Is LeGarrette Blount really a fit for the Lions?
By Tho Bishop
Many Lions fans went in the draft expecting to come out with a running back. Bob Quinn disagreed. The Lions’ GM preferred the running backs already on the roster over the value the draft provided.
Of course, draft value is different than free agency value. Already many are speculating that the Lions could acquire a veteran soon.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports that “League sources” tell him the Lions may be in the market for former Patriots back LeGarrette Blount. It is unclear whether Robinson’s report is based on anything substantive, or rather NFL personnel connecting dots between Blount and Quinn’s time in New England. Robinson’s report indicates it’s more the former than the latter.
In fact, it’s fair to question whether Blount fits the Lions team at all.
Why Special Teams Matters
The Lions’s clearly plan to move forward with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick on the roster. This means the Lions are already planning on carrying two backs who won’t be contributing on special teams. While Blount may offer an upgrade over other backs as a runner, he is unlikely to replace the snaps they take on special teams.
With this in mind, it makes more sense that the Lions hosted Matt Asiata this week in Allen Park. Rotoworld may mock Asiata’s less-than-explosive running style, but he was a consistent special teams contributor in Minnesota.
It’s also fair to question whether Blount represents an upgrade for the Lions at this point in his career.
While his 2016 season was his best in the NFL, he is going into his 31-year-old season and seemed to wear down as last season went on. Further, as ProFootballFocus highlighted this week, Zach Zenner outperformed Blount when it came to yards after contact last year.
Blount As Insurance
Unfortunately, Quinn’s faith in Riddick and Abdullah means betting on players with frustrating injury histories.
From that perspective, perhaps Blount makes sense as an insurance policy. The Lions could sign Blount for a small signing bonus and cut him prior to the season if the Lions emerge from the pre-season injury free. For Blount, though, this is probably his last shot at a decent contract. While his market has been slow to develop, he just needs a single camp injury to collect. It’s unlikely he will be in a rush to sign a team-friendly deal.
This doesn’t mean the Lions won’t add a running back to the roster. It makes sense to allow a veteran like Asiata compete with Zenner and Dwayne Washington. Quality running backs, like Jeremy Hill, may also be available due to the draft. In any case, expect someone that can contribute on special teams, or offer more upside than a soon-to-be 31-year-old running back.
Instead of pining after Blount, Lions fans should check out highlights of UDFA Tion Green from Cincinnati. He is unlikely to ever have a 1,000 yard season, he aspires to be a “franchise special teams player.”
Plus he has also already mastered the Tim Tebow-jump pass.
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