Detroit Lions to meet with running back Frank Gore
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions continue giving the veteran running back market a look, this time by hosting Frank Gore on a free agent visit.
Running back has been on the Detroit Lions‘ need list since the 2017 season ended but the team hasn’t been aggressive in addressing it in the early part of the free agent negotiating window. Players like Isaiah Crowell, Dion Lewis and Carlos Hyde are headed elsewhere as the Lions have appeared to instead focus on more senior veterans like DeMarco Murray and Jonathan Steward.
Add another over-30 name to the list: Frank Gore.
According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Gore will be in town to meet with the Lions today.
Free agent RB Frank Gore just text me, "going to visit the Detroit #Lions today."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 14, 2018
It makes sense to explore all options but be careful kicking this set of tires – the remaining tread might fall off.
Gore turns 35-years old in May and has seen his production fall since leaving the San Francisco 49ers. He never averaged below 4.1 yards per carry as a 49er, including 4.3 yards per carry in his final season there before moving on to the Indianapolis Colts on a three-year deal. In Indy, Gore’s production suffered as he was never better than 3.9 yards per carry, hitting a career-low 3.7 yards per carry.
Though no longer capable of carrying the load as a lead back, that doesn’t mean Gore doesn’t have anything to offer. For one, he isn’t likely to command much in a new contract and the Lions aren’t looking for someone to come in and take over. They just need someone who can come in and reliably add to the mix. Gore can do that, in a limited capacity, with his all-around skill set.
Gore’s bigger contribution to the Lions could be off the field as a veteran presence in an otherwise pretty young running back room.
Bob Quinn has stated a desire to shake up the running back group from last year but the way they have approached free agency suggests the biggest impact will come through the draft. There is a deep group of backs projected to go in the top half of the 2018 NFL Draft and the Lions would do well to come away with one of them.
Next: Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft
Gore’s contract with the Colts will officially expire at 4 p.m. today when the new league year begins. Teams are free to sign their own free agents at any time but must wait until the new league year to make deals with outside free agents official.