Detroit Lions: Running back options abound in free agency, draft
By Ash Thompson
Running backs in free agency
Free agency is a little bit risky for a team picking up a running back. Teams generally end up paying for the past performance of a free agent. At the running back spot, the player’s performance usually drops near the end of their second contract. That makes age a very important factor for a free agent running back. The idea that running backs drop off a cliff at 30 is not always true. It is true often enough, however, that signing a running back over 26 has to be considered a short-term investment.
Le’Veon Bell is the bell cow of this free agent class. He is a 1,500-2,000 yard from scrimmage player and those are rare. In particular, they almost never reach free agency. He is very likely going to be re-signed in Pittsburgh.
Carlos Hyde has shown the ability to lead a backfield. He is, unfortunately for him, coming off his worst performance as a pro with the San Fransisco 49ers in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. If the Lions are going to a heavily zone oriented running scheme under new offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, they may want to avoid Hyde. If they are going in another direction Hyde could be the Thunder to Riddick or Abdullah’s lightning.
Isaiah Crowell is another big bodied and powerful runner that could augment what the Lions already have. The biggest point in Crowell’s favor for me is that Hue Jackson doesn’t want him. In a December game against the Ravens, Jackson ran the ball with running backs12 times for 95 yards. Crowell received only five of those carries but gained 72 yards.
Alfred Morris is an effective one-cut downhill runner but can not really do anything else for a team. If the Lions are going to utilize zone blocking heavily Morris has the ability to contribute for them. This is predicated on the team moving away from the practice of handing the ball to a running back who is standing still. Morris is at his best with a head of steam that allows him to use his size to his advantage.
LeGarrette Blount is a player that could add a completely missing dimension to the Lions backfield. He has won Superbowls as a key contributor to two different teams in the last two seasons. If the team wants a between the tackles runner with power and little else, Blount would be a good short term signing.
A complete reset may be the direction that the Lions go at the running back position in 2018. If that is Bob Quinn’s plan Dion Lewis is an intriguing player. Lewis is a similar archetypal player to Abdullah and Riddick. The difference is that he has been significantly more successful as the undersized and shifty back in a committee, and showed the ability to carry a team’s running game in 2017. Lewis has never averaged fewer than 4.4 yards per carry, and he is coming off a season where he contributed over 1100 yards from scrimmage.
There are also numerous role players available in the 2018 free agent class. Powerful runners like Jeremy Hill, Orleans Darkwa, and Brandon Bolden could add a dimension to the Lions group in a reserve role. Veterans like Frank Gore, Darren Sproles, and Jamaal Charles could bring some leadership to the room, if not the same level of performance they once did to the field. if a complete teardown of the position is in order passing down specialists Shane Vereen, Charles Sims, and Benny Cunningham could help them do that.
This is also a deep draft class at the position though.Similar players are available to the team in the draft as well.