Should the Detroit Lions Sign Running Back Jay Ajayi?

The Detroit Lions have struggled to run the football this season, should they consider bringing in Jay Ajayi?

Jay Ajayi was sidelined the majority of last season due to an ACL tear in week five of last season while a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Eagles since have filled the void with Jordan Howard who they were essentially gifted in a trade from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this past NFL Draft.  With the Detroit Lions having quickly given up on C.J Anderson, maybe they should consider signing Jay Ajayi to a cheap one-year deal.

There are plenty of teams that could certainly use the 26-year old back, but his history of a chronic knee issue plus coming off of a calendar year removed from the game rehabbing the torn & repaired ACL will undoubtedly limit the phone calls to his agent. He should still find a home reasonably quick, but whoever does sign him, it comes with that injury risk.

Ajayi isn’t a back that can come in an be ‘the guy’ because, in fact, he’s only proved to be ‘the guy’ for one season in his career–back in 2016. The Miami Dolphins drafted Jay with the 149th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.  He only logged 187 yards on 49 carries in his rookie year.  It was during his second year in the league that he exploded onto the scene galloping for 1272 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry scoring 8 times on the ground.  That same season would also mark his career-high with 27 catches for 158 yards.

Since then Ajayi has continually regressed each of the last two seasons. Last year isn’t much of an indication, but he followed up his career year with 873 yards on 208 carries between Miami and Philly.  Last year he was averaging 4.1 yards a tote before the torn knee.

Yesterday Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Jay Ajayi is fully healed and informed all 32 teams he’s looking for a contract.

So why not Detroit?  The Detroit Lions recently claimed Paul Perkins off of waivers from the New York Giants signaling the end for Anderson.  Perkins was a scratch last week in Philadelphia, leaving the Lions with Kerryon Johnson, Ty Johnson, and J.D. McKissic.

I feel Ajayi would be an upgrade to both Perkins and McKissic. McKissic is a more of a gimmick back who excels at catching the football.  After playing in offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s system as a member of the Seattle Seahawks his roster spot is safe.

If the Detroit Lions see an opportunity to land Ajayi, I believe it would be in favor of Perkins.  I do feel Jay would be able to help this Detroit Lions rushing attack, especially in between the tackles.  Granted, it would have to be in a limited role.  There is nothing wrong with having three capable backs behind Kerryon Johnson, especially if all three excel at different attributes.