There are several players who will be worth watching during the 2024 NFL preseason for the Green Bay Packers. One of those players will be rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd.
The Packers revamped their backfield this offseason, moving on from veteran Aaron Jones. He will be replaced as the lead back by free agent signing Josh Jacobs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Training camp got underway this week, giving us a first look at how MarShawn Lloyd could factor into the mix. Before too long, the first game action will be played, as Game 1 of the preseason for Green Bay is against the Houston Texans on August 9th.
Lloyd is going to give AJ Dillon some serious competition for the No. 2 role behind Jacobs. It is a role that Dillon has held in recent seasons but has not necessarily excelled in.
Last season, Dillon carried the ball 178 times for 613 yards and two touchdowns, adding 22 receptions for 223 yards. The team let him test the market, but he ended up returning to Green Bay on a modest one-year deal.
Dillon isn’t being paid enough that money will factor into the decision with how backfield reps are handled. Lloyd presents the Packers with a much more explosive option out of the backfield and will be motivated to earn a regular role in the offense.
One area Lloyd could make his presence felt is in the passing game. In the opinion of Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen, there is untapped potential in that realm for the USC speedster.
“On passing downs, Lloyd is kind of a mystery box. He showed unbelievable explosive potential on screens and flashed solid pass-catching traits otherwise, but he was rarely thrown the ball at USC,” Klassen wrote.
Performing on third down is what could set Lloyd apart from his competition for snaps behind Jacobs.
“If he can show the ability to pass protect and make things happen as a receiver he could pass Dillon during the preseason,” Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report wrote.
That will be something to certainly keep an eye on the rest of the summer. There are a lot of talented players on the offense surrounding Jordan Love and Lloyd could be another piece to the puzzle.
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