Detroit Lions
You know your running game is in trouble when a rookie sits atop your depth chart entering the season. The Lions are hoping that second-round pick D’Andre Swift, who extended Georgia’s legacy of outstanding collegiate running backs, finally gives them stability at the position.
Following a solid rookie season, when he averaged 5.4 yards a carry, Kerryon Johnson struggled with the dreaded sophomore slump. Limited to eight games due to injury, Johnson averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt and faces a battle with Swift for touches.
Bo Scarbrough, yet another SEC back on Detroit’s roster, showed flashes last season when he gained 4.2 yards per rush, but beating out Swift and Johnson for snaps won’t be easy. Rookie Jason Huntley, who rushed for 1,090 yards and nine TDs for New Mexico State last season, and veteran Wes Hills rounds out the group.
Between Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl and Frank Ragnow, the Lions have some stability on their offensive line. But despite signing a five-year, $45 million deal to start at right tackle for Detroit, Halapoulivaati Vaitai remains a question mark. This group will have to keep Stafford upright so at the very least he’ll be able to hand off to the Lions’ bunch of backs.
