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Detroit Lions, NFC North Position Rankings: Running Backs

By Jack Ozark

Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) celebrates with teammates center Graham Glasgow (60) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) after a touchdown run during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) celebrates with teammates center Graham Glasgow (60) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) after a touchdown run during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions may get a lot of flack for their running game, but how does their full group of backs stack up against the rest of the NFC North?

Green Bay Packers
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) stiff arms against Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Last week, in the first part of this new series, I looked into the quarterbacks within the Detroit Lions‘ division, the NFC North. Today, we’ll get into all the different running backs that are often called upon to finish games out.

Rather than looking at one single player at the position, this requires a look at all of the division’s contributors on a weekly basis. Let’s start in Wisconsin…

4. Green Bay Packers

The Packers lost their lovable lineman sized-running back Eddie Lacy to free agency this offseason. However, they weren’t too mad about it due to the emergence of Ty Montgomery. Montgomery came into the league as a wide receiver. But after Lacy went down due to injury, the Packers decided to try him out in the backfield.

And it worked. Montgomery gave the Packers something different out of the backfield. He’s a true multipurpose player, as his receiving ability is great for a pass happy offense. Montgomery also has the size to play the position. (6’0, 216 lbs) And his ability as a special team returner worked as a good segue to help him see running lanes.

Last season, Montgomery was able to average 5.9 yards per carry. However, this was only on 77 attempts. So it will be interesting to see if he’s able to hold his own for an entire season as the workhorse back. And that is why I placed Green Bay last in this divisional ranking.

This could have just been a fluke. And only having late round rookies behind Montgomery on the depth chart could hurt this Packers’ team this season. A veteran presence somewhere on the roster would be nice, but Green Bay seems to like what they have at the moment.

Honestly, the most exciting thing about this backfield is that a guy wearing 88 is going to be the primary runner.

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