Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur - Photo by Yahoo Sports
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – As the Packers prepare to take the field at Lambeau for Family Night on Saturday, head coach Matt LaFleur is praising two recent high draft picks who have had great performances at training camp so far.
While addressing the media on Tuesday, LaFleur spoke about what he’s seen from former first-round pick Eric Stokes this off-season as he looks for a comeback season after missing most of 2023 due to injury, saying, “Stokes has looked like the guy we thought he could be. I think he’s done an outstanding job out there.”
LaFleur also spoke about the competition between Stokes and second-year cornerback Carrington Valentine to play opposite Jaire Alexander, saying, “I think both of those guys have done an outstanding job, and it will be an outstanding competition throughout the course of the preseason and as we get into games.”
During seven training camp practices, Stokes had at least four interceptions in 11-on-11 play. He picked off Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford on July 24 during practice while also intercepting Jordan Love during practice on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Packers fans and coaches got their first look at rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd during practice on Tuesday, and LaFleur says he’s excited to utilize him this season, saying, “He definitely can be a weapon out of the backfield. I love all the measurables. He’s a 220-pound back who runs 4.4 and can run routes out of the backfield. I think he could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”
Lloyd, who told reporters that he’s the “best running back in the draft” after being drafted by Green Bay in May, spoke about how his hip feels after injuring it earlier this summer, saying, “I just tried to make a cut and strained my hip flexor a little bit, but it’s all good now.”
While former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is expected to see the bulk of the carries for Green Bay in 2024, Lloyd could still see plenty of opportunities this year in passing the game and begin to take over Aaron Jones’s former role in LaFleur’s offense.
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