The Green Bay Packers made several splashes in free agency this offseason. Not only did they sign the top safety on the market in Xavier McKinney, but they also nabbed the top running back in Josh Jacobs. The latter signing marked the end of Aaron Jones‘ tenure in Green Bay, a development that saddened many fans.
2020 second round pick AJ Dillon was re-signed to backup Jacobs, but the Packers also, true to their history, looked to the NFL Draft for more depth at the position. In the past, Green Bay has frequently drafted at least one player who plays the same position as players they signed in free agency.
A recent example of this was in 2019. That year, the Packers signed edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, but also drafted Rashan Gary. They also signed safety Adrian Amos and drafted Darnell Savage.
This year, Green Bay signed McKinney and drafted three more safeties: Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo. Similarly, after signing Jacobs, they drafted USC running back Marshawn Lloyd.
How Does Marshawn Lloyd Fit the Green Bay Packers?
As mentioned, the Packers already have two running backs with years of experience in the NFL in Jacobs and Dillon. Additionally, Emanuel Wilson, last preseason’s rushing leader, is also on the roster.
However, Dillon is on a one-year deal and is coming off of a highly unproductive season in Green Bay. The drafting of Lloyd, in a way, somewhat reflects the Packers’ strategy when they drafted Dillon himself.
Going into the 2020 season, Green Bay had Jones and Jamaal Williams as their two top running backs. Despite both backs being productive in the offense, the Packers knew they could/would only re-sign one of them, and that Jones was going to be that guy.
As a result, Green Bay drafted Dillon in the second round and allowed him to learn from Jones and Williams for a year before taking the primary backup role.
One can assume that Lloyd will have a similar experience in his rookie season, though his ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield could give him more snaps on passing plays than Dillon got as a rookie.
Marshawn Lloyd Reveals His First Thoughts When He Learned the Green Bay Packers Were Drafting Him
The Packers shocked many national analysts and some of their own fans by finishing 2023 with a better record than they had in 2022 and winning a playoff game. Of course, this was due to the fact that last season was their first year with Jordan Love under center after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
Additionally, the Packers offense was made up of incredibly young players. All of their wide receivers and tight ends were either rookies or second-year players. The fact that their offense morphed in-season into one of the most dynamic in the NFL was truly a sight to behold.
And they are only going to get better, something that Lloyd knows and is excited to be a part of. According to Kyle Malzhan of WFRV (CBS) in Green Bay, Lloyd had one word in mind when he found out the Packers had drafted him:
“When I got the call, the first thing I thought of was; Super Bowl. Instantly. This is insane… Just seeing exactly what they did last year.. this team is going up for sure.”
The Packers nearly pulled off an upset over the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Unfortunately, their defense could not get a stop when it mattered the most. Green Bay hopes that new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and an entirely new safety room will help fix this.
If the young offense keeps on ascending and the defense can at least play respectable football, Lloyd may be right.
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