Free Agent Running Back Options For The Detroit Lions

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Ben Tate (34) carries the ball during an AFC wild card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens game at Heinz Field. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bargin Bin

Ben Tate

When Tate left the Houston Texans to sign with Cleveland he was expected to be the boost the Browns needed in their running game  After an early season knee injury, frustration set in for the 26 year-old Tate and he quickly fell out of favor with the Browns.  He would spend time with the Vikings and Steelers but was never really able to be productive his role.

As a free agent there are certainly a lot of questions about the once promising back but there is also a lot of upside.  Tate has a 4.4 yard per carry average over his career and has explosive big game ability.

Even with all the water under the bridge, Tate could be a good risk for the Lions to take given the price.  Tate has always thought of himself as having elite ability the Lions could give him a chance to prove that.  Tate could be a low-risk high-reward rusher for Joe Lombardi’s offense. With all he has been through in 2014 he could have a big chip on his shoulder. That chip should serve as motivation and equal big production.

Bilal Powell

Powell never caught on with the New York Jets playing mostly in a limited role as a pass protector this season.  In 2013 he did turn in a decent season totaling nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage while averaging 4 yards per carry.  Doesn’t seem like much but that is far more than Bush did this season and for far less money.

Powell has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and is a solid pass protector. Both are good skills to have in Joe Lombardi’s offense. On his own he is not the answer but as part of the three back rotation with Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, Bilal Powell could find a way to be production in Detroit.

Next: Big Risk But Big Reward