After placing starting running back Kerryon Johnson onto Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, the Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in Kenyan Drake.
The Detroit Lions lost their starting running back, Kerryon Johnson, due to a knee injury, sending the second-year runner to Injured Reserve this past week. So it’s clear the Lions have a major need to fill despite head coach Matt Patricia’s claim of preparing for a running back-by-committee approach involving some sort of combination of J.D. McKissic, Ty Johnson, Tra Carson, and Paul Perkins.
There are several big names rumored to be on the trading block across the league. And with the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching (Tuesday, October 29th, 4:00 p.m. ET), we could see several moves being made in the coming days. And according to the Miami Herald, the Lions could attempt to land themselves a new starting running back.
Based on their report, Detroit has targeted Miami Dolphins’ running back Kenyan Drake. The Dolphins are apparently looking for at least a fourth-round selection for the fourth-year veteran who has racked up a total of 16 starts over his short pro career.
But Detroit isn’t the only suitor based on the report. The Tennessee Titans and several other teams have expressed interest in Drake according to two unnamed sources. But the asking price has apparently been too high.
Just 25-years old, Drake is coming off his best season yet. In 2018, he recorded 535 rushing yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Drake also had 53 receptions for 477 yards and scored nine total touchdowns.
But the Lions have other options. Beyond the players on their own depth chart, the team recently had former Cincinnati Bengals starter Jeremy Hill in for a reported workout. Coming off an ACL injury, signing a free agent like Hill makes sense as his old running backs coach, Kyle Caskey, is now in the exact same position in Motown. There are also more running backs rumored to be on the trading block like the Los Angeles Chargers’ Melvin Gordon.
If the Miami Herald’s report is accurate, then the four running backs on the Lions’ current roster have one chance to prove they can step up and replace Kerryon Johnson’s production against the New York Giants this Sunday. If they fail to do so, I imagine the Detroit brass might up their offer for Kenyan Drake.
We also came up with a list of 5 free agents to replace Kerryon Johnson in the Motor City. You can check out that by clicking here.