Detroit Lions: 7 players who could be gone in 2018
By Zac Snyder
A running back (or more)
The Detroit Lions’ problems in the running game are mutli-faceted but it’s clear they don’t have a difference maker at running back. Fault lies all the way up the chain of command but the group of Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner hasn’t gotten the job done and it’s a good bet that one or more of them won’t return next season.
Picking out which of the group will see their Lions tenure end with the 2017 season makes for an interesting discussion. The easy targets are Zenner and Washington. Zenner’s contract is up after this season and will be a restricted free agent. Retaining him wouldn’t be difficult if the Lions desire to do so but Zenner has been surpassed by Tion Green. Washington has two more years remaining on his rookie contract but averaged just 2.2 yards per carry in limited opportunities while battling injuries this year.
As the two backs at the top of the depth chart it would seem a good bet that Abdullah and Riddick would return since both are under contract. However, the coaching staff has obviously soured on Abdullah and his role has been limited as a result. A new coaching staff could be enough of a fresh start he needs. At a cap hit of a little over $1.3 million, with the potential to save about $1 million if released, carrying Abdullah through his rookie contract seems prudent.
Riddick has benefitted from Abdullah’s reduced role but carries by far the biggest cap hit for Lions backs in 2018 at almost $3.9 million. The Lions could save almost $2 million against the cap by moving on, although that may not be worth taking away one of the offense’s most versatile pieces.