Running Backs:
Kerryon Johnson (starter): Rookie
LeGarrette Blount (3rd down): 9th year
Theo Riddick (change of pace): 6th year
Nick Bellore (fullback): 8th year
Ameer Abdullah: 4th year
Zach Zenner: 4th year
Dwayne Washington: 3rd year
The Lions’ running back room is crowded but don’t expect it to stay this jam packed for long.
Tion Green was cut earlier this offseason and I feel like Dwayne Washington is a long shot to make the final roster.
Zach Zenner was re-signed in March primarily for his role on special teams and if Abdullah cannot carve himself out a similar niche on special teams or elsewhere, then I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see him depart as well.
Detroit drafted Nick Bawden at fullback this year but his season is likely over before it could even begin after possibly suffering a torn ACL during minicamp earlier this month.
Thankfully, former linebacker Nick Bellore made the permanent leap over to fullback this offseason and he should be able to fill in admirably in that role.
With better offensive line coaching and improved run blocking up front, the Lions’ running back-by-committee approach (led by rookie Kerryon Johnson and free agent addition LeGarrette Blount) should be a vast improvement over their long dormant ground game.