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone. Not a burner, but Coleman should become the immediate possession receiver and a friend in the end zone.
  4. WR Brian Thomas, LSU
    Jacksonville Jaguars 1.23, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.33 40-time
    The Jaguars needed to replace previous No. 1 wideout Calvin Ridley and turn to the speedy Fighting Tiger that led the nation with 17 receiving scores last year. He’ll slide into the No. 2 behind Christian Kirk and carry the expectation of being the No. 1 sooner than later. Paired with a healthy Trevor Lawrence should produce fantasy starter stats.
  5. RB Trey Benson, Florida State
    Arizona Cardinals 3.02, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.39 40-time
    While Benson is not the immediate starter, he joins an improving Cardinals team that has relied on James Conner for three seasons with mostly moderate results. Conner is in his final contract year and Benson brings a much-needed speed element to the backfield. Conner is a 233-pound power back who always misses a few games. Benson will contribute from Day 1, fill in when Conner is hurt again, and angle to be the primary by 2025 at the latest.
  6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
    New York Giants 1.06, 6-0, 200 pounds, 4.35 40-time
    There is no argument that Nabers is an elite talent that any team would benefit from using. That said, five years of Daniel Jones has produced ZERO 1,000-yard wideouts. Nabers drew the short straw and suffered the pain of being so good, that he was available to the worst teams. Nabers will improve the Giants, probably, but he’s landed in what has historically been the NFL Siberia for wide receivers.
  7. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
    Washington Commanders, 6-3, 210 pounds, 4.35 40-time
    C.J. Stroud was the rare rookie quarterback that became a fantasy starter. And Caleb Williams was the 1.01 pick with the standard ridiculous skills and proven production. But Daniels lands in Washington, where the offense was upgraded and Daniels was the premier running quarterback in this draft. That looms huge as a rookie who will otherwise have to learn to read NFL defenses and synch up with his receivers. Or just run the ball as he did at LSU, where he gained 1,134 yards and ten touchdowns as a rusher last year.
  8. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
    Las Vegas Raiders 1.13, 6-3, 243 pounds, 4.5 est. 40-time
    Not many analysts saw the Raiders grabbing Bowers, but he fell to the 1.13 despite being one of the best prospects at the position for many years. Bowers was the top receiver in Georgia for all three seasons. He just flattened Michael Mayer‘s career arc, but should offer fantasy startability for a Raiders’ offense that sports a weak backfield and only Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as weapons when they pass.
  9. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
    Kansas City Chiefs 1.28, 5-11, 165 pounds, 4.21 40-time
    The chance that Xavier Worthy will be overvalued in fantasy drafts is right at 100%. Even faster than Tyreek Hill, Worthy will have fantasy value in Year 1, and may surprise matched up with Patrick Mahomes. But he becomes just another option for an offense that also has Travis Kelce, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice (maybe) and Kadarius Toney (for the two games that he lasts).  Worthy is smallish for any heavy workload and will need time to reach his potential. But have to think there are a handful of very deep scores waiting to happen.
  10. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia 
    Los Angeles Chargers 4.13, 6-0, 186 pounds, 4.39 40-time
    Many other rookies could end up this good, but McConkey gets the advantage of landing with the Chargers where they stripped out their starting wideouts and McConkey could easily carve out a starting spot if not end up as the No. 1 receiver this year. But the wet blanket here is new HC Jim Harbaugh importing a run-heavy approach that threatens to significantly blunt the passing offense.

Top 10 dynasty rookies

  1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)
  2. RB Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
  3. QB Jayden Daniels (WAS)
  4. WR Keon Coleman (BUF)
  5. QB Caleb Williams (CHI)
  6. WR Brian Thomas (JAX)
  7. WR Malik Nabers (NYG)
  8. WR Rome Odunze (CHI)
  9. RB Trey Benson (ARI)
  10. WR Xavier Worthy (KC)

NFL draft grade for Packers’ MarShawn Lloyd pick is not clear-cut

MarShawn Lloyd has some skeptics, and now he can prove them wrong.

The NFL draft grades are flying off keyboards for football analysts who have been studying film and comparing players over the past several months. USA TODAY Sports has a draft grade for the Green Bay Packers’ selection of USC running back MarShawn Lloyd at pick No. 88 in Friday’s third round.

“As a complementary back who can keep Josh Jacobs fresh, Lloyd brings big-play potential thanks to his shiftiness and sharp cuts. With the rest of its offense in a good spot, Green Bay can afford to take this flier.”

The grade: B.

However, that last note about this pick being a “flier” doesn’t really seem to match either the grade or, for that matter, Lloyd’s talent. Some analysts felt Lloyd was the best running back on the board at this draft. That’s not a flier; that’s a solid contributor. The draft grade also seems to be based partly on the Packers having some flexibility on their roster. The pick is therefore analyzed more through the lens of the team’s situation, and less through the prism of the player himself and his quality.

MarShawn Lloyd is better than a “flier.” Now he’ll get a chance to prove it.

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Highlights of new Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd

Highlights of new Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected USC running back MarShawn Lloyd with the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The selection gives the Packers a tackle-breaking home-run hitter and a long-term complement to Josh Jacobs.

Last season, Lloyd averaged 7.1 yards per carry, broke 47 tackles and scored nine tackles as USC leading rusher. In 2022, before transferring from South  Carolina, Lloyd led the Gamecocks in rushing yards and scored 11 total touchdowns.

