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Detroit Lions must make major changes at running back

By James F. Puzzuoli

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Running Back Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Running Back Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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Abdullah scores
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK

Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah was picked by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2015 draft. So, he was drafted to be a number one, which might be the biggest problem. Abdullah, like Riddick, might be very capable of being a number two, but other teams might still see his potential as a number one.

Abdullah’s yards per game are eerily similar to Riddick, even year to year:

  • 2015 (16 games) – 48.7 total yards per game (37.3 rush, 11.4 receiving)
  • 2016 (2 games) – 79.0 total yards per game (50.5 rush, 28.5 receiving)
  • 2017 (14 games) – 51.0 total yards per game (39.4 rush, 11.6 receiving)

While their numbers are similar, Riddick’s edge is where he was drafted and his ability as a receiver. It is doubtful that Abdullah will be around past 2018, unless he has a breakout season.

THE DEPTH GUYS

Tion Green, Dwayne Washington, and Zach Zenner have shown very little as Detroit Lions.

Tion Green was a 2017 rookie free agent out of Cincinnati. In just 5 games, he did rush for two touchdowns, and averaged 3.9 yards per carry. Not a great average, but he did have some production in a short period of time.

Dwayne Washington was seventh round draft pick in 2016 out of Washington. He has a career average of 2.8 yards per carry and just one touchdown in 17 career games. Washington has proven unworthy of a roster spot.

Zach Zenner was a rookie free agent in 2015 out of South Dakota State. His best year was 2016 when he played in 14 games and averaged 3.8 yards per carry with four touchdowns. Zenner is known for strong preseason showings, but as soon as the games count, he looks ineffective.

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