The Detroit Lions’ struggle with the run game is the worst kept secret in the NFL. That makes fixing the run game one of Bob Quinn’s most important tasks this offseason.
Unfortunately, the run game is not the only hole Quinn has to patch up this offseason. With a need on the defensive line, the Lions will have to choose wisely on what to help with their first-round draft pick. Yes, they can get help at both positions via free agency but the draft is the draft.
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Now a couple months out from the draft, NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper thinks he knows what route the Lions will take. In Kiper’s most recent edition of his mock draft, he has your Detroit Lions taking Leonard Fournette’s apprentice, Derrius Guice, a running back out of LSU.
Mel Kiper had this to say about this selection.
“This is a spot to watch for a rising pass-rusher, but Detroit would be thrilled with the No. 2 running back on the board. Guice is a true every-down back, which Matthew Stafford has never had in his career. Ameer Abdullah averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in 2017, while Theo Riddick is more of a versatile pass-catcher. Guice had 26 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he looked every bit as good for the Tigers as Leonard Fournette did in 2016. I also like the fit for USC running back Ronald Jones II and Detroit, so he’s another option as the second back to be drafted.”
Guice had some impressive numbers down in the bayou so it would be hard to pass him up here. He totaled 13 touchdowns and over 1,300 total yards this past season for LSU. However, this is considered to be the one of the deepest running back classes in recent memory and remember that Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt were drafted in the mid rounds last year.
The other side to this is that this is considered to be one of the weakest defensive line classes. Which makes you wonder why the Lions wouldn’t try to grab one of the few good defensive linemen in the first round and then hit on a running back in a later round. However, the Lions have tried this route rather unsuccessfully, the latest being Ameer Abdullah.
Another thing to keep in mind is the men in charge of this draft pick. If Quinn and Matt Patricia follow anything similar to the Patriots blueprint they will stay in the trenches with at least the first pick. So as nice as a prize first-round running back would look in the Honolulu Blue, I wouldn’t get your hopes up. But just in case you still like the thought of it here are some of Guice’s highlights from LSU.
https://twitter.com/canuckbuc/status/936453472492199937
I’d be seriously happy with Kerryon Johnson from Auburn !
The Lions are in need of line help , both defense and offense , especially now that Ngata is going to the eagles , so I would expect them to take linemen in their first round picks and a running back in the second round , hopefully some of this deep draft at running back will still afford the Lions to come away with a respectable back , but it does not matter how good the back is , if the line is not capable of creating routes or openings then they stay where they are and that would be a major failure . Then you have to look at how they are going to repair the damage done by Ngata leaving , this was the problem last season when he went on IR , the Lions did not have anyone capable of the tasks done by Ngata and they still don’t , yet.
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