Here are some top highlights of the Packers’ first of two third-round picks:

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RB MarShawn Lloyd brings ‘different’ element to Packers backfield

With the backup running back role up for grabs, USC’s Marshawn Lloyd brings a ‘different’ element to the Packers’ backfield.

The Green Bay Packers used their first of two third-round selection on USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, who immediately received some high praise from Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network, saying that Lloyd was the best running back in this draft class.

“I just think he had a very good start in the SEC,” said GM Brian Gutekunst after Friday’s second-round, “was a really good back in the SEC, and I think it was just his overall ability not only as a runner but the ability to catch the ball, I think he’s got some return ability.

“He’s a 220-pound man. He’s packed in a tighter frame but like his ability kinda to make people miss, he’s got a little juice to him and, again, he’s 220 pounds, he breaks tackles. We think his best football’s ahead of him, and we’re really excited to get him as well.

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Even with the Packers acquiring Josh Jacobs in free agency and re-signing AJ Dillon, it’s not a surprise that they spent a top 100 pick on the position. Behind Jacobs on the depth chart, that backup running back role will be up for grabs this summer, and perhaps playing to Lloyd’s favor in that battle will be the different dynamic he brings to the position.

“He’s got serious speed,” said Gutekunst. “He’s very elusive, he’s got great balance, so he’s a little bit different than some of the backs that we have in our depth chart right now.”

Lloyd spent his first two seasons playing at South Carolina. During the 2022 season, he saw his first extensive action, carrying the ball 110 times while averaging 5.1 yards per rush with nine touchdowns in the SEC.

Following that season, Lloyd transferred to USC, where he put together an incredibly efficient season, averaging a whopping 7.1 yards per carry on 115 attempts with nine more touchdowns. Among all running backs, Lloyd would rank 26th in average yards after contact, contributing to his eye-popping average.

“Definitely having a coach like Lincoln Riley, I feel like the proof is in the pudding,” said Lloyd about transferring. “Just seeing exactly what he does with just the players he has and just the different teammates and coaches, different teams he’s coached.

“It definitely helped me out a lot having a really good running back coach that’s now with the Chargers right now, Kiel McDonald, just having really well-coached teams and being able to learn a different aspect of the game, different offenses and different aspects of different-coached teams. I think it’s been really good and it helped me to where I am right now, being able to translate the new things that I’ll be able to do in the NFL.”

Whether at South Carolina or USC, Lloyd didn’t see much action in the passing game, with just 50 total targets over three seasons. However, as we learned watching AJ Dillon the last few years, a lack of college production in that area doesn’t mean a player isn’t capable in that area.

While Lloyd’s opportunities were limited, he made the most of them, catching 13 of his 18 targets last season with the Trojans, averaging a ridiculous 17.8 yards per catch.

“Very comfortable in the passing game,” said Lloyd. “Definitely I feel like coach Lincoln Riley put me in really good positions to be able to, not having much routes but being very effective with it. I believe I had something like 17-plus yards a reception.

“I’m just being utilized in it as much as possible. I played with a team that had really good skills on the outside, a really good quarterback. So you know, it was just more of when things worked out, and I feel like it definitely worked out in the runs, the long run for sure.”

Of course, being an effective ball carrier is a prerequisite to seeing the field in the NFL at the running back position, but as we’ve heard both Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur mention on several occasions, the Packers’ running backs also have to be effective pass-catchers and in pass protection.

Along with Lloyd, competing for that second running back role will be Dillon and Emanuel Wilson, Regardless of who wins that job, what the Packers need from that specific position in 2024 is more juice and playmaking.

Last year, Dillon would average only 3.4 yards per carry. While he provides a reliable presence, there hasn’t been much home run potential, and that impacts how defenses defend the Packers offense. Without much fear of the running game, defenses will put more defenders in coverage, making it more difficult to move the ball through the air.

Wilson, in his limited sample size, showcased some playmaking potential, but he remains an unknown until the Packers see more from him. For Lloyd, as he competes for playing time, he will have to clean up the fumbles and show that he can hold his own in pass protection, but being able to bring that big play ability from USC to the NFL will go a long way in solidifying his role on this Packers team.

“I’m the best running back in the draft, for sure,” said Lloyd, “and I think Green Bay got the best running back in the draft because they think the exact same. I’m super confident with that. I think Daniel Jeremiah, he’s um, that’s going to come up in the next few years, exactly what he says. I definitely do feel like he’s telling the truth on that part.”

Best NFL draft landing spots for USC’s MarShawn Lloyd

The Buccaneers and Giants would make sense for MarShawn Lloyd.

USC running back MarShawn Lloyd entered 2023 as one of the more interesting running backs in the 2024 NFL draft class. Now he is ready for his big moment. He will learn where he will begin his NFL career and get a chance to stick on a professional roster.

Lloyd has faced setbacks in his career as well as thriving situations. He tore his ACL in his second college practice. From there, he didn’t let that injury define him. He showed he could work back from the physical setbacks and not let the mental part of recuperation hinder his progress.

Lloyd set career highs in rushing attempts (116), rushing yards (820) and yards per carry (7.1) with the USC Trojans, scoring nine rushing touchdowns. The running back also impressed at the NFL combine earlier this year, measuring in at 5-9 and 220 pounds and running a 4.46 40-yard dash.

Finding a fit for Lloyd shouldn’t be too hard. He is a versatile running back who should be a viable No. 3 or No. 2 option in the NFL.

I believe he would fit with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants and L.A. Rams as a rotational committee back at the next level. Lloyd is someone who can come in on day one and contribute to any team he lands on next week.

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