With David Montgomery exiting that game early due to a rib injury and Jahmyr Gibbs missing the Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a hamstring injury, the Detroit Lions are struggling at running back. Although the length of Montgomery’s absence is unknown, he is expected to miss some time and may become a candidate for the IR.
The Lions, who were reticent to give Jahmyr Gibbs that job early in the season, may find it challenging to replace Montgomery’s output as the early-down and goalline back over the coming weeks. Given the number of injuries in Detroit’s backfield and the recent placement of Zonovan Knight on injured reserve, it seems likely that the team will look to the free agent market to add some depth at the running back position, even if Gibbs is able to recover fully and carry the load.
Here are three running backs in free agency who Detroit should consider pursuing.
Leonard Fournette is the top target for a free-agent running back.
The Lions’ finest free-agent acquisition would be Leonard Fournette, a.k.a. Lombardi Lenny, who would provide Jared Goff reliable hands out of the backfