Examining the Lions’ Running Back Situation

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

The Detroit Lions have suddenly found themselves with three running backs in a competition for the starting role. Joique Bell was the starter last season for the Lions, but now the decision is up in the air, as Ameer Abdullah came to town. Abdullah, drafted in the second round, has been impressive during the rookie minicamp. However, even with these two stars, Theo Riddick also makes a case to be the guy for the Lions. With the departure of Reggie Bush, and drafting guard Laken Tomlinson in the first round, the Lions are getting serious about their rushing game, and are going to decide which back gives them the best shot at winning.

Joique Bell:

Bell took over the starting role last season, and found the majority of the carries. Bell rushed for 860 yards on 223 carries, and found the end zone seven times. He is a hard runner, and thrives when he receives contact from defenders. Bell finished 15th in the league for rushing yards, but finished 30th in the league for yards per carry. He ran for 3.9 yards per carry last season, and that is a big reason why he may not be the starter for the Lions last season.

Bell has grown accustomed to the Lions rushing game, and is a good fit, but as his workload has been increasing, his performance isn’t where the Lions need their running back to be. Bell is the favorite for the position, but if he doesn’t put up the numbers they want, they have other options to manage the running game.

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Ameer Abdullah:

Abdullah has found his NFL home with the Detroit Lions, following the 2015 NFL draft. Abdullah was a dynamic threat for the Nebraska Cornhuskers last season, as he rushed for 1611 yards, and ran for 19 touchdowns last season. Abdullah was one of the highly ranked running back prospects, and he earned every bit of that ranking. In addition, Abdullah was a decorated player at Nebraska, as he won the Senior class award, and was named Senior Bowl MVP last January.

Abdullah had a stat that stands out, he ran for 6.1 yards per carry. That is roughly two more yards per carry than Bell, keep in mind the difference in talent level from college to the NFL. That stat is what propels Abdullah’s starting chances.

Recently, Abdullah had stated that he can be “an every down back” in the NFL, and he is ready to prove it. If you are an NFL team, then you do not draft a highly coveted running back second round, and not have a plan for him. Abdullah is a workhorse, and has made several cases to be the guy for the Lions, and take the starting role.

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Theo Riddick:

Riddick is another man hoping for a shot as the Lions starter. Riddick isn’t necessarily the front runner for the starting role, but he does occupy a “dark horse” position. Riddick came through for the Lions during week 10’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins, when he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Matt Stafford, with only 29 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter.

Ever since, Riddick has found many opportunities with the offense. He recorded 51 rushing yards on 20 carries, and 316 receiving yards on 34 receptions. The receiving stats are a big help to his case, but like Joique Bell, his yards per carry are just don’t cut it. He rushed for only 2.6 yards per carry. Many view Riddick to be Bush’s replacement, a pass-catching back.

It is true he didn’t get as much of an opportunity, but I think that his stats just don’t compete with Abdullah and Bell. Even if Riddickk is not the starter, he will still be a factor for the Lions offense.