NFL Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Running Back Targets

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Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Evan Spencer (6) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) react following Elliot’s touchdown run against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

The following running backs will fit the profile for the Lions but they won’t be drafted by them for various reasons.

Top running backs Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, and Jordan Howard fit the profile, but are likely to be drafted on days one and two. I can’t see the Lions spending another high pick at the position, especially with three capable backs on the roster. So, if you were hoping to see them in a Lions uniform, it’s best to start tempering your expectations now.

Arkansas’s Jonathan Williams was interviewed by the Lions at the combine and hits many of the Lions markers. He’s a 220 pounds slashing back, who has burst through the hole, and is a reliable pass protector. These traits make him a candidate for day two but he had foot surgery in 2015 and missed the entire season.

Foot injuries for a running back are scary for teams and this may cause him to fall to day three. Not having seen him perform on the field since 2014, is too risky for me to use an early day three pick on which is where I see him being drafted.

Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) runs for a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame’s C.J. Prosise was also interviewed by the Lions at the combine and on paper seems to be someone the Lions would have interest in. Prosise is 220 pounds, ran a 4.48 at the combine and his game is similar to Fred Jackson’s. He has NFL size and is still developing but he has too many flaws in his game to contribute early.

Prosise carried the ball 156 times last season and fumbled five times, that’s third worst in this class. Prosise is very raw in pass protection and doesn’t have the power to be effective right now. His inefficiency in pass protection is too much to overcome and I think the Lions will pass.

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