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Detroit Lions: 5 Under the Radar Free Agent Targets

By Zac Snyder

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs with the ball while avoiding a tackle attempt by New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont’a Hightower (54) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs with the ball while avoiding a tackle attempt by New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont’a Hightower (54) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Ivory

While some Lions fans will be quick to want to turn over Joique Bell‘s role to preseason darling Zach Zenner, I’m more willing to look for an upgrade first. The Lions are in a good spot with Theo Riddick as a receiving option out of the backfield and with Ameer Abdullah as a young, quick-strike threat but there is still a need for a bigger back.

Coming off a three-year, $6 million deal, Ivory is in line for a raise considering he just had the best season of his career and is still on the right side of 30-years old. But Ivory is best suited as part of a running back rotation and teams with more of an eye towards a running back in free agency will be more drawn to guys like Doug Martin and Lamar Miller.

That could mean that the market is not as fruitful for Ivory as it otherwise could, or should, be and that would be to the Lions’ benefit. Also to the Lions’ benefit would be the positive blocking grade Ivory received from Pro Football Focus for last season.

Time will tell if the Lions have any interest in Ivory but they could certainly do worse in adjusting their running back rotation following Bell’s release.

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