3 running backs the Detroit Lions could sign after roster cuts and waivers

When the Detroit Lions unveiled their initial 53-man roster for this year, one of the biggest surprises (if not the biggest surprise) was David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs being the only two running backs. No offense to Jason Cabinda, but he is a fullback by position label only.

To put it simply, the Lions are not going into the season with only three running backs on their active roster. It's fair to assume Craig Reynolds will be brought back as that third running back, if another team doesn't sign him after he was released. But contingency plans should always be looked into, at any position--let alone one of the positions subject to injury and turnover the way running back i . And if a better or more promising back than Reynolds is available, they should trump the idea of it just being a matter of timing before bringing him back.

The Lions, barring a major injury to Montgomery or Gibbs, obviously don't need to add someone who they'd expect to take a big offensive role. But as shown when Reynolds stepped in for a couple games in 2021, having a No. 3 running back who's capable of seamlessly taking on a large role if needed is valuable.

So with that, here are three running backs who were let go by other teams that could be on the Lions' radar. Ultimately, no running backs were claimed off waivers before Wednesday's noon ET deadline.

3 running backs the Detroit Lions could sign after roster cuts and waivers

3. Kenyan Drake

Drake has become well-traveled the last couple years, and he was released by the Indianapolis Colts this week. In a role similar to what he would occupy for the Lions, last year with the Baltimore Ravens, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry (109 carries for 442 yards) with three touchdowns.

The last time he had a sizeable role for a team, 2020 with the Arizona Cardinals, Drake had 955 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has two 50-catch seasons on his resume. even if they were a lifetime ago in running back years (2018 as a Miami Dolphin, 2019 split between the Dolphins and the Cardinals).

It feels like the Colts used Drake as a pawn to push Jonathan Taylor to be a happier camper, set aside any health or contract concerns and come to camp. Once that was off the table, and they couldn't trade Taylor before Tuesday's deadline and kept him on the PUP list, Drake was disposable in favor of younger backs who may have knocked him off the roster anyway.

Drake is not in a position to be choosy, and he won't have a ton of options to land somewhere. But he is a nice possible fit for the Lions as a veteran depth option, and they can definitely do worse.

2. DeWayne McBride

McBride was somewhat surprisingly waived by the Minnesota Vikings, who have a clear question mark behind Alexander Mattison on their own running back depth chart. They were probably crossing their fingers he'd clear waivers and they can get him back. And indeed, no one put in a claim on him by Wednesday's deadline. So he's now an unrestricted free agent.


A seventh-round pick by the Vikings in April, McBride had a very productive college career at UAB. Last season, he was second in the FBS in rushing yards (1,713; 7.4 yards per carry) with 19 touchdowns. In 2021, he ran for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns. Conference USA doesn't offer the highest level of competition, but production is production and McBride's over his last two college seasons is hard to ignore sheerly with a "low level of competition" argument and nothing else. He also ran for 183 yards against BYU in a bowl game.


McBride is fast, and fairly stout (5-foot-11, 215 pounds). He may have been on the Lions' radar during the pre-draft process as a late-round option to fortify their running back depth chart. Couple that with an opportunity to trump a division rival's possible plan by signing him, and there's a potential fit.

1. Zonovan Knight

The Jets signing Dalvin Cook sealed Knight's fate, and it came to fruition when he was waived on Tuesday. He didn't have much of role early last year as an undrafted rookie, as in he did not even play until Week 12. But Breece Hall's torn ACL eventually gave him an opportunity, and he took advantage immediately.

Knight ran for at least 69 yards in each of his first three games last season (230 total rushing yards; 5.0 yards per carry), along with 10 reception over that span. Then the Lions shut him down in Week 15 (13 carries for 23 yards), and things were never the same from there. He finished with 300 yards on 85 carries over his seven games, along with 13 receptions for 100 yards.

With a hat-tip to Russell Brown of Lions Wire, Knight forced a missed tackle on 34 percent of his carries last season (No. 1 in the NFL). He has juice as a runner, and he showed himself as a capable pass catcher in a moribund Jets' offense last year.

The Lions were not beaten out in the waiver claim process with Knight, and no team submitted a claim on him. So he is free to sign anywhere, and the Lions should be in line to do so.

Update: The Lions have signed Knight to their practice squad.