New RB MarShawn Lloyd needs to fill the 'Aaron Jones role' for the Packers
The Green Bay Packers didn't select USC running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft because they thought he could replace Aaron Jones from Day 1.
First of all, nobody could replace Jones right away. He rushed for 5,940 yards and 45 touchdowns since the Packers took him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and that's not to mention his impact as a receiver — 2,076 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns.
Jones was a true dual-threat back (not to mention a leader) for the Packers, which made his cut and eventual signing with the Minnesota Vikings so tough for Packers fans to stomach.
No, Lloyd won't be able to replace Jones next season, especially as a rookie. That said, the now-former USC running back does have Jones-like characteristics.
Jones is 5-foot-9, 208 pounds. Lloyd checks in at 5-foot-9, 210 pounds.
Like Jones, Lloyd is also an absolute terror when he gets some room to work with:
The Packers signed Josh Jacobs to be the lead back in 2024 and beyond and don't forget that A.J. Dillon will be back on a one-year contract.
Jacobs can also be extremely explosive and he's an A-plus pass catcher, but both he and Dillon are more of your "north and south" runners who can use their size and strength to pick up yards and move piles when the Packers need tough runs.
That's not to say Lloyd can't be that guy either, but the Packers don't really need him to be a bulldozer with Jacobs and Dillon on the roster.
What they do need Lloyd to do, though, is to play the "Aaron Jones" role in this offense, basically being the change-of-pace "scatback" that Jones would have been alongside Jacobs if the Packers decided to keep him around.
The Packers don't need Lloyd to rush for 1,000 yards, but being the "lightning" to the "thunder clouds" known as Jacobs and Dillon could go a long way towards keeping the Packers firmly in contention for a Super Bowl in 2024.
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