NFL reasserts run game, will Detroit Lions draft follow suit?
Detroit Lions state of the run game
The Detroit Lions are not going to select a running back at pick number three, with almost 100% certainty because no one thinks that highly of any prospect nor do they get drafted that high any longer. Most likely, they will select the best defensive player available, possibly defensive end Chase Young or cornerback Jeffrey Okudah if they do not trade out of the spot.
There are many who think that at pick 35, the third pick in the second round, that the Detroit Lions should select one of the top three runners, D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, or J.K. Dobbins if one is there. Again, those are fan’s opinions, mostly.
Starter Kerryon Johnson is signed to his rookie deal and has two seasons left, making him a free agent after the 2021 season. Only Ty Johnson is signed past 2021, to 2022; every other running back, Tra Carson, Wes Hills, and Scarbrough are free agents next offseason, Spotrac contract breakdown here.
Other running game factors
While the running game has been better under Quinn, averaging 103.1 yards-per-game in 2019, good for 21st in the NFL, there’s still a lot of improvements to be made. Quinn letting guard-center Graham Glasgow leave for the Denver Broncos in free agency, after losing T.J. Lang to retirement the year prior, has diminished the talent blocking for the Detroit Lions’ running backs.
Halapoulivaati “Big V” Vaitai was signed from the Philadelphia Eagles to bolster the tackle position and has performed well in the running game in his limited starts, while Quinn let go of former right tackle starter, Rick Wagner, to address Wagner’s diminishing performances and make room for the younger blocker, Vaitai.
The Detroit Lions passing offense has been very good when quarterback Matthew has been under center, usually in the top-10, and the current receivers Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Jr., Danny Amendola, and T.J. Hockenson are the best corps Stafford has ever had to work with as a complement to the running game. The passing game should garner much of the attention of opposing defensive coordinators, making any upgrades to the rushing attack very effective if done well.