Tomorrow is it. The bikes will be lining up outside Lambeau Field to be ridden by players on the 2024 Training Camp roster to the first camp practice. As soon as that first snap is taken on Ray Nitschke field, many eyes will be on those players that may not have been on the roster last year. Those that are making their first impression in Green & Gold. Of course, a few free agents are making their debuts, but most of them still already have their roles carved out on this year's team. Much of the attention goes to the first-year guys, the rookies, or those who didn't quite get their shot last year. As of the time I'm writing this article, the Packers have 22 rookies on the roster. Those guys will all be looking to make a great first impression and stand out in their first training camp to try to solidify their spot on this Packers' team. 

Each season we see those rookies who end up being camp stand-outs. When it comes to veteran players, everyone expects them to pick up where they left off. They could make a few plays here and there and get a little note like "Hey, looks like that guy has improved a bit." But it's the new players, the rookies that are like that shiny new object that get the excitement. It doesn't matter whether that rookie was drafted high, low, or if they were undrafted, if they show up to camp and show out, they're going to get noticed. 

In 2024, I have two candidates who I think will be the biggest training camp standout. 

Michael Pratt - QB

Last training camp, all the eyes in the building were on Jordan Love. He may not have been a rookie, but he was still that shiny new object. Love was essentially handed the reins to the Packers franchise and everyone wanted to see if GM Brian Gutekunst had chosen well. Behind Jordan Love, was a rookie QB, Sean Clifford.  Clifford looked pretty good in camp practices and preseason earning himself the backup QB job. This was a bit of a shock considering many expected the Packers to have a veteran back-up Jordan Love, but Clifford stood out just enough to earn himself that role. 

Now, enter a new rookie Quarterback, Michael Pratt. Clifford may have been drafted higher in his respective draft in 2023 going in the 5th round compared to Pratt going in the 7th in 2024, but Pratt is thought to possibly be the more gifted player. He seems to have a little more command of the offense to make adjustments and though he doesn't possess what you would call elite NFL arm talent, he does put a lot of accuracy into his throws into tight coverage. Pair Pratt with the Packers' Quarterback whisperer Tom Clements and it will be interesting to see what could come out. Many say Pratt may have been buried in the draft due to the great talent he had above him, I guess we will see in training camp. 

In OTA's Pratt stood out a bit where he seemed to flawlessly take apart the defense in two-minute drills occasionally. I'm looking forward to seeing what Michael Pratt shows us in training camp practices as well as preseason games. If he shows out, he could definitely be a candidate for this year's camp stand-out earning his way onto the 53-man roster, and possibly the QB2 role. 

MarShawn Lloyd - RB

I feel like every year there's a running back in training camp that I become glued to. I've gone from John Crockett to Tyler Goodson, to Emanuel Wilson, and many more before those three. This year, it's MarShawn Lloyd. That's probably not a surprise considering we drafted him in the 3rd round, so guilty as charged on that account, but I also feel like he's going to help reshape the backfield in Green Bay. So, that's why I'm excited to watch him in training camp and preseason in hopes that he stands out. 

Long have I dreamed of the Packers playing "bully ball" on offense and imposing their will on the defense. The addition of Josh Jacobs certainly takes us in that direction, but so does drafting MarShawn Lloyd. Lloyd is a shorter back, but weighing in around 220 pounds makes him a bowling ball heading towards a bunch of pins breaking tackles, and slipping past defenders. Lloyd is also expected to be a weapon in the passing game as he looks to be a good route runner out of the backfield and it looks like Brian Gutekunst has gifted Matt LaFleur with another dual-threat back. 

Camp should be interesting for Marshawn Lloyd. Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon will likely get the bulk of the carries with the starting offense in practice, but preseason games could be a different story with the team wanting to keep veteran players on the sidelines as much as possible. Emanuel Wilson might factor into carries with the starting offense come game time given his experience in the scheme, but MarShawn Lloyd could factor in as well. As much as I don't want to think it, AJ Dillon could be on the roster bubble after training camp if other running backs step up. But a lot of that will depend on the development of MarShawn Lloyd. If Lloyd looks good enough to be RB2 come week 1, and another running back stands out, Dillon could be let go. Though I think it may be unlikely that they'll completely revamp the RB room within a season, they need at least one good veteran in the scheme to help everyone else along. 

Some time with the starting offense and plenty of big plays in practice could make MarShawn Lloyd a camp standout very quickly.

Between those two players, my thoughts are that Michael Pratt could be the biggest camp standout. The Packers have a lot of deep talent at the wide receiver position which will help Pratt look good, and I think the talent he possesses plus the sheer surprise of a 7th-round quarterback looking promising enough to possibly back up Jordan Love, will be enough to put a lot of eyes on him throughout training camp.