NFC North 2018 running back power rankings: Detroit Lions in the middle
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions running backs
LeGarrette Blount is the most accomplished running back on the Lions roster, and he has the best recent track record. In 2017, for the Philadelphia Eagles, Blount racked up 766 rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry. Many have said based on his size alone that Blount would be the Lions short yardage back, but I covered the reasons that is unlikely in an earlier article. Suffice it to say that he is just not good at it. Blount has had one season of significant success in short yardage situations, and a terrible career outside of that.
Blount is yardage churner between the tackles though. He will likely command the bulk of the team’s carries in half or more of the games this season. Think of him like a closer coming out of the bullpen. When the team gets a lead, he comes in and runs into loaded boxes with a high success rate. More of Blount’s yards have come in the fourth quarter of games than any other. He has almost a half yard per carry more in the final quarter of games. Leading with under four minutes to go Blount averages 5.1 yards per carry. Like I said, he’s a closer.
Theo Riddick‘s role on the team is unquestioned. he is a passing down specialist that brings nothing to the table between the tackles as a runner. He is incredibly dangerous in space but limp as a noodle in traffic. Riddick has received 67 or more targets in each of the last three seasons, but he is unlikely to ever reach the plateau of 99 targets and 80 receptions he hit in 2015. You can also think of Riddick as a relief pitcher, but he comes in when the team is losing. nearly 38% of Riddick’s targets have come in the fourth quarter of games. his second biggest target quarter is the second. When the Lions are in a two-minute drill, Riddick is in the game.
Kerryon Johnson is the most intriguing running back in the division. He was the Lions second-round draft pick this year and running back coach David Walker has been quoted saying he is a “three-down-player.” He will get an opportunity, but what he does with it is anyone’s guess. Johnson is likely to start a lot, but cede snaps to the veterans above later in games until he proves himself as a reliable commodity. He has an extensive injury report as well but has played through them for the most part.
Ameer Abdullah is Detroit’s forgotten man. He lost 2016 to a listfranc injury in his foot and returned as a shell of himself in 2017. If he can return to form, he is the second best option that the Lions have in virtually any situation. There is no guarantee of that, however. In fact, with the type of injury Abdullah had, it is not likely at all. Abdullah may never be an every-down player, but I would take him over the fourth running back of any other team in the NFC North. Last year he was the lead back of the committee. This year there are questions about whether he will even make the team.
The Lions have two veterans with proven high-level ability in their roles. They have a highly touted rookie. They have the best depth at the position in the NFC North, and that is why they rank second in my power rankings.