Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Isaac Guerendo

Thursday, May 22, 10:50 PM

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman writes that Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix) is currently healthy and without restrictions during offseason work as he heads into his sophomore season in the NFL. Lloyd, a third-round pick last year, was supposed to be Josh Jacobs' backup in 2024 while providing an intriguing speed and pass-catching element to the backfield, but injuries limited him to just one game. A healthy Lloyd should easily be Jacobs' backup despite Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks exceeding expectations a year ago. In addition to appendicitis, Lloyd missed time last year with ankle and hamstring injuries. He is extremely talented and has the tools to eventually be a three-down back in the NFL, but after a lost rookie season, he'll pretty much only be a handcuff for Jacobs in ingle-year fantasy leagues in 2025.

Friday, June 6, 12:54 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (ankle, knee) has been taking part in voluntary organized team activities this spring after injuring his MCL and spraining his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year. Guerendo, a fourth-round pick (129th overall) in 2024, should be a full-go for the start of mandatory minicamp on June 10. All-Pro Christian McCaffrey (knee) is also back and ready to roll after missing the majority of the 2024 campaign, so Guerendo will enter the 2025 season as the backup, but Jordan Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and Elijah Mitchell left in free agency. The 24-year-old Guerendo had 5.0 yards per carry on his 84 rushing attempts last year for 420 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (three starts), adding 15 catches for 152 yards through the air. Consider him a high-upside handcuff behind the injury-prone CMC.