Is AJ Dillon Or MarShawn Lloyd The RB2 For The Packers?

Veteran running back Aaron Jones has been the face of the Green Bay Packers backfield for the past few years. However, that will change in 2024.

The Packers signed Josh Jacobs to a massive deal in free agency. Green Bay released Jones shortly after adding Jacobs, meaning there will be a new lead running back for the team this upcoming year. However, that wasn’t the only move the Packers made to their backfield this offseason.

Green Bay re-signed AJ Dillon to a one-year deal. They also spent a third-round pick in the NFL Draft on MarShawn Lloyd. While Jacobs is the clear-cut No. 1 running back for the team, who will be the RB2 for the Packers? Let’s dive into it.

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AJ Dillon’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Dillon led the team with 178 rushing attempts in 2023. He finished the regular season with 613 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran also had 22 receptions on 28 targets for 223 receiving yards. Dillon finished the year as the RB40, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

AJ Dillon powers in to tie the game!

📺: #GBvsLV on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ZjjXbjW0ad pic.twitter.com/YBDBITpEwy

— NFL (@NFL) October 10, 2023

However, the former Boston College star struggled as the starter. Jones missed six games in 2023 and left several others early because of injury. Yet, Dillon averaged more than 4.1 yards per rushing attempt in only two games. Furthermore, he scored more than 9.6 fantasy points in only 13.3% of the contests.

MarShawn Lloyd’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Lloyd was the fourth running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft behind Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, and Blake Corum. However, the former USC star had several fans in NFL Draft circles, including Daniel Jeremiah. The highly respected draft had Lloyd as his top running back in the class, comparing him to D'Andre Swift.

"The comparison in terms of the body type and play style remind you of D'Andre Swift." - @MoveTheSticks

MarShawn Lloyd (@m_lloyd_2) is the newest @packers RB 🧀 pic.twitter.com/bRo2Gb1Ywe

— NFL (@NFL) May 16, 2024

More importantly, head coach Matt LaFleur has repeatedly praised the rookie running back since the NFL Draft. LaFleur says Lloyd can be a dangerous weapon out of the backfield for the Packers, both on the ground and in the passing game. The former USC star set career highs in rushing yards (820) and receiving yards (232) last season.

Who Should I Draft?

Fantasy players don’t want to put a high priority on drafting either backup Green Bay running back in 2024 redraft leagues. However, Lloyd is someone fantasy players should target during their dynasty rookie drafts and as a late-round upside pick in redraft leagues this summer. Dillon was one of the worst running backs in the NFL last year and offers no upside in the passing game. It won’t take Lloyd long to beat Dillon out for the No. 2 running back role.

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