The Lions fanbase is currently ecstatic over this weekend’s additions to the team’s offensive line. Detroit signed former Ravens tackle, Rick Wagner, and then added former Packers guard, T.J. Lang to fill the remaining holes after losing Larry Warford and Riley Reiff. The Lions now have five talented players starting up front, hopefully bringing some stability and room for Detroit to implement more of a running game behind quarterback Matthew Stafford. Since the line is no longer a major need, let’s look at the top free agent and draft options for Detroit at the running back position.
1. Dalvin Cook – Florida State
2016 Rushing Stats: 1,765, 19 TDs
Cook was an absolute stud for the Seminoles throughout his college career. His electrifying breakaway speed, to go along with solid vision is reminding many scouts of a young Jamaal Charles. The question concerning Cook, however, is whether his skill set is different enough from Detroit’s current backs, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah — speed backs who excel at catching the ball out of the backfield. Cook also does this well and doesn’t have the size, at 5-11, to separate from the pack. Neither Riddick or Abdullah has the star potential of Cook, though, and that could be the difference in pulling the trigger, should he fall to 21. Where Cook lands is totally up in the air right now with rumors flying and mock drafts being produced by the second.
2. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
2016 Rushing Stats: 72 yards, 0 TDs
Peterson was hurt last season, and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time for the quick-starting Vikings in 2016. They collapsed and Peterson’s late-season comeback attempt was for nothing. Now that he’s in his early 30s, there is some doubt as to whether he will ever be the playmaking tailback he used to be. I wouldn’t be so sure about that. He’s visited the Seahawks and while it seems like a perfect fit, Pete Carroll might not be sold, as Peterson has yet to land a deal. Detroit would make a lot of sense with those recent moves up front. Yes, there is still some controversy, but Peterson is a Hall-of-Fame level of talent and the Lions have a formidable line.
3. LeGarrette Blount – N.E. Patriots
2016 Rushing Stats: 1,161 yards,18 TDs
Blount was an absolute touchdown monster for the normally pass-heavy Patriots. He had 18 TD runs, and helped the team survive an early, Brady-less first quarter of the season. Blount has familiarity with Bob Quinn, and if they aren’t sold on Zenner, he would make some sense as the power-back in Detroit’s offense. He’s on the wrong side of 30 for a free agent running back. Yes, he’s a decent fit, but is he really an upgrade over the Lions’ current group of backs?
4. Christian McCaffrey – Stanford
2016 Rushing Stats: 1,603, 13 TDs
McCaffrey, as we profiled yesterday, is a do-it-all threat coming out of the backfield, and would seem to be a good fit for Jim Bob Cooter’s offense. McCaffrey’s draft stock depends heavily on how early Fournette and Cook are drafted. If Detroit lucks into either of the first two, I doubt they pass. McCaffrey is a guy with high potential, but can he prove worthy of a 1st-round pick? He may be there in the second, but I don’t think Detroit can bank on that. If they want him, I think they either trade back into the late-1st, or simply bite the bullet and take him at 21. Is he more than a situational, 3rd-down-back? Only real NFL scouts know that.
5. Joe Mixon – Oklahoma
2016 Rushing Stats: 1,274 yards, 10 TDs
It’s obvious that Mixon is in Detroit’s cross-hairs, whether you support him or not. Quinn spoke out against Mixon being held out of the scouting combine and has reportedly met with him since. Mixon is a 1st-round talent, and if the Lions don’t grab one of the aforementioned players, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mixon gets drafted in the third or fourth-round. He’s certainly a good fit, but could the fanbase stomach his baggage? It could be a defining moment for Quinn in terms of the value he places on character in player acquisition.
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