NFL reasserts run game, will Detroit Lions draft follow suit?

Lions draft talk

Who are the running back candidates that match the Detroit Lions profile and when would be the best time to select one? The three prospects mentioned previously, Swift, Taylor, and Dobbins would all fit in as a new Lions runner. The Draft Network has a list of players with some basic evaluations if you want to do further research, or search YouTube for any prospect’s highlights or full games.

The short-list of players that we like as big contributors after the top three options are discussed below and all will get drafted after round two. Swift, Taylor, and Dobbins seem to be slipping from early projections of late-first to early second-round grades as each is being heavily scrutinized in the backfield-by-committee era. This could lead to one falling and being available later than expected.

The San Francisco 49ers, for example, had three different runners carry the ball more than 120 times, all with more than 500 yards rushing, including two undrafted backs, Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida who fit the Niners’ profile. All stats were quoted from Pro Football Reference.

While using the No. 35 pick would for sure address the position, the Detroit Lions have an awful lot of needs that supersede running back. However, picks 67, 85,109, and 149  all are potential spots to land a runner and get max value.

Some resources were consulted on top of our own sports observations, YouTube for highlights, the Relative Athletic Scores website, the Draft Scout website, The Draft Network website,  and Sports Reference- CFB for college stats.