Can Ameer Abdullah Replace Reggie Bush as Lions' Explosive Back?

The Detroit Lions used the 54th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft to select Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah, an electric playmaker who figures to be an ideal replacement for the departed Reggie Bush as Detroit's next big-play threat. 

Bush, who played two years in Detroit and scored nine touchdowns, was released by the Lions in February.

In Abdullah, Detroit has found the kind of dynamic, game-breaking player the Lions offense needs to replace Bush's production and complement Joique Bell. 

Over 53 career games at Nebraska, Abdullah rushed for 4,588 yards and 39 touchdowns. He added 73 catches and seven receiving touchdowns in the passing game. During his final two seasons, he accumulated 3,802 total yards and 33 scores. 

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report ranked Abdullah—the fourth running back to come off the board—as his sixth-best player at the position in a loaded 2015 class. 

"Ameer Abdullah is a small, shifty back with great speed and the best hands of any back in the class," Miller wrote. "Abdullah plays much faster than his tested time (4.53 per scouts at his pro day) and jumps off the film as a creative runner."

As senior, Abdullah rushed for 200 or more yards four times. He also produced six total games with a play over 45 yards. 

The 5'9", 205-pound dynamo was a hit on and off the field. 

"He has the highest overall character grade I've ever given to a prospect, and includes both football character and off-the-field," an AFC North scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. "Aside from (Melvin) Gordon and (Todd) Gurley, I think he's the third best running back in this draft." 

Zierlein compared Abdullah to Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington. 

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

	G	Att.	Yards	TD	Rec	Yards
2011	13	42	150	1	1	11
2012	14	226	1137	8	24	178
2013	13	281	1690	9	26	232
2014	13	264	1611	19	22	269
Totals	53	813	4588	39	73	690

Detroit's newest addition will now attempt to replace the big plays that Bush provided when healthy. Over 25 games, Bush produced 14 plays over 20 yards, including a 77-yard receiving touchdown in 2013. He put up 1,006 rushing yards and 54 receptions in 2013, his best season in Detroit. 

Abdullah's combine performance suggests he's physically capable of filling the former Trojan's shoes. 

While his 40-yard dash of 4.60 seconds was disappointing, he blew away every other drill. He finished with top marks among running backs in the vertical leap (42.5"), bench press (24), broad jump (130.0"), three-cone drill (6.79 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (3.95 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.18 seconds).  

One scout told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he liked Abdullah over Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, who went No. 15 overall. His NFL comparison was a former rushing champion. 

"I think he has more of a chance than Gordon," the scout said. "He's like LeSean McCoy. He can break you down and make you miss. He can beat a linebacker one on one. He needs more work in pass pro."

Another scout compared Abdullah to Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard. 

"Bernard's really tough in a spread offense on screens, draws and receiver stuff in space," the second scout said, per McGinn. "Abdullah will be the same thing. He runs excellent routes, has great ball skills and instincts." 

Bernard has totaled 1,375 rushing yards and 99 catches over his first two seasons in Cincinnati. The Bengals have used him in a complementary role, much like the Lions will likely do with their new toy.  

Production in the passing game will be required. Bush caught 94 passes during his two seasons in Detroit. Abdullah averaged 24 over his final three seasons. Zierlein noted that the Nebraska product didn't drop a single pass from 2013 on, a period in which he caught 48 passes. 

The biggest worries for Abdullah are ball security and pass protection. He fumbled 13 times over four years and often looked overwhelmed while blocking. But both areas are correctable, especially for a physically dominant player like Abdullah. 

If the Lions can improve his ability to hold on to the football and block for the quarterback, Abdullah has the chance to be one of the most productive and explosive offensive players taken in the 2015 draft. 

The Lions needed a running back to replace Bush and pair with Bell. The ultra-athletic, hyper-productive Abdullah appears to be the ideal addition to check off both boxes.  

Zach Kruse covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2