MarShawn Lloyd is a running back who played three seasons at South Carolina before transferring to Southern California. Lloyd is expected to be a day-two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently No. 16 overall (RB3) on our 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings & SuperFlex Big Board. He will likely be a second or third-round pick in fantasy football dynasty rookie drafts.
Check out our Fantasy Stock Watch for our 2024 Rookie Draft Profiles and Scouting Reports.
MARSHAWN LLOYD DRAFT PROFILE AND NFL COMBINE RESULTS
- As a High School Prospect: Composite 4-Star, 43 nationally (RB 5)
- Skillset & Traits: MarShawn Lloyd boasts game speed that mirrors his impressive 4.46 combine speed, showcasing his ability to break off significant gains with 18 carries of 15+ yards. His explosive burst and exceptional quickness make him a dynamic threat on the field. Lloyd’s 220-pound frame positions him as a prototypical every-down back, promoting excellent balance and a low center of gravity that enhances his agility and power. With the ball in his hands, Lloyd displays electrifying playmaking ability, often turning routine plays into exciting gains. He possesses reliable hands in the passing game, although his utilization in this aspect has been limited. Despite his impressive attributes, an ACL injury before his freshman year hindered his production at South Carolina, and there’s room for improvement in his physicality and vision, particularly in zone-blocking schemes.
- Production: Over Lloyd’s two-year playing career at South Carolina and one-year at Southern California, he totaled 1,621 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, adding 34 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns.
- NFL Combine Results: Height: 5’9″ Weight: 220 lbs Arm: 30 3/8″ Hand: 8 3/4″
MARSHAWN LLOYD SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS:
- Lloyd’s game speed matches his 4.46 combine speed (18 carries of 15+ yds)
- Great burst with quickness to match
- Electric with the football in his hands
- Built like an every-down back at 220 lbs
- Stature promotes good balance and low-center of gravity
- Underutilized but reliable hands in the passing game
- Plus-pass blocker, will keep him on the field on third down
- Better gap scheme runner
- Not a lot of wear and tear, with only 298 career carries
WEAKNESSES:
- ACL injury before his freshman year impacted his production at South Carolina
- Could be a more physical runner at his size
- Can improve vision in zone-blocking schemes
MARSHAWN LLOYD PRODUCTION PROFILE
Lloyd played three seasons at South Carolina before Caleb Williams recruited him out west to USC, where he had a career year with the Trojans.
At USC, Lloyd had career-highs in carries (116), rushing yards (820), yards per carry (7.1), and rushing touchdowns (9). He displayed his complete package alongside the future No. 1 overall pick, giving the Trojans a formidable running game behind a shaky offensive line.
Not only did Lloyd show out on the stat sheet, but he ranked well analytically with an 87.2 PFF rushing grade, 93.0 gap grade, 177.0 elusive rating, and nearly 4 yards after contact/attempt. He only dropped one ball on 18 targets and still managed 232 receiving yards on only 13 receptions.
Prior to transferring, Lloyd was a highly-touted commit. After arriving at South Carolina, he tore his ACL, which forced him to miss his true freshman year and start off slow as a redshirt freshman, totaling only 3.6 yards per attempt on 64 carries (49.4 PFF grade). He improved as a redshirt sophomore, bumping his PFF grade to 77.9 and averaging 5.1 yards per attempt on 110 carries.
Caleb Williams recruited the running back to USC after playing their high school ball at rival schools in the DC area.
MARSHAWN LLOYD NFL COMBINE & RELATIVE ATHLETIC SCORE (RAS)
BOTTOM LINE
MarShawn Lloyd is one of the greatest post-NFL Combine risers after showing out during the speed and field drills. After the NFL Combine, Lloyd moved up from RB5 to RB3 overall because his RAS matched his tape as a potential game-breaker at the next level.
Although his college production was not elite by any means, he did suffer an ACL injury as a true freshman that hampered his first few collegiate years. However, he regained his confidence and improved every year after the injury, bumping his yards per attempt from 3.6 to 5.1 to 7.1.
Put Lloyd in a good gap scheme and let him cook, which is evident from his 93.0 gap grade in 2023.
Lloyd’s blend of size, speed, and athleticism, paired with his fully treaded tires, boosts his NFL and dynasty outlook as a future three-down back. If given more opportunities in the passing game, he could be a true workhorse and a steal in the second or third round of rookie drafts.
