Detroit Lions: 3 free agents that can still help this team

C.J. Anderson, Running Back

The Lions’ running game took a big hit last year when then-rookie Kerryon Johnson went down for the last portion of the season. Finding a reliable number two back will be an important task for the Lions to complete as the offseason continues. That’s where running back C.J. Anderson comes in.

Last year, with Super Bowl runner up Los Angeles Rams, Anderson rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns on just 43 attempts; that’s seven yards per carry!  At just 28 years old, Anderson could be a productive second running back for the Lions. His rumbling and north to south style is the kind of back that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had so much success with in Seattle.

In the limited work he saw last season the people of PFF gave Anderson an above-average grade of 72.1. Anderson would give the Lions a strong runner that gets vertical as soon as possible and won’t go down under arm tackles or when hit the first time. Anderson would provide the Lions with the type of runner they hoped they would have last year in LeGarrette Blount, and would more than be able to carry the load for a few games (as he proved during the playoffs and Super Bowl last year).

The Lions would very likely be able to obtain Anderson’s services for relatively cheap, having to only pay somewhere in the $1-$2 million range as he played for less than $1 million last year. Signing Anderson to a deal would allow the Lions to not have to use a pick on a running back in this year’s draft and let them focus on more important and immediate needs.