Detroit Lions: Building depth at running back an offseason priority
The Detroit Lions roster needs improvement in the running backs. Between free agents and draft prospects, what are the best options? Let’s break it down.
Detroit Lions fans are to the time of the year where we are left with lots of what-ifs and few wins. The Lions, in true Lions fashion, just lost to a poor Buffalo Bills team, 13-14. The offense has lost almost every weapon that it possessed earlier in the season, including the dual-threat runner, rookie Kerryon Johnson.
Johnson helped to transform the offense when healthy as both a runner and receiver. What do the Lions need to do to improve the depth and quality of their running backs this offseason? Let’s talk about it.
We’re done discussing years without 100-yard rushers and we need to discuss building a stable of carriers who can keep the Lions offense balanced. The 3-headed monster of Theo Riddick, LeGarrette Blount, and Zach Zenner produced over 100 yards this past Sunday. What is missing are runners who don’t give away the Lions’ intentions or that are versatile enough to run the whole playbook effectively.
Detroit Lions roster issues
Each of the Sunday participants is a tell, a one-dimensional player. Zenner is a power runner, but not much of a receiver. Riddick is a great receiver but not much else, while Blount is a slow, power back who usually takes a few steps to get going.
If you look at the top running teams in the NFL you’ll see that they have some commonality among them. One or both of the following conditions exist, they have a workhorse, do-everything runner, and/ or they have multiple runners who fill multiple roles within the offense.
Of course, some teams have less diverse playbooks where runners are not used in the passing game much, too. In those cases, the team will still stock up on backs who can run all of their plays.
The Seattle Seahawks, the NFL’s top running team this year, has 2,168 yards rushing. Their top back, Chris Carson, has 913 of those yards. The Seahawks also have a backup, Mike Davis (439 yards), and rookie first round back, Rashaad Penny (413 yards). The Seahawks ranked 23rd in 2017 while Carson and Davis were either hurt or ineffective and prior to drafting Penny.
The Detroit Lions need a similar overhaul to their 2018 unit. Kerryon Johnson has the look of a starter and when healthy, he’s just been put on injured reserve, gave the Lions a viable threat coming out of the backfield. The last four games with him out show that the Lions’ needs extend beyond one draftee.
The Lions have seen more production out of their offense on the ground than in past years, though. Acquiring Blount, and drafting Johnson along with addressing the offensive line has moved the Lions from last to 24th, averaging more than 100 yards per game up from about 79 in 2017. The Lions are also averaging more than four yards per carry (4.2), too, a marker they did not hit a year ago.
So, the Detroit Lions run game is headed in the right direction. What free agents and 2019 rookies would fit the bill to have a better unit next season?