MarShawn Lloyd was taken in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. The youngest offense in the league got younger this offseason. While most of the offense is the same, the running back room got a reshuffle. Josh Jacobs was signed and is the clear RB1. However, the early buzz is Llyod is already gunning for the RB2 spot after AJ Dillon struggled last year. Will the early buzz about the USC rookie translate to a productive season?
MarShawn Lloyd 2023 Stats And Fantasy Production
MarShawn Lloyd is a true dual-threat running back, which he showcased during his junior season with the Trojans. He rushed 116 times for 820 yards and nine touchdowns, putting him at a ridiculous 7.1 yards per carry. Lloyd also caught 13 passes for 232 yards. The USC offense had a lot of mouths to feed, so Lloyd didn’t see the volume. However, when he got the ball, he looked electric.
If there is a knock on Lloyd it is his fumbling issues. Ball security has been an issue for him, and that has caused the coaches to bench him for short periods of time. However, his upside was too great to keep him on the bench for too long. The Packers certainly saw something and used a top 100 pick on the running back.
MarShawn Llyod 2024 Fantasy Outlook
The Green Bay Packers like MarShawn Lloyd a lot. Early in the offseason, coaches have been raving about what they have seen out of the rookie. OC Adam Stenavich had this to say about how much playing time he might get.
“I would like to get him out there as much as possible. … 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.”
Here’s the other thing we know that boosts Lloyd’s fantasy value. Matt LaFleur loves to platoon running backs. In all five seasons he has been the head coach of Green Bay, at least two running backs have averaged more than ten touches a game. Even when he was the OC of the Titans, Dion Lewis got 9.7 carries and 4.2 targets backing up Derrick Henry. While Jacobs will be the starter, this doesn’t mean Lloyd has no fantasy value. He will likely see double-digit touches if he beats out Dillon for the RB2 job.
Final Thoughts
MarShawn Lloyd is a great option for the later rounds. The only thing to watch is what happens in training camp. If AJ Dillon seems to have the inside track to the RB2 spot, it significantly hurts Lloyd’s value. However, all indications are the team will give Lloyd touches in the offense. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield increases his value, especially in PPR leagues.
The other caution would be the number of weapons on the Green Bay Packers offense. There’s a lot of great young weapons on the team. Jordan Love has a ton of weapons at his disposal, and the team seems to be riding the hot hand and playing the matchup. This makes it difficult to predict who will be the focal point of each game. However, that shouldn’t scare you from taking Lloyd in the later rounds. He is a great option to take a flyer on.
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