The talk of the NFL town is 'Who will be the number one pick in the upcoming draft?' All signs point to USC star Caleb Willaims. Even though Williams is garnering all the attention and deservedly so, other USC Trojans are making their impact ahead of the NFL combine.
According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, USC senior running back MarShawn Lloyd may have looked better on tape in 2022 than in 2023, but he has a chance of being a viable option at the pro level.
Lloyd’s flashes on tape could lead a team to envision a more expansive role for him in its offense, but based on his play, he feels more like a good complementary option with big-play potential. Frankly, some of his South Carolina tape from 2022 felt more exciting than his 2023 USC film, despite the higher yardage-per-carry mark in 2023. While he ran with improved patience and set up blockers more diligently in ’23, he ran with a greater sense of urgency the year prior and proved he could create explosive plays without as much help from his offensive line. Lloyd runs with slightly below-average vision but has the juice to play the role of “chunk-play slasher” and dangerous open-field pass catcher. Lloyd is a low-mileage prospect, and the scope of his role will obviously depend on scheme fit.
As we inch closer to the draft, the senior running back from Wilmington, Delaware, is making a name for himself. According to NFL.com's grading system, which ranges from 5.5 to 8.0, Lloyd has a grade of 6.18, the second highest among USC's eight NFL draft prospects.
Lloyd's strength outweighs his weaknesses. On the field, he's a force to be reckoned with. He can do it all on the field, specifically in the run-and-pass game.
The 23-year-old is a strong, compact runner with quick feet and straight-line speed, makes sharp cuts, and can redirect his momentum in a flash.
Overall, NFL.com predicts there's a chance he could go in the second round but will likely be taken in the third or fourth round.
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