The Green Bay Packers got some fun new toys after drafting Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
The 2024 offense had its moments, but the Packers didn’t have the glow-up we expected after the 2023 squad ended the season red hot. Drops plagued the unit all season, and missing Christian Watson means the 2025 group won’t have its best speedster and man-beater.
Green Bay’s new toys should help with some of those issues.
The Packers have another new toy that can elevate the offense, but it isn’t one of the 2025 rookies.
Despite the deep running back class, the Packers didn’t take a back in April. Instead, they’ll get a fully healthy MarShawn Lloyd, last year’s third-round pick.
A plethora of injuries turned Lloyd’s rookie season into a redshirt year. But with running backs coach Ben Sirmans claiming Lloyd is “full go,” he’ll get a chance to elevate the offense as another new toy.
Josh Jacobs was the best part of Green Bay’s offense last season. He became a touchdown monster with 15 on the ground and one through the air (his first!). His 1,329 rushing yards were the second-highest of his career, only trailing his league-leading 2020 season. Jacobs gave Matt LaFleur a powerful and durable back, something the team lacked in past years. As a result, LaFleur included more power-running concepts into his offense.
Still, the run-blocking didn’t do Jacobs many favors. While the Packers got some nice help from Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, Jacobs didn’t have a true running mate.
The Packers remodeled their offensive line, signing Aaron Banks to a megadeal. Banks is a bigger guard who PFF graded better in run blocking than pass protection. They’ll hope Elgton Jenkins moves to center, and getting Jordan Morgan and rookie Anthony Belton in the lineup will also help improve the run blocking.
That’s a good situation for Lloyd to (literally) get behind.
Lloyd brings a lot to the table that the rest of the running back group doesn’t have.
Despite his shorter stature, he’s solid at 220 lbs. Lloyd’s best traits are his ability to break tackles, his change of direction ability, and his catching ability (he averaged 17.8 yards per reception in his final collegiate season).
With Jacobs bringing the power, Lloyd can be the speedy back while still having some power. There’s room in the passing game for the running backs, a situation in which he’s had proven success. Jacobs is best as a north-south back, and Lloyd can excel at getting to the edge and using that speed.
While viewed as a high-to-middle-round player, many thought the Packers got a steal taking Lloyd in the third round. Daniel Jeremiah believed the Packers got the best back in the 2023 draft, and others agreed.
Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of that hype in his rookie season. After turning heads in training camp, an injury kept Lloyd out of most of the preseason. He played in just one regular-season game, carrying the ball only six times as a rookie, racking up 15 yards and a three-yard reception.
An ankle sprain sidelined him until November before he dealt with season-ending appendicitis.
Still, as a third-round pick, Green Bay’s draft investment in him means they’ll give him a solid workload this summer. And the Packers passed on taking a running back in this gifted draft class, showing they still believe Lloyd is a major part of their future.
When asked about Lloyd, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said, “He’s got the speed, he’s got the size, I’m excited to see him.”
Training camp and the preseason will be a great audition for the second-year back. It’s hard to see Jacobs playing much in the preseason, allowing Lloyd to be the RB1 this summer. His injuries shouldn’t create long-term issues, so he’ll be an exciting player if he’s fully recovered.
All eyes will be on the two new wide receivers. Golden’s otherworldly speed and Williams’ unique skillset should elevate the offense early. But don’t forget about Lloyd. He might not be from this recent draft class, but he’s essentially a new weapon LaFleur will hope can make an impact early.