Earlier this week, the Detroit Lions announced they were placing RB Kerryon Johnson on Injured Reserve, which means he will miss AT LEAST the next eight weeks. That means Johnson, even if he is healthy sooner, cannot return to the field until Week 16.
That being said, even if Johnson does return in Week 16 and the Lions are in the hunt for a playoff spot, chances are he would not be in good enough shape to carry a full load.
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Around the NFL writer Jeremy Bergman recently wrote a piece in which he listed one Buy/Sell proposal for each NFC team and he has the Lions as buyers.
According to Bergman, the Lions should trade for Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. Bergman notes that trading for Gordon would likely cost the Lions a 2020 second-round draft pick.
From NFL.com:
Buy running back Melvin Gordon. With Kerryon Johnson heading to injured reservefor at least eight games, Detroit is left with just rookie Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic to pick up the back’s carries. That’s not going to do it in a competitive NFC North. Detroit should splurge for a half-year rental in Gordon, who has underperformed in Carson since returning from his ill-fated holdout, and use the back half of 2019 to see if he can carry in lieu of Kerryon. Potential compensation: 2020 second-round pick.
So, should the Lions trade for Gordon?
Absolutely not!
The only way you give up a second-round pick for Gordon is if you A) Think he is the only missing piece to a Super Bowl run this season (he is not) or B) You plan on breaking the bank to sign him to a long-term extension (which would be ignorant).
This is a passing league and overpaying for a running back should be a fireable offense at this point.
