MarShawn Lloyd Fantasy Football Outlook 2026: Is He Green Bay’s New RB1?
- Football Nation
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 31
Updated August 31, 2026. Green Bay’s backfield can change quickly while Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
MarShawn Lloyd is one of the most interesting late summer fantasy players because opportunity has finally arrived at the same moment his health has stabilized. He has the burst, receiving ability, and draft pedigree to become Green Bay’s most valuable available back. He also has only six regular season NFL carries, which makes his range of outcomes unusually wide.
MarShawn Lloyd live update
The Packers spent the offseason building Lloyd through a controlled health plan. Team reporting described him as explosive, decisive, and free of setbacks during the offseason program and training camp. That is a meaningful change after hip, hamstring, ankle, groin, and abdominal issues disrupted his first two professional seasons.
Josh Jacobs’ placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List created an immediate opening. Green Bay also traded for Kaleb Johnson, so Lloyd is not walking into an uncontested workhorse role. The early question is whether the Packers use Lloyd as the lead option or protect him with a committee after such a limited NFL workload.
MarShawn Lloyd NFL stats
Season | Games | Carries | Rush yards | Yards per carry | Receptions | Rec yards | Total TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 2.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
There is no established professional production profile yet. Lloyd’s rookie appearance against Indianapolis produced 15 rushing yards on six attempts and one reception for three yards. Injuries then removed him from the offense before he could earn a regular role. He did not appear in a 2025 game, so nearly every 2026 projection depends on health and opportunity rather than an NFL sample.
MarShawn Lloyd college history
Season | School | Carries | Rush yards | Rush TD | Receptions | Rec yards | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | South Carolina | 64 | 228 | 1 | 3 | 44 | 0 |
2022 | South Carolina | 111 | 573 | 9 | 18 | 176 | 2 |
2023 | USC | 116 | 820 | 9 | 13 | 232 | 0 |
Career | Two schools | 291 | 1,621 | 19 | 34 | 452 | 2 |
Lloyd’s college efficiency explains why Green Bay remained patient. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry in his lone USC season and added 232 receiving yards. Across his three productive college years, he generated 2,073 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns on only 325 offensive touches. His acceleration and receiving profile made him a third round Packers selection in 2024.
What Lloyd does well
He reaches top speed quickly and can turn a clean lane into an explosive gain.
His college receiving production gives Green Bay flexibility on screens, checkdowns, and designed routes.
He does not need 20 carries to create fantasy value if the Packers give him space and passing work.
His compact frame and contact balance offer more inside rushing ability than a pure change of pace label suggests.
The risks fantasy managers cannot ignore
Lloyd has not demonstrated that his body can withstand a full professional workload. A healthy summer is encouraging, but it does not erase two lost seasons. Green Bay may cap his touches, pair him with Johnson, or use another back on short yardage downs. Pass protection will also influence how often he can stay on the field with Jordan Love.
The Kaleb Johnson trade matters because it gives the Packers a runner with a different profile. Johnson can handle traditional early down work and could become the preferred option near the goal line. Lloyd’s best fantasy path may be leading the backfield in total value through explosive plays and receptions rather than dominating every carry.
How fantasy managers should draft Lloyd
Lloyd is an upside selection, not a safe weekly starter. He belongs on rosters in every competitive league while Jacobs is unavailable because the Packers need someone to lead the backfield. His draft price should remain below established starters because the workload and durability are unproven.
Managers who draft Lloyd should consider adding Johnson as insurance when bench space permits. The combination protects more of Green Bay’s rushing opportunity, although it does not guarantee every touch. In shallower leagues, Lloyd is the first player to target because receiving work gives him the clearer path to fantasy points even in a committee.
Football Nation verdict
Lloyd is Green Bay’s most exciting available fantasy back, but calling him a guaranteed RB1 would move too far beyond the evidence. He is a high ceiling flex candidate with the potential to become an RB2 if the workload grows. Johnson is the primary threat to his rushing and goal line volume. The Packers’ first practices and game plan without Jacobs will tell us whether Lloyd has truly moved from sleeper to starter.
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