Just like last season, many Green Bay Packers contributed right away as a rookie. Those rookies will look to there game to another level this season. For the rookies who didn’t play much last season, they hope to make more of a contribution this season.
General manager Brian Gutekunst had 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. It would be an amazing feat if every single one of them made the 53-man roster this season. However, the Packers have had at least one undrafted free agent make the roster over the past 19 years and are looking to make it 20 years in a row.
CBS Sports Lists Green Bay Packers Rookie Running Back Marshawn Lloyd As a Sleeper For the 2024 NFL Season
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CBS Sports writer Chris Trapasso picked a rookie sleeper for each NFC team that was drafted after the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Trapasso picked Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Llloyd as a sleeper for them this upcoming season. The reasoning he gave was as follows:
“You don’t see many backs like Lloyd. He’s an anomaly. Under 5-foot-9 but 220 pounds with under 4.50 speed (he ran 4.46 at the combine). He’s ultra-compact and fast, which naturally provides the ability for the South Carolina turned USC ball carrier to either bounce off tackles with ease or simply run past them in space.
And that forced missed tackle rate is astronomically high, albeit on a relatively low amount of carries. But even if that rate would’ve dipped had Lloyd gotten the ball more in Caleb Williams‘ offense last season, I’m enamored by how little mileage is on his tires. Only 291 collegiate carries. Yes, the Packers made a decision to swap out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs this offseason, but you better believe Lloyd will get touches in Year 1. And he’ll make the most of them.”
Lloyd was a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (88th overall selection) out of USC. One of the most impressive stats about him is that:
“40.8% forced missed tackle rate on 115 carries in 2023 at USC.”
In 11 games played last season with the USC Trojans, he rushed for 820 yards on 116 carries and nine touchdowns, along with averaging 7.1 yards per rush. Marshawn Lloyd also caught 13 passes for 232 yards receiving and zero touchdowns. He averaged 17.8 yards per reception.
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As of now, Josh Jacobs is the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers. He was with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. Lloyd and veteran A.J. Dillon will compete for the backup job in training camp. Marshawn Lloyd has more upside at this point than A.J. Dillon does.
