Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: HB MarShawn Lloyd

Selecting a halfback prospect like MarShawn Lloyd should be something the Las Vegas Raiders consider, as they need to start thinking long-term when it comes to their running back room.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California running back Marshawn Lloyd (RB18) during / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There are a couple reasons for the Las Vegas Raiders to draft a running back in this year's NFL Draft.

For one, it would allow the Raiders to have another backup option if Las Vegas does go with Zamir White as its starter, as slight caution should be taken with Alexander Mattison after he suffered a season-ending injury last year.

Another reason would be for the sake of the running back room's future.

A halfback prospect MarShawn Lloyd could satisfy those concerns.

The former USC Trojan finished his collegiate career with his best season by far, tallying 820 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns and 232 receiving yards in 11 games. Lloyd helped lead a USC offense that finished third in the nation in scoring offense at 41.8 points per game.

Lloyd was named a 2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention for his efforts.

Pro Football Focus gave Lloyd an overall grade of 81.7 for his 2023 campaign, as well as a rushing grade of 87.2.

Lloyd played just one season for the Trojans, having transferred from South Carolina, where he spent three years (three active seasons). He made eight starts in nine appearances in the 2022 season, rushing for 573 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He added 176 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Lloyd helped lead the Gamecocks to an 8-5 record, their best since the 2017 season. They did, however, go just 4-4 in SEC play. South Carolina finished the season at No. 23 in the final AP Poll.

The season prior, Lloyd rushed for a mere 228 yards on 64 carries in 12 games. That season followed a 2020 season that Lloyd missed after tearing his ACL in fall camp.

Lloyd recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a 1.56-second 10-yard split, a 36-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump and 25 reps on bench press reps at this year's NFL Combine.

NFL Next Gen Stats gave the prospect a production score of 72 for his Combine outing, the seventh-best among halfbacks. He was also given a total score of 75, which was the ninth-best among halfbacks and an athleticism score of 77, the 10th-best among halfbacks.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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