Detroit Lions cut Theo Riddick; Is it a mistake?
Longtime running back Theo Riddick has rumored to be on the roster bubble. Now that the Pride has cut him, is the move a mistake?
A day after signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels to a one-year, $9.1 million deal, securing themselves one of the most formidable fronts in the NFL, the Detroit Lions were forced to make a corresponding release to accommodate their newest player.
On Saturday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport reported that the Lions are releasing longtime running back Theo Riddick. The 28-year old is coming off a down season in Detroit where he failed to score a single touchdown for the first time in his six-year career. The move will save the Lions over $3.6 million of salary-cap space.
Originally a sixth-round selection out of Notre Dame back in 2013, Riddick was a Day Three gem and soon established himself as one of the top receiving threats out of the backfield in the entire league. His best season as a receiver came in 2015 when he posted 80 catches for 697 yards and three scores.
Known more for being a playmaker than strictly a running back-threat, Riddick posted a career-high of 9.3 yards per reception in 2014. Last season, that average dropped to just 6.3 yards per catch and is likely one of the reasons why the Lions have now decided to move on.
But is the release of Riddick the right decision or a mistake? The move obviously makes financial sense but it also removes one of quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s mainstays. But let’s not forget that Detroit hired a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell this offseason, which likely factors in here. Plus, cutting Riddick opens up more opportunities for younger players. One of them being second-year running back Kerryon Johnson.
The 2018 second-round selection out of Auburn displayed similar receiver abilities during his rookie season. In just 10 games last year, Johnson posted 32 receptions for 213 and a score. That’s along with 641 rushing yards and three touchdowns on an amazing 5.4 yards per carry average. Riddick recorded 171 rushing yards last season on 41 attempts, his lowest carry total since 2014.
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The depth chart in Detroit now includes Kerryon Johnson, free agent signing C.J. Anderson, veteran Zach Zenner, Mark Thompson, and sixth-round rookie Ty Johnson. The latter also flashed some playmaker ability this offseason and could be a candidate for some of the snaps now made available due to the release of Riddick.