Detroit Lions: 2018 offensive Training Camp preview

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the New England Patriots in the first quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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.

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