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Detroit Lions running backs ranked dead last in NFL

By Zac Snyder

Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) celebrates with teammates center Graham Glasgow (60) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) after a touchdown run during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) celebrates with teammates center Graham Glasgow (60) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) after a touchdown run during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions didn’t have a lot of success running the ball last season and that shows in one writer’s rankings of NFL running back groups.

Sports on Earth’s Kenneth Arthur went about ranking all 32 teams based on their group of running backs and it’s not pretty for the Detroit Lions. In fact, it couldn’t be worse. You would have to scroll all the way to the bottom of Arthur’s rankings before you found the Lions running back group – dead last of the 32 NFL teams.

He gives the following commentary with the ranking:

"The Lions weren’t successful at running the ball, but they didn’t make any significant changes because they’re still going to focus on Matthew Stafford as the one who brings the Lions down the field. Riddick led the team with just 357 rushing yards, but Abdullah is expected to be the one to bring this unit out of the gutter. Abdullah’s career high for yards in a game is 77."

While the Lions didn’t technically make big changes at the running back position this offseason, they also aren’t necessarily heading into the season with the status quo. After all, Ameer Abdullah is the team’s number one back but he played in just two games last season.

Getting him back healthy does give cause of optimism for rushing results better than the Lions got last season. Before his season was cut short, Abdullah was effective when taking a hand off from Matthew Stafford. He got only 18 carries, but got 101 yards out of those carries. Even in a limited sample size, 5.61 yards per carry is nothing to sneeze at.

Just getting Abdullah back changes the entire outlook of the running back depth chart. It frees up Theo Riddick to be utilized in a more versatile role that suits him best and limits Zach Zenner to being the back called upon to grind out tough yards.

The Lions did upgrade the offensive line by swapping out Riley Reiff and Larry Warford for T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner in free agency, although that figures to pay more dividends in the passing game than the running game. Run blocking was Warford’s biggest strength while Lang, while a competent run blocker, excels in pas protection.

Next: Breaking down the Lions' running back situation

Elsewhere in the NFC North, the Chicago Bears were ranked the division’s best running back group at ninth overall. The Green Bay Packers check in 18th and the Minnesota Vikings are 21st.

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