What are the expectations of RB2 for the Packers this season?
I know about this time last year, I was pretty giddy because I was happy about the Packers drafting MarShawn Lloyd in the third round. The scatback with jitterbug moves from USC was going to be the perfect complement to the powerful Josh Jacobs.
Then he suffered a hamstring pull in August and an ankle sprain in September. He missed seven games in 2024 and was only able to play in one game. He tallied 6 attempts for 15 yards and one catch for 3 yards.
But what are the expectations for Lloyd in 2025?
Can he be relied on to be the perfect change-of-pace back for Jacobs?
“Adversity is nothing new to me,” said Lloyd this past January. “Although I was not able to play this year, I appreciate the challenge. I will use this time to get my health back and get ready for next season. Watch me work.”
Jacobs was sixth in the NFL in rushing yards last year with 1,329 and now Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has another pitch to his offensive arsenal. He can use Lloyd in play-action and on sweeps and screens.
Lloyd gives the Packers another wrinkle on an offense that already averaged 27 points a game. They scored 460 points, which is the most points since Green Bay scored 509 in 2020.
I think Lloyd can be a nice surprise. The X-factor will be if the 5-foot-9, 220-pound back can pass protect. If he can block, he will continue to see more and more time on the field.
With Christian Watson out, defenses will be eyeing Josh Jacobs in the early portion of the season. They will be daring the Packers to find someone else to run the football besides Jacobs.
Enter Lloyd. The Packers can use Jacobs as a decoy and let Lloyd run wild on the weak side.
And then it gets even better. The moment defenses decide to put the clamps down on the Packers’ rushing attack is when Jordan Love can put the ball in the bucket and stretch the field.
The expectations are low for Lloyd this year. Coming off multiple injuries and seeing limited playing time, many think that he will not be a factor. And that’s exactly why I think Lloyd will turn heads. He hasn’t done much as a pro, but he wants to prove that he belongs in this league.