Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Roschon Johnson

Friday, July 11, 3:00 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is "in a much better spot" and the team has "a lot of high expectations for him," Green Bay running backs coach Ben Sirmans told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Drafted in the third round in 2024, Lloyd had a lost year as a rookie. He appeared in just one game for Green Bay last season, totaling six carries for 15 yards. Lloyd suffered myriad injuries to his hip, ankle, hamstring, and appendicitis. In the same article, Schneidman notes that Lloyd is "essentially a lock" to make the Packers' 53-man roster, but may not start as the number two running back on the depth chart behind Josh Jacobs. He's competing with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks for the role, both of whom flashed at different points in 2024. Lloyd has a ways to go before he's relevant for fantasy managers, but his progress in camp should be monitored by those looking for a Jacobs handcuff.

Saturday, January 4, 9:13 AM

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson remains the No. 2 option on the depth chart, keeping him off the fantasy radar in most leagues ahead of his Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. There's always a chance the eliminated Bears could give increased snaps to some of their younger players, like Johnson, while reducing the workload for veterans such as running back D'Andre Swift. However, the Bears have stayed pretty quiet about their personnel decisions, and as of Saturday, there's no indication that Johnson's workload will change for the regular-season finale. He has just five carries for eight yards over his last two games, and prior to that, he missed nearly three full contests. As a result, he hasn't caught a pass nor found the end zone since Week 12 against Minnesota. This week, he and Swift will take on a Packers run defense that has allowed the 15th-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, but the third-most catches and receiving yards. Johnson ranks as an RB4 in fantasy football and should continue to be benched in most leagues.