Detroit Lions: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Running Back
Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has quietly built a roster stocked with talent at almost every position. While the running backs don't have a top tier worthy of elite status, they do have a stable of backs that complement each other quite well.
The three main backs each have their specialty niche. Together, they can handle any duty offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi dreams up, with some crossover between the two top dogs.
The back of the depth chart doesn't provide the same certainty, but it will bring an interesting battle that will be hotly contested until the final cuts. Additionally, the Lions recently worked out free agents Ben Tate and Daniel Thomas, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, although neither would provide a significant boost to the ground game.
Therefore, we won't include them here. Click through for a thorough review of Detroit's running backs and how they currently sit on the depth chart.
The Challengers
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The Lions signed three backs this offseason, but all of the focus will be on Zach Zenner come training camp.
The former South Dakota State star will be a fan favorite from the beginning because of his skill and determined running style. Plus, his three consecutive 2,000-yard seasons in college lend him a credibility the other suitors lack.
Justin Rogers of MLive.com put together an excellent film-study article on Zenner that broke down his skills with detailed analysis and GIFs. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the former Jackrabbit. Here's a snippet that paints the broad strokes of Zenner's game:
"Zenner ran mostly out of the spread and from the I-formation at South Dakota State, where they used zone-blocking schemes as well as power plays up the gut. He fits the Lions mold as a decisive, one-cut, north-south runner.
Zenner consistently shows the patience to allow blocks to develop, and the vision to find seams in the defense. Though he often plays at one speed once he makes his initial read, Zenner is excellent behind the line of scrimmage at taking small, quick steps to set up the play before bursting through the hole.
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Desmond Martin and Rasheed Williams will be the other contenders. Martin (6'0", 221 lbs) is Wayne State's all-time leading rusher, and Williams is the runt of the group at 6'1" and 215 pounds. The overwhelming odds put Zenner far ahead of these two, so barring something incredible, these two will be fighting to make the practice squad.
4. George Winn
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George Winn will be fighting off Zach Zenner not only for the fans' affection, but also for the roster spot he worked so hard to get last preseason.
That time must seem like a dream to Winn now. He was the hard-charging undrafted free agent who ran like he was mad at the world, and the crowd loved him for it. He was the Maximus of his own Gladiator movie.
Winn rode that wave of adoration to a seat at the table. His play on special teams (three tackles) helped secure his role and could be the key to keeping it over Zenner.
It's likely that whichever running back wins out won't be rewarded with carries unless there is a rash of injuries. Winn earned only 73 yards on 19 carries last season despite Reggie Bush's seemingly constant injury woes. With the sturdier Ameer Abdullah in the fold, there should be even less spillover.
3. Theo Riddick
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Theo Riddick is a mystery wrapped around a running back.
The former sixth-rounder hasn't proven himself to be dangerous on the ground. He doesn't charge down the field when he cuts and needs space to be effective.
And the coaching staff acknowledged that last year. He played 119 more snaps than George Winn and garnered exactly one more carry. He rewarded the Lions for their faith with a 2.6-yard average, which was 1.2 fewer yards per carry than Winn.
And he could see even fewer carries with Ameer Abdullah's arrival. Instead, he'll be asked to put defensive coordinators in uncomfortable positions, like figuring out which linebacker will be burned by the backfield's best receiver. As Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News recently illustrated, Riddick is picking up right where he left off in that department:
"Theo Riddick looked really good today. Tough to compare with Bell and Abdullah out, but he was shifty, quick and sure-handed.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 27, 2015"
Riddick isn't much of a running back. He is a very talented move-around guy who is deadly in the two-minute drill and other obvious passing situations. That's enough to warrant the third-string spot.
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2. Ameer Abdullah
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There's no question who the most exciting running back will be this year.
The Lions added Ameer Abdullah in the second round to give them the element of explosion they haven't had since the second Chicago game of 2013. Reggie Bush had the goods, but rarely was he healthy enough to flash them, unless the Bears were on the other sideline.
Conversely, Abdullah is a renowned workout warrior. He won multiple "Lifter of the Year" trophies at Nebraska, per the school's website, and displays a strong vertical propulsion that won't lend itself to sidestepping himself out of positive gains.
And scary things happen when he combines that strength with his burst and vision:
".@Ameerguapo was a joy to watch run. Like to run yourself? Sign up for #BTNBig10K http://t.co/6oQYlNW3H1 #RunWithBTN http://t.co/hVAXTaAG0l
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 3, 2015"
The former Husker is arguably the most complete back on the roster and presents the biggest all-around danger. Plus, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi can deploy him with either Theo Riddick or Joique Bell in the same backfield, creating a plethora of play-calling options.
1. Joique Bell
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In his fourth year with the club, Joique Bell is officially the man. Even if he isn't sold on the idea of being the unquestioned starter, he's now the longest tenured running back heading into training camp and has the inside track on the top job.
But Bell isn't on the tier of the other NFC North starting running backs. His 3.9-yard average the last two years proves he's a sturdy banger who lacks that explosive element coaches and fans crave. Instead, Bell is a guy who loves to finish runs, as Cortland Finnegan found out last season:
"#Joiquernaught RT @JasonSmithSV: More of this this season @JoiqueBell Runs Right Through Cortland Finnegan #Lions https://t.co/XU771hgojt 🏈
— A WILK (@C_O_D_) June 9, 2015"
Running over Finnegan isn't a memorable achievement in and of itself. However, it's indicative of his tough running style. Notice he maintained his momentum and kept his legs moving forward and in bounds. That's what Bell brings to the table.
He's never had a 100-yard game and won't without at least 20 carries. But he'll get you four to five yards a pop behind a power-based offensive line, which should set up the rest of the offense just fine.
All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.
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