Former Southern California running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) was drafted in the third round by the ... [+]
MarShawn Lloyd may be small in stature, standing just 5-foot, 8 ½ inches.
But the Green Bay Packers’ newest running back is big on opinions.
“I’m the best running back in the draft, for sure,” Lloyd said after the Packers selected him in the third round Friday. “And I think Green Bay got the best running back in the draft because they think the exact same. I’m super confident with that.”
We shall see.
Lloyd was the fourth running back taken in this draft behind Jonathon Brooks of Texas (pick No. 46), Florida State’s Trey Benson (66) and Michigan’s Blake Corum.
Whether Lloyd eventually backs up his strong words will be interesting.
“He’s a 220-pound man,” Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “He’s packed in a tighter frame, but like his ability kind of to make people miss. 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, and we’re really excited to get him as well.”
Lloyd spent three years at South Carolina, then played the 2023 campaign at USC. Last year Lloyd had his best college season, finishing with 820 rushing yards, nine touchdowns and a 7.1 yards per yards per carry average.
Lloyd is more of a slasher than a bellcow, but should provide a nice complement to free agent addition Josh Jacobs.
“I’ve watched a lot of tape of Josh Jacobs,” Lloyd said. “A lot of people compared me to him with a similar build. Being shorter but having a similar build to Josh Jacobs, a lot of my coaches compared us. It’s pretty cool having that in that case, for sure.”
Whether that eventually helps Lloyd live up to his lofty predictions remains to be seen.
