Justin Forsett Agrees to Contract with Detroit Lions

Veteran running back Justin Forsett was one of the best options in free agency for teams looking to upgrade the position, and the Detroit Lions did just that on Tuesday.

Forsett confirmed on his Twitter account he had signed in Detroit after meeting with the team Monday, via a Sunday report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:

The Baltimore Ravens released Forsett on Oct. 4, the second time this year the team cut the back. Baltimore re-signed him just two days after his initial release before the season, but he lost his starting job to Terrance West and became expendable when rookie Kenneth Dixon returned from injury.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com wasn't surprised to see Forsett released:

"

This was an easy decision from a football standpoint. Forsett, 30, is no longer that elusive back who led the NFL with 17 runs of 20-plus yards in 2014. He couldn't break tackles or make the first defender miss, which is why he averaged 1.45 yards after contact (ranked 32nd in the NFL).

Time and time again, older running backs like Forsett are reminded that this is a young man's position. The difference in the Ravens' running game Sunday with Terrance West as the starter and Forsett on the bench was stark. West ran with determination and wore down the Raiders' defense in the second half. He also delivered the big plays that Forsett used to make.

"

While Forsett may no longer be the running back who rushed for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, he's certainly capable of adding quality depth to a backfield. He advocated his own skill set, humorously, on Twitter:

The Lions are certainly a team in need of depth at the position. They placed starter Ameer Abdullah on injured reserve in late September, and Dwayne Washington is dealing with foot and ankle injuries.

That leaves Theo Riddick—traditionally the team's third-down back and receiving threat out of the backfield—in the featured role and Zach Zenner as his backup. Running back has become a serious position of need for the Lions, and Forsett's experience and versatility would be much-needed assets in Detroit even if his days of shouldering the load as a workhorse back are in the past.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.