Detroit Lions position battles and roster breakdown: Running back

Nov 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to running back Dwayne Washington (36) during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to running back Dwayne Washington (36) during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Tion Green (7) runs the ball against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Tennessee-Martin 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Tion Green (7) runs the ball against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Tennessee-Martin 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Who could surprise

It’s possible that Ameer Abdullah has a breakout season or that Zach Zenner picks up a bigger than expected workload, but Tion Green is a player who could surprise – largely in part because of how under the radar he has been.

With the Lions apparently not making any serious effort to sign LaGarrette Blount and Matt Asiata’s signing something of an afterthought after initially ending his tryout without a deal, Green’s path to a roster spot might be clearer than many might believe.

Although the calls to make a splash by signing or drafting a bigger back earlier in the offseason were apparently not echoed by the Lions, there is a need for someone to fill the role.  Just making the roster would qualify as a surprise to many considering how little Green has been discussed, if fans even know he’s there at all.

Maybe he won’t surprise, but for a group that is otherwise familiar, keep his name in mind when camp begins.