The Detroit Lions' run game was dealt a blow to kick of September when running back Isiah Pacheco was placed on the injured reserve.
The move means the free agent signee, and David Montgomery replacement, will miss at least the first four games of the season, joining center Cade Mays and safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch on an already growing injury list heading into Week 1.
For now, it appears the Lions will be rolling with Jacob Saylors as the RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs, after a fantastic preseason for the former UFL standout. But it doesn't hurt to bring in some reinforcements in case things go array.
The Lions have recently worked out Kareem Hunt, but assuming the Lions decide to pass on him for whatever reason or he signs elsewhere, there are still RBs in free agency worth kicking the tires on.
Three running backs the Lions should consider signing before Week 1
Trayveon Williams
The Lions are already familiar with Trayveon Williams, after signing him mid-preseason and later cutting him in during roster cuts. The former Cincinnati Bengals RB was reliable in short yardage situations, scoring three touchdowns all from one yard out.
Williams did more than just short rushes, though, as he totaled 89 rushing yards -- 20 more than the run defense gave up in those final two preseason games. Williams also had multiple lengthy rushes, with a long rush of 17 yards.
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Williams is not a household name by any stretch, nor has his career 72 attempts in five seasons scream answer to the team's RB woes behind Gibbs. But he did much of what the Lions asked of him during the preseason, and it's worth rewarding that by bringing him back in the fold in some capacity.
Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert is the oldest RB on the market at 34-years-old, but he isn't far removed from his 1,000-yard and NFL-leading 18 TD season in 2023. He also added 175 yards and three receiving TDs to his Pro Bowl season. And he did all of that in just 15 games at the age of 31.
However, his output has tanked in the two seasons since, totaling 613 total yards and two TDs for the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders. By signing Mostert, the Lions would be betting on his drop off being due to below average, or in the 2024 Dolphins' case arguably league-worst, offensive lines rather than age. That he can still be a reliable back in whatever role the Lions need him to play.
The Lions' O-line was rough last season, as well, but there have been some encouraging signs this preseason that this season should be better. Namely, how productive the run game was despite Gibbs not playing, with Saylors and company averaging 161.33 yards per game on the ground.
Antonio Gibson
Antonio Gibson is a bold option because he perfectly fits the mold of RB3 and returner, roles he played for the New England Patriots these past two seasons. The obvious issue is that he's almost 11 months removed from tearing his ACL. For a 28-year-old RB and returner, that brings up career-ender questions for the former 1,000-yard rusher.
Updates on his status have been few and far between. Gibson wasn't on a team during preseason, and there hasn't been any reports of him working out for a team. That may not bode well for his NFL future, nor these first few weeks while Pacheco is out, but the idea behind signing him is more about the late season.
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If injuries continue to be an issue, already having a veteran like him or the also recovering Austin Ekeler could be invaluable in those high-stakes games. This as opposed to leaning on more unproven RB like Sione Vaki, who could learn plenty under Gibson or Ekeler in the meantime.
What these names say is that the list of available RBs aren't all that exciting, but thankfully, the Lions aren't looking for a RB1 or even an RB2 if Saylors continues his play from preseason. Whether it's familiarity or experience, the Lions do have options out there if they feel it's necessary to fill out the RB room more before the season starts.
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