Should the Detroit Lions sign Jonathan Stewart, DeMarco Murray?
Veteran running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeMarco Murray are set to visit the Detroit Lions on Monday. But should the team sign either of them?
Suddenly, the Detroit Lions have become the preferred destination for some of the league’s oldest running backs looking for one last shot at redemption. On Monday, the Lions are scheduled to host visits from former Tennessee Titans’ running back DeMarco Murray and Carolina Panthers’ longtime veteran Jonathan Stewart.
Both running backs are on the wrong side of 30, and likely looking to Detroit as their last chance at winning a starting role. The Lions did post the worst rushing total in the NFL last season, recording a total 1,221 yards. That’s just 76.3 yards per game on the ground, nearly 10 yards less per contest than the next closest team. (Cincinnati Bengals, 85.4)
The Lions leading rusher last season was third-year running back Ameer Abdullah, who ran for 552 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games, 11 as the starter. Abdullah’s 3.3 yards per carry average ranked him next to last in the NFL of the 48 qualifying running backs.
After totally ignoring the running back position last season, the Lions front office is expected to heavily invest in their offensive backfield this year. And the fact they are hosting both Murray and Stewart is proof. But are either one of these veterans the answer to solving Detroit’s rushing woes? Probably not. At least not alone.
Both veterans have seen better days. Murray is coming off a disappointing season in Tennessee in which he ran for 659 yards and six scores. He also posted 39 receptions for 266 yards and another touchdown. But his 3.6 yards per carry average is tied for the lowest of his seven-year career.
Stewart is entering his 11th season in the NFL. Turning 31-years old next week, the veteran back posted similar numbers to Murray in 2017. Stewart recorded 680 rushing yards and six scores for the Panthers last season. But he also posted a 3.4 yards per carry average, the worst of his entire career.
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Both DeMarco Murray and Jonathan Stewart are veteran running backs who appear to be slowing down. If I had to pick between them, I’d take Murray, who is slightly younger and is only a year removed from a 1,000+ rushing yard season (2016 – 1,287 yards). Regardless, the Lions must look to the draft to find their next star running back. Both Murray and Stewart are better as backups at this point in their careers.