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Detroit Lions NFL Combine and draft primer: Running backs

By Michael Kirkland

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Running backs Leonard Fournette of LSU and Dalvin Cook of Florida State listen with a group of players during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Running backs Leonard Fournette of LSU and Dalvin Cook of Florida State listen with a group of players during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The NFL Combine will feature 31 running backs. We profile the best options available to the Detroit Lions and what to look for during the event.

RB's day 3
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Running backs Leonard Fournette of LSU and Dalvin Cook of Florida State listen with a group of players during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

It’s no secret that the Detroit Lions are looking to upgrade their worst rushing attack in the NFL. The Lions have the #20 overall pick in Round 1, but could wait as long as the second or third round to select a runner. Let’s look at the group as a whole and list what to keep an eye on during their time at this week’s NFL Combine.

Setup

This week in Indianapolis, the NFL Combine will help determine the overall draft status of many prospects. Saquon Barkley, Rashaad Penny, Sony Michel, Derrius Guice, Nick Chubb, Kerryon Johnson are a list of players expected to go in the first few rounds; most likely all will be gone by the third round.

The top seven running backs, possibly more, all look like NFL contributors. With players like third-rounders Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt being great rookies for the Saints and Chiefs, respectively, the wait philosophy with running backs is working. It shows that quality runners are falling, and giving great value in many cases, to the franchises that find them.

The Lions would love to wait and get one of these top talents without spending significant draft capital, i.e., early picks, to do it. After all, the Lions have some other big holes to fill at defensive end, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, and more.

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So, what are we looking for from each player’s workout to key off of in terms of determining whether or not we can wait to draft them? Let’s look at each in their likely draft order.

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