Running back is an interesting position of need for the Detroit Lions. With Kerryon Johnson, Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson all returning from the team’s most successful rushing attack since 2013, there are pieces in place for building on the relative success.
Adding another rusher to the committee makes sense for GM Bob Quinn and the Lions. Kerryon Johnson has serious durability concerns, and both Scarbrough and Ty Johnson have more role-specific skills than all-purpose ability in the NFL.
Here is one RB for each round, with one notable exception, for the Lions to consider in the 2020 NFL Draft.
First round
None. Zilch. Nada. There is not a running back worthy of consideration for the Lions in the first round, not even a trade up to No. 32. Drafting a running back in the first round is wasteful, which is why most mock drafts these days don’t project a single RB to go to any team in the first round. There simply is not perceived value in taking one so high in the NFL anymore.
As a consequence of the widely-held belief, the top running backs all get pushed down and make the second and third rounds richer at RB.
Second round: Cam Akers, Florida State
In the unlikely event the Lions take a running back in the second round, there are some appealing options. The best value of those options would be Seminole sledgehammer Cam Akers.
Akers thrives on between-the-tackles runs but has the bounce and acceleration to make a cut and break it outside. His balance through contact and ability to maximize poorly-blocked runs are the best of the backs considered here. Akers is a decent receiver and pass protector, too. His significantly lower workload than Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins is appealing. Akers also has a higher rate of forcing missed tackles.
The 35th pick is too early for Akers — or any RB for the Lions, for that matter — but a trade bringing an extra pick later in the round would make the impressive 5-10, 217-pounder a good fit in Detroit.
Third round: Zack Moss, Utah
Moss is a good, old-fashioned slobberknocker between the tackles. At 5-9 and a powerful 223 pounds, Moss plays like a violent pinball on inside runs. But he has some nuance to his runs and can contribute as a receiver, too.
At the combine, Moss compared himself to Marshawn Lynch. It’s easy to see the similarities. Like Lynch, he runs with attitude and conviction, not afraid of contact. He’s not as top-end fast or quick laterally as Lynch was for Seattle, however. There are also fumble and injury concerns that come with Moss, which is why he’s not really a viable consideration above the third round.
Fourth round: A.J. Dillon, Boston College
Dillon is one of the three RBs in the draft class who meet all the athletic testing thresholds that Quinn has looked for, as detailed in the Quinn-Influenced Benchmarks (QIB) compiled by Lions Wire’s Erik Schlitt.
At Boston College, Dillon proved he can slam through a crease effectively. He’s very difficult to tackle with his blend of power, lower-body strength and impressive forward lean. Once he gets rolling forward, he stays north-south very effectively. His second-level speed and balance through contact are major assets.
Dillon doesn’t have much in the way of lateral wiggle and he’s not an asset in the passing game. A high workload (almost 850 carries in 3 years) and his physical style lead to long-term durability concerns, but in the fourth round it’s a perfectly acceptable risk for the Lions.
Fifth round: Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State
I recently profiled Evans and his strengths and weaknesses. He’s a personal favorite and this is the range where I prefer the Lions address the RB position. His ability to handle the full range of duties like Kerryon Johnson currently does for the Lions makes him a very good value and fit. Like Dillon, Evans is one of the three QIB-qualifying backs in this class.
Sixth round: James Robinson, Illinois State
Robinson was wildly productive for the Redbirds, showing a full range of skills at the FCS level. He’s more limited at what he offers to the NFL with his low top-end speed (4.64 in the 40). Robinson has really good vision and smart, quick reactions to defenders, able to set up blocks and string together moves.
One area where Robinson really shines is pass protection. For my money, he’s the best RB in class at blitz pickup and attacking pass rushers. He has soft hands and reliably makes the first tackler miss once he catches the ball.
Seventh round: LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan
Bellamy thrives as a cutback runner who can instantly accelerate when he sees the hole. Though he’s small (5-9/192) he reliably finishes runs and can drop the shoulder at the second level. The ability to accelerate through contact is evident and makes arm tackles or dives at his feet look silly.
His combine 40 time of 4.5 was much slower than he consistently demonstrated for the Broncos. Bellamy changes gears well but too often stalls out waiting for the hole to develop. He does offer potential as a kick returner, too.
