The Green Bay Packers added draft capital right before the trade deadline last season, sending cornerback Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round to the Buffalo Bills for a third round. Now, it was time to collect the results of the long-term view. And with the 88th overall pick, in the third round, the team took what NFL Network’s draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks is the best running back of the class, MarShawn Lloyd, from USC.
The value is fine, as Lloyd is exactly the 88th player on the consensus big board.
Player profile (via Destin Adams)
Pros:
- Chip Blocker
Lloyd has an excellent blocking form when asked to chip the free blitzer before progressing to his actual assignment.
- Good Field Vision
If he can reach the second level, Lloyd becomes a real problem for a defense. He is quick in and out of his cuts, which allows him to extend plays in the open field.
- Pass Game Upside
Although USC didn't use Lloyd often in the passing game, he has the skill to be utilized there. I think NFL teams will see a lot of potential in his ability in the passing game going forward.
Cons:
- Indecisive
Lloyd struggled behind the line of scrimmage, deciding where to attack too often. This prevents plays from developing into the open field, where he is significantly more comfortable.
- Run After Contact
Lloyd struggles to battle through contact in the backfield, which could take him off some team's boards if they are looking for a bruiser type of back. - Struggles to Stay Engaged as a Pass Blocker
While Lloyd has excelled as a chip blocker, he has struggled to stay engaged as a pass blocker. He doesn't have the strength to keep most defensive players in his grasp for long, leading to some blown-up plays.
Player Evaluation:
Lloyd undoubtedly has the skill to carve out an NFL role, but his lack of strength will keep him off multiple teams' draft boards. He likely won't be used as a true blocker in the backfield or on special teams, which means the team drafting him will solely be looking to develop him as a true RB. Some teams won't have that type of patience with him unless he is still available late on day three.
Player/Role Comp:
Floor Comp: Not able to land on a 53-man roster
While Lloyd is certainly talented enough, the lack of options for roles he can logically fill at the next level will make his training camp experience even harder than the typical rookie's. Unless he is taken inside the first three rounds, a roster spot won't be given to him just so he can develop. And his lack of special teams or blocking upside could hurt him more than people realize.
Ceiling Comp: A more consistent D'Andre Swift
When I watch Lloyd change directions and make defenders miss, I see a lot of Philadelphia Eagles RB DeAndrew Swift. I think Lloyd has the upside to be more consistent than Swift, and hopefully he can avoid the injury bug that Swift has seen in the early part of his career.
Positional consideration
Running back is such a volatile and unpredictable position that it makes sense to keep adding. In addition to signing Josh Jacobs in free agency, Green Bay brought back AJ Dillon and Emanuel Wilson, so it was not a huge draft need.
Nonetheless, Jacobs is stylistically more similar to Dillon than exactly an Aaron Jones' replacement. That stresses how important it was to find a faster, quicker runner to exploit outside the tackles opportunities. Additionally, Dillon and Wilson are short-term options at this point, so it's a valid choice to add a player under a cheap four-year contract to pair with Jacobs for the future.
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