Packers HC Matt LaFleur reportedly talked up RB A.J. Dillon at the start of training camp. According to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, the coach said: "This is THE best I've seen him. Hands down. And I think he'd tell you the same." Dillon returned to Green Bay on a minimal one-year deal and heads toward the season as likely the No. 3 RB on the Packers' depth chart.
The Packers gave RB Josh Jacobs a big four-year, $48 million deal in free agency. But HC Matt LaFleur suggested on Wednesday that the team might stick with a RB-by-committee approach this season.
The Packers "see shades of Aaron Jones" in rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Not only with his rushing ability, but his ability to catch passes out of the backfield," Fowler said. "So, the expectation is they're going to get him acclimated pretty early, try to use him a lot." Lloyd caught just 34 passes over his final three college seasons but averaged 13.3 yards per catch. The 220-pounder clocked a 4.46-second 40 time at the Combine, so he brings plenty of juice. We're not expecting Lloyd to see enough work behind Josh Jacobs to be a reliable fantasy play. But a Jacobs injury could turn the rookie into an exciting weekly starter.
The Packers drafted USC RB MarShawn Lloyd in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. Lloyd tore his left ACL in fall camp of his freshman season at South Carolina in 2020 and carried just 64 times in 2021. He emerged as the backfield leader in 2022, tallying 111 carries for 573 yards and nine TDs. Lloyd then headed west to USC and turned in a career year. Although he shared the backfield with fifth-year senior Austin Jones, Lloyd ripped off 820 yards and nine TDs on a huge 7.1 yards per carry. He took 15.7% of his carries for 15+ yards – the best rate among this year’s top-25 RB prospects. And he ranked third in Pro Football Focus’ Elusive Rating among all 157 FBS RBs with 100+ carries. Lloyd confirmed that dynamism by earning a strong 8.62 Relative Athletic Score at the Combine, highlighted by a 4.46-second 40 time at 5’9 and 220 pounds. Lloyd is relatively unproven as a pass catcher and comes with durability concerns after also missing time with a thigh injury and broken left arm dating back to high school. Unfortunately, he landed on a Packers team with Josh Jacobs under contract through the 2027 season. While Lloyd should eventually work ahead of A.J. Dillon, the rookie is off the redraft radar.
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