Theo Riddick remains a valuable insurance policy for the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are finally not the place where NFL running backs disappear. The Lions are poised to have a terrific running game in 2019 led by Kerryon Johnson & bruiser C.J Anderson. Theo Riddick’s name continues to surface as being a prime candidate to be cut by the team, but should he?

Most of the time we hate paying for insurance because much of the time we never need to call upon it, but when you need it, it’s sure nice to have it. The same goes for Theo Riddick and the Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions will save $3.66 million if they decide to release their veteran primary pass-catching back Theo Riddick. Riddick is in the final year of his contract that contributes to $4.625 million against the team salary cap this season. The Detroit Lions replaced Blount with C.J Anderson (an upgrade), they’ve drafted Ty Johnson out of Maryland in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft, 186th overall.

The Lions still have Zach Zenner who is a capable third/fourth option and a valuable special teamer, a place Anderson, in particular, has no value. Usually, teams shy away from having a starting running back chasing down punt returners on punt coverage, so rule Johnson out as well. Riddick remains a valuable back up punt returner to Jamal Agnew but likely won’t be used in the role unless an injury occurs.

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For several years, the Detroit Lions became a running back graveyard up until this offseason. General Manager Bob Quinn & head coach Matt Patricia tried to wring out as much production as they could from LeGarrette Blount; it didn’t go well last year for the veteran back as he was only able to rumble for 418 yards on 154 totes for an average of 2.7 yards a carry and totaled 5 touchdowns.

We don’t have time to name them all, but Reggie Bush had an excellent season in 2013 with the Lions before becoming invisible in his final three seasons of his career between Detroit, San Francisco, and Buffalo.

The Detroit Lions had high hopes for Kevin Smith, Kevin Jones, Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, & Ameer Abdullah. At the end of the day, Kerryon Johnson will be a better back than all of these former Lions combined.

Theo Riddick is a valuable weapon for the Detroit Lions in the passing game, he’s not exactly an NFL starting running back, but he’s a valuable third option. The Detroit Lions recently traded away Golden Tate and replaced him with Danny Amendola. While Tate is much better than Amendola, Danny serves a purpose running those inside crossing routes. Tate was so productive after the catch, Amendola is a sure-handed receiver but doesn’t become a kick returner as Tate did after the catch.

This is where Theo Riddick can help the Detroit Lions fill the void Tate has left behind in the offense. Riddick struggled last year to create any separation after the catch like he’d been known to do in the past. I believe the new complement of offensive weapons will work in his favor this season, he may become forgotten by defenses as they turn their focus to others. Plus imagine James & Hockenson blocking downfield for Riddick or Johnson after the catch–much better than Wilson and company last season.

Riddick shouldn’t line up as a wide-out every time he’s on the field but when he does — if Matt Stafford can find him matched up against a linebacker he needs to be targeted. Riddick can make people miss in the open field, he can do damage after the catch and would compliment T.J Hockenson, Jesse James, & Danny Amendola very well working those intermediate passing routes. Riddick can also run the ball to keep the defense honest mainly if the Lions spread out the defense with a four-wide set and then running the ball against a dime defense. It would be interesting to see both Johnson & Riddick on the field at the same time in certain sets.

Next. Chances of a breakout year for the running game in 2019. dark

I expect Kerryon Johnson to catch a lot of balls this season as well, but Riddick remains the best pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Last season he reeled in 61 balls totaling 384 yards. As we’ve mentioned he’s in the final year of his deal so why not see what he can do under the guidance of newly appointed offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell? Riddick is an insurance policy, but if Ty Johnson emerges during the Detroit Lions preseason, it could make Riddick expendable allowing the Detroit Lions the opportunity to spend that $3.66 million elsewhere.

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