Detroit Lions: Have you given up on Ameer Abdullah yet?
Although it seems like the end of the road for former second round pick, running back Ameer Abdullah, one former player believes he can still be a star.
4,438 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons. Those were the numbers Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah entered the NFL with. Touted as a dynamic offensive weapon, the Detroit Lions drafted Abdullah 54th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, with their second round selection.
Despite his production in college, Abdullah’s small 5-foot-9, 205 pound frame and ball security issues were major concerns coming out of college. Durability issues and a lack of pass protection ability meant Ameer was not suited for the workhorse role on the next level. Yet, his draft status demanded the Lions try to fit him into that role.
Abdullah showed promise his rookie season, leading the Lions in rushing, posting 597 yards and two scores on 143 carries. Unfortunately, he also fumbled the ball five times and Detroit would end the year with a disappointing 7-9 record.
Ameer’s second season could have been transcendent. In a Week One victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Abdullah rushed for 63 yards averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He also caught five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
In Week Two, Abdullah was off to a terrific start against the Tennessee Titans. He recorded 38 yards on six carries before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
Despite his potential, Ameer’s draft fears became reality his first two seasons in the NFL. A lack of durability robbed Abdullah from making a significant contribution to a Lions’ club that posted a 9-7 record in 2016 and secured themselves a playoff berth without their top runner for the majority of the year.
Many seemed to be done with the former second rounder before last season. Unfortunately, Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn was not one of them. Instead of bringing in more running back talent, Quinn focused on his offensive line in 2017.
As a result, Detroit fielded the worst running game in the NFL last year. And at the core of their rushing woes was Abdullah. Returning from a Lisfranc fracture, the third-year running back struggled with consistency behind an offensive line riddled with injuries. Ameer was essentially benched by head coach Jim Caldwell by the end of the season, as the team turned to veteran Theo Riddick to start in their final five games.
This offseason, Abdullah was considered a possible trade candidate as he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in Detroit. And with the Lions signing LeGarrette Blount plus drafting Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Ameer’s days in the Motor City appear to be numbered.
But once again, Quinn has thrown his support behind Abdullah, vowing there is a place on this Lions’ roster for him. Whether that be as a running back and/or a special teams returner. In fact, one former NFL player believes Abdullah can still live up to his college potential in the NFL.
"“Former New York Giants great Tiki Barber was on our radio show before the NFL draft and felt strongly Abdullah could still be a star in this league,” wrote Jamie Samuelsen for the Detroit Free Press. “If you remember, Barber struggled mightily with fumbles early in his career and then turned it around to become one of the best backs in the league. The book isn’t written on Abdullah yet.”"
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By adding both LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson to the roster, plus the presence of Theo Riddick, the Detroit Lions are clearly moving on from Ameer Abdullah as a workhorse running back. But that role was never predicted to be his best coming out of Nebraska. If Abdullah can reinvent himself as a playmaker both on the offense and special teams in 2018, perhaps it’s not time for fans to give up on the high draft pick just yet.