Detroit Lions mock draft 2018: A running back for every round

Round 6

The Lions don’t currently hold a pick in the sixth round (traded to the Rams for Greg Robinson) but that doesn’t mean they won’t end up acquiring one. Bob Quinn has stated a desire to add more picks and a sixth-round picks could be something he picks up in a trade-down situation further up the board. The Lions also have extra fifth and sixth round picks they could look to swap into a pick in this draft.

Arizona State’s Kalen Ballage is a later round running back prospect who carries some appeal. He also carries some question marks. Lance Zierlein gets at this conundrum in the overview section of his Ballage profile on NFL.com:

"Ballage looks great on the hoof and should test well at the Combine, but his lack of decisiveness and vision make it hard to envision him as a full-time RB1. Ballage can do a little of this and a little of that, but a team will need to have a clear-cut plan for how to use him. Ballage’s size and athletic ability will appeal to teams as will his ability to play on third downs and return kicks."

In some respects, Ballage looks like a poor man’s Rashaad Penny. The choice then becomes taking Penny in the top 100 or waiting to get a lesser version later on. If the draft plays out in such a way that the Lions find themselves unwilling or unable to draft a running back higher, they may find themselves looking for lesser versions of the top prospects later on.

While Bob Quinn has promised changes to the running back group, he doesn’t necessarily have to find himself an impact replacement for someone right away. With LeGarrette Blount signed to a one-year deal and Ameer Abdullah with a year remaining on his rookie contract, the Lions could choose to look beyond year one impact when making a selection. That kind of patient approach could benefit someone like Ballage.