Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd was the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd had a productive lone season at USC, totaling 116 rushing attempts for 820 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 175 rushing attempts for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns in his two years at South Carolina.
Many fantasy football players loved Lloyd heading into the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the hype train had a wet blanket thrown on it after the Packers selected the talented running back. Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs to a significant contract in free agency, limiting the rookie’s upside in 2024.
Lloyd should still have a fantasy impactful role as a rookie. However, he has to get on the field to make an impact.
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MarShawn Lloyd Injury Update For Fantasy Football
The former USC star is dealing with a minor hip injury, limiting his workload early in training camp. Head coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t believe the injury is significant. Therefore, fantasy players should expect Lloyd on the practice field sooner rather than later.
Players already dealing with an injury as training camp begins:
Joe Mixon (unknown)
Lamar Jackson (illness)
Xavier Worthy (illness)
Chris Olave (back)
Nico Collins (shoulder)
Jayden Reed (toe)
Tucker Kraft (pec)
MarShawn Lloyd (hip)
Javon Baker (thumb)
Ricky Pearsall…— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) July 23, 2024
MarShawn Lloyd Fantasy Football Outlook
While Jacobs will be the starting running back this season, the Packers want the rookie to be part of the offense. LaFleur views Lloyd as a weapon out of the backfield. The rookie running back should have no trouble beating out AJ Dillon for the No. 2 role on the depth chart.
#Packers HC Matt LaFleur on MarShawn Lloyd:
“He flashed a lot of talent… He is a weapon out of the backfield and we know what he can be with the ball in his hands and what he can do and what he’s capable of”
(the referenced injury is very minor, according to MLF) pic.twitter.com/baht5lFvox
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) July 23, 2024
Jacobs has been a solid pass-catching running back in his career. However, the strength of his game is on the ground. Furthermore, the veteran running back missed the final four games last season because of an injury. While Jacobs should be the lead guy, expect Lloyd to have a role in the backfield.
Fantasy players should target the rookie in the double-digit rounds of their fantasy draft, especially in PPR-scoring leagues. Lloyd could push Jacobs for a near 50-50 backfield split. At the least, the former USC star has league-winning upside as a handcuff if Jacobs misses significant time with an injury.
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