The Green Bay Packers' pre-draft visits count for more than many realize, and they have given us a potential glimpse into their plans at running back, especially for MarShawn Lloyd.
Green Bay created a need at the position by letting Emanuel Wilson, who backed up Josh Jacobs last season, walk in free agency. Lloyd is presumably the clear RB2 when healthy, but that's the major question. Lloyd has missed all but one game in his two-year NFL career due to various injuries, and it sure looks like the Packers are preparing to add competition.
Brian Gutekunst's pre-draft work suggests running back is very much on his draft to-do list. The Packers have already reportedly scheduled two of their pre-draft visits with running backs, and that potentially matters. A lot.
Why Packers' pre-draft visits with running backs potentially spell bad news for MarShawn Lloyd
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of those running backs is Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. More on him in a moment.
First, let's look at why the pre-draft visits matter for the Packers under Gutekunst.
Take last year as a perfect example. Of the Packers' 30 pre-draft visitors, six ended up in Green Bay. Gutekunst drafted Matthew Golden, Anthony Belton, Savion Williams, John Williams, and Micah Robinson before signing Taylor Elgersma to the 90-man roster.
It was a similar story in 2024. Edgerrin Cooper, Ty'Ron Hopper, Kitan Oladapo, and Donovan Jennings were among the Packers' pre-draft visits. Every year, a not insignificant percentage of the 30 visitors end up on the roster.
It's no surprise, then, that this year's list of pre-draft visits includes three defensive linemen and two cornerbacks. The Packers have major needs at both spots. Notably, two running backs also make the list: Washington and Kaelon Black. And that's just of the reported visits so far.
Washington is particularly interesting, as he would offer a similar skill set to Lloyd.
The Packers drafted Lloyd to become the lightning to Josh Jacobs' thunder. He has blazing speed and big-play potential, but we simply haven't seen it due to injuries. Washington could make a similar impact in Matt LaFleur's offense.
Speed? Washington's 4.33-second 40-yard dash led all running backs at February's NFL Scouting Combine. Explosive plays? According to Pro Football Focus, Washington had 17 carries of 15-plus yards last season, ranking 11th among 288 running backs. He tallied 515 yards on rushes of 15-plus yards, also ranking 11th.
It would require a premium pick to land Washington, though. The Arkansas product currently sits 71st on the consensus board, making him a potential second- or third-round pick.
Gutekunst has never had a problem prioritizing the position. He drafted Lloyd in the third round two years ago. The Packers also spent a second-round choice on AJ Dillon and spent big to sign Jacobs on the first day of free agency in 2024.
We don't yet know the full list of 30 pre-draft visitors the Packers will meet with, but the list already includes two running backs.
It doesn't guarantee anything, as the board must fall the right way on draft day, but Gutekunst's track record suggests we should believe the clues. Running back is clearly on his to-do list, and the interest in Washington is particularly notable.
Lloyd has undeniable potential but can't stay healthy. At this point, the Packers can't count on him to play a significant share of the snaps. That could lead to them drafting his replacement later this month.
Watch this space.