For 2024 third round draft pick MarShawn Lloyd, it wasn’t the rookie season that he imagined.
The Packers had big plans for Lloyd after they drafted him out of the University of Southern California.
The 24 year old was expected to be the third running back behind Josh Jacobs and A.J Dillon in the new, re-amped backfield.
That role grew bigger after Dillon was put on injured reserve with a neck injury.
But Lloyd caught an injury bug that would last him through out his rookie season.
Hip and hamstring injuries during the summer delayed Lloyds training camp.
Then just three carries into his debut against the Colts, Lloyd injured his ankle.
Just as he was getting healthy, Lloyd had appendicitis which required emergency surgery.
Despite the injury riddled season, Lloyd looks to rebound from his rookie season, keeping a positive mindset.
Back in January, Lloyd said, “Everything happens for a reason”.
Lloyd went on to say “But at the end of the day you just gotta go with it.”
Llloyd’s role in 2025
Lloyd will look to pick up where he left off in 2024.
As of the time of this article, the Packers haven’t made any additions to the Running Back room
With Dillon signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, Lloyd has a good chance to compete for the second or third running back spot.
But in order for Lloyd to take the back-up role to Jacobs, he’ll have to beat out fellow running back Emanuel Wilson.
Wilson, who was an un-drafted free agent, had a breakout year in 2024.
Gaining 502 yards and 4 touchdowns, Wilson heads into 2025 as the lead candidate as the primary back up to Jacobs.
While it is a uphill climb for Lloyd to take that spot, he can also be the Packers third down back.
But he’ll have to beat out incumbent Chris Brooks, who excelled as the Packers blocking back in 2024.
A Different Element
Lloyd brings a different element to the Packers running back room.
Both Jacobs and Wilson are more power backs.
What does that mean?
That means that they flat out run over people.
Lloyd though is a shifty, quick running back, willing to use his speed as his best asset.
Thats speed is useful not only in the running game but in the passing game as well.
Some of that showed during training camp last season.
During training camp we saw Lloyd use his speed to make splashes in the passing game.
If Lloyd can continue that, he will bring a completely different element in Matt LeFleur’s offense.
Conclusion
Injuries happen.
And unfortunately for Marshawn Lloyd, it happened constantly last season.
To a point it totally derailed his rookie season.
But Lloyd kept a positive mindset.
The Packers know what that have in MarShawn Lloyd, hence the reason they decided to pick him in the third round.
If Lloyd can pick up where he left off last season and stay healthy, he’ll have a chance to redeem himself after a disastrous rookie season.
