Detroit Lions: Can Mark Thompson become a short-yardage specialist?

Following the release of Theo Riddick, can power back Mark Thompson carve out a niche for himself as a short-yardage specialist with the Detroit Lions?

The running back situation drastically changed for the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Following the addition of free-agent Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels on Friday, the Lions had to make a roster cut in order to add the defender to their team.

So, on Saturday, the Lions parted ways with longtime running back Theo Riddick. The move leaves five running backs on Detroit’s current depth chart. And they include Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Zach Zenner, Ty Johnson, and Mark Thompson.

After a stellar rookie season, Kerryon Johnson is firmly cemented as the Lions’ starter heading in 2019. Although a knee injury limited him to just 10 games last year, the 2018 second rounder impressed posting 641 rushing yards and three scores on 118 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt.

Kerryon Johnson also recorded 32 receptions for 213 yards and another score. It is that versatility that might have allowed Detroit to move on from the 28-year-old Riddick, who is still considered one of the best receivers out of the backfield in the NFL.

Rookie Ty Johnson impressed this offseason as a potential playmaker out of the backfield as well. While Anderson and Zenner figure to fill the role of more traditional short-yardage backs, like LeGarrette Blount did for Detroit last season.

But considering the release of Riddick, a dark horse may emerge as a candidate for a spot on the active roster as a short-yardage specialist. And that’s Thompson.

Here’s what Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press noted about Thompson’s size and power which was put on display Saturday during a practice session at training camp.

"“Mark Thompson scored on the first rep when the second-team units took the field … Thompson is a huge running back, listed at 6 feet 1 and 240 pounds, and appeared to get in the end zone from my vantage point 120-plus yards away on sheer size.”"

Undrafted out of Florida in 2018, Thompson entered the NFL with little fanfare. He posted an impressive 5.1 yards per carry average for the Gators as a senior, but only had 58 carries for 297 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. You can see his college highlights here.

Last season, Thompson bounced between the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets practice squads. He did post an impressive 91 yards on 14 carry performance for the Ravens against the Washington Redskins last preseason. Check out this impressive highlight off a screen pass against the Los Angeles Rams last year.

In January, the stout 6-foot-1, 235-pound Thompson signed a Reserve-Future contract with the Detroit Lions. And with the release of Theo Riddick, the second-year power back has a much better chance of earning himself a place on the active roster if he continues to impress this summer.