What Can the Packers Expect from RB MarShawn Lloyd In 2025?

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd suffered through a difficult rookie season in 2024. After being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he endured an injury-shortened first pro season. In fact, the USC alum played in just one game before injuries ultimately derailed his first NFL campaign. He carried the ball six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards. So, what can the Packers expect from running back MarShawn Lloyd in 2025?

What Can the Packers Expect from RB MarShawn Lloyd in 2025: His Skill Set as a Runner

The Packers had high expectations for Lloyd when they drafted him. He had an impressive 7.1 yards per carry average during his final year in college. He also proved to be an elusive runner who had a knack for making tacklers miss. According to Pro Football Focus, Lloyd forced 111 missed tackles on just 259 touches in his final two collegiate seasons.

At 5’8” and 220 pounds, Lloyd has a very different body type than starting running back Josh Jacobs. Lloyd isn’t very tall by NFL standards, but he is considered strong and thick by NFL scouts.

Lloyd’s combination of size and speed were big reasons why Packers GM Brian Gutekunst selected Lloyd on day two of the draft. “He’s a 220-pound man. He’s packed in a tighter frame but like his ability to make people miss,” Gutekunst told reporters after selecting Lloyd. “He’s got a little juice to him and, again, he’s 220 pounds, he breaks tackles. We think his best football’s ahead of him.”

One concern scouts had about Lloyd was his inability to hang on to the football. He fumbled eight times during this college career, including three fumbles during his last season at USC. He also needs to improve his pass blocking, which is something the Packers certainly value in their running backs.

His Skill Set as a Receiver

While he didn’t catch a lot of passes in college, the Packers believe Lloyd has the ability to be a dangerous weapon as a receiver because of his speed and elusiveness.

Lloyd caught just 13 passes in 2023, but he averaged an impressive 17.8-yards per catch. Over the course of his college career, Lloyd caught 34 passes.

“He definitely can be a weapon out of the backfield,” head coach Matt LaFleur said after seeing Lloyd at last year’s OTAs. “I love all the measurables. He’s a 220-pound back that runs 4.4 and can run routes out of the backfield. I think he could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”

If Lloyd can become a receiving weapon as well as someone who can carry the football, it will give him more chances to stay on the field in 2025.

What Can the Packers Expect from RB MarShawn Lloyd in 2025: The Competition

Lloyd faces plenty of competition in the Packers running back room this season. If he’s healthy, Josh Jacobs will return as the number one back. He carried the ball 301 times last season, nearly triple that of any other Packers ball carrier. While the Packers wouldn’t mind seeing that number go down a bit, Jacobs has established himself as the focal point of the team’s offense.

Emanuel Wilson served as the second-string back and carried 103 times for 502 yards. That’s a healthy 4.9-yard average per carry. Wilson will provide Lloyd with his primary competition for the change-of-pace back job.

Chris Brooks served as the third running back on the depth chart last season. He averaged 5.1-yards per carry in 36 tries. The coaching staff valued Brooks’ ability to pass protect and pick up blitzes. That often meant he was on the field in obvious passing situations in order to help protect Jordan Love.

If Lloyd lives up to his pre-draft hype, he can carve out a nice role for himself in the Green Bay offense. He can give the team a runner with a contrasting style to Jacobs who excels at running between the tackles.

The Packers are hoping he can add another weapon to their offense and diversify their attack in 2025.