Detroit Lions: The search for Kerryon Johnson’s ideal running mate

Elijah Holyfield, University of Georgia

This is the running back I am hoping the Lions draft the most. Holyfield has largely flown under the radar this draft cycle as he has not drawn much attention because he was always the backup to another star.

Holyfield is who I prefer the Lions end up with over everyone else, including Ingram. Holyfield, because he always had future NFL stars ahead of him, never saw a ton of carries in college. When he finally got the chance to co-start, he shined.

Holyfield is a nasty runner. He will just as soon look at you as he will flatten you on the field. He loves running over people and never shies away from contact. He is the type of back that would complete the Lions backfield.

Holyfield’s best trait is his power, but he also has great balance and vision as well. He does not have quite elite agility of Johnson, but he makes up for it in other ways. In all games I watched Holyfield play in, I don’t think I ever saw him get tackled backwards; he always gained that extra yard or two by falling forward.

This past year, his one year as a co-starter, he carried the ball 159 times for 1018 yards and seven touchdowns. He has very little mileage on his body, having only carried the ball a total of 215 times throughout his UGA career.

He was never used very often in the passing game because his co-starter, Deandre Swift, was the pass catching running back. Holyfield would be more than capable of carrying the load should Kerryon ever go down. Holyfield would more than be able to provide the power the Lions need at the position as a goal line or third/fourth and short backer.

As I said earlier, Holyfield has been flying under the radar this draft cycle. At this point, the earliest I expect him to go would be in the third round and as late as the fifth. I would be perfectly happy if the Lions decided to take him with their late third or early fourth round pick.

Holyfield provides everything the Lions need in a running back to pair with Kerryon and he wouldn’t even cost them too much in money and/or draft capital. This is my ideal candidate to pair with current runner Kerryon Johnson.