Cory’s Corner: Don’t Measure Lloyd’s Skill By His Size

I was not happy when the Packers moved on from Aaron Jones. Obviously, it didn’t sit well when Jones will be donning the purple of the Minnesota Vikings this upcoming season.

And the reason that everyone loved Jones was simple. He packed so much effort into that 5-foot-9, 208-pound frame. He did everything for the Packers. He ran between the tackles, he got outside, he caught passes and he even blocked.

Get ready for Aaron Jones 2.0. MarShawn Lloyd is fully capable of doing all those things and even more as the Packers write a new chapter of smaller Packers running backs. Guys like James Starks, Brandon Jackson and Vince Workman. 

The difference is that Lloyd can be better than all of those guys. He has an electric presence. And what’s great is that the Packers aren’t expecting great things out of him right away. That’s what Josh Jacobs is for. 

The Packers just need the 5-foot-9, 220-pound Lloyd to give dynamic glimpses. Absorb as much as he can and be willing to learn. Most of all, do whatever he can, to get on the field. If that means chip blocking a dominant pass rushers like Josh Allen, Aidan Hutchinson or Nick Bosa, then he has to accept that and do it. 

What really impresses me about Lloyd is his vision. He is excellent at seeing the field and when things get bottled up inside, he can quickly take it outside. And that’s the No. 1 quality you want from any running back. If they can see the field and the defense, everything else becomes a lot easier. 

I know there have been many people wondering about Jacobs’ health this season. Since he is a bellcow back, he takes his fair share of hits. He worked through a quad bruise last year and he’s dealing with a hamstring issue right now. Even if Jacobs has to miss time, I don’t see this Packers offense taking a giant step backwards. 

What is the one thing that has been coveted from Packers fans for years? It’s a healthy dose of speed with a second helping of quickness. At USC, Lloyd made defensive players put their heads on a swivel. They had a hard time seeing where he was, let alone catching up to him. 

Just imagine Lloyd in a play-action system where defensive players are on their heels unsure of where the ball is. The moment they put their weight on their heels, the defense has lost.

Coach Matt LaFleur is going to have a field day with Lloyd. All he has to do is get him the ball in space and watch him carve through and around defenses. 

Lloyd may be small by NFL standards, but he’s special. 

if sean rhyan hunted down the third-round curse and tucker kraft killed it, marshawn lloyd is going to bury it in the dirt pic.twitter.com/3JPQLt3oIB

— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) April 29, 2024