Detroit Lions: Todd Gurley can bring some depth and value to the backfield
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions are set to welcome veteran running back Todd Gurley into the facility for a visit per ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Perhaps the former 10th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft will reunite with his old friend Jared Goff in Detroit.
Free-agent RB Todd Gurley is in Detroit today to visit with the Lions, per source. If he were to sign with Detroit, Gurley would be reunited with Jared Goff and be in the backfield with another former Georgia standout, D'Andre Swift.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 27, 2021
Gurley spent five seasons with the Rams organization after being selected high in the draft but spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Playing in Atlanta became somewhat of a homecoming for the two-time All-Pro knowing he spent his college days running the rock for the Georgia Bulldogs.
With the Falcons in 2020, Gurley rushed for 678 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 totes.
This news may come as a bit of a surprise to some understanding the Detroit Lions are expected to feature second-year runner D’Andre Swift followed by recently signed Jamaal Williams, who general manager Brad Holmes added in free agency.
Gurley isn’t the same player he once was, and those knees of his seem to be on borrowed time, but he’s a veteran that can be exceptionally valuable as a third-string running back. Gurley’s knee issue stems back to his college days when he suffered a torn ACL. That same knee now has arthritis, which has limited Gurley’s production over the past two seasons.
The soon-to-be 27-year old still has tread left on his tires, but his days of being an RB1 are all but over. The obvious connection to Detroit other than Goff is GM Brad Holmes. Gurley certainly knows the first-year GM from their time with the Rams.
Gurley can help develop and aid the young stable of Detroit Lions’ running backs.
If signed, the six-year pro can continue where the future Hall Of Famer Adrian Peterson left off mentoring Swift.
Gurley is a 6-foot-1, 225-pound back who can have success running between the tackles and is also useful in the passing game.
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Through six seasons Gurley has amassed 6,082 rushing yards totaling 67 touchdowns. He’s also corralled 243 receptions good for 2,254 receiving yards while maintaining a reliable 72.3% catch rate and added an additional 12 touchdowns.