Packers expect immediate contribution from rookie running back

The Green Bay Packers rebuilt their running back room, and a rookie can have a real immediate impact. Theoretically, veterans Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon are the two top players on the depth chart, but third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd has a shot to take over as the second option behind Jacobs to be a difference-maker for Green Bay.

"I liked his speed. I liked his speed a lot. He had some good runs where you saw his burst. He's got good vision, so I'm really excited about that out of the backfield.", Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said.

"I would like to get (Lloyd) out there as much as possible," Stenavich added. "He's got a skill set that's a little bit different than AJ's as far as his speed. He's not quite the bruiser that (Dillon) is obviously, but he's got a different type of skill set. So it'll be nice to get him the ball in space and just see what he can do because I think he's gonna add a good explosive element to the offense as well."

RB2 usage

Since Matt LaFleur became the Packers head coach and offensive playcaller in 2019, Green Bay has had a high usage of the secondary running back — it's basically a 1A/1B proposition.

Aaron Jones was the primary runner for the most part, always around 60% of the offensive snaps, but the second back has had between 40% and 50% of the snaps:

• 2019 - Jamaal Williams (41%)
• 2020 - Jamaal Williams (46%)
• 2021 - AJ Dillon (43%)
• 2022 - AJ Dillon (49%)

Last season, with Jones' hamstring and knee injuries, Dillon actually outsnapped the starter (51-49).

What they want

According to ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Packers expect to use Lloyd in a real role right away.

^{"The Packers definitely see shades of Aaron Jones in USC back MarShawn Lloyd, their third-round pick, with his versatility, burst, toughness and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.}

^{Despite the presence of Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon in the backfield (accounting for nearly $16 million in combined 2024 payroll, by the way), the Packers should get Lloyd acclimated quickly.}

^{I'm told Lloyd doesn't consider himself a stash-and-learn option but a real player in the backfield, based on his talks with the team. And Green Bay will remain dedicated to the run. The Packers went 5-0 when Jones, now a Viking, rushed 20 or more times."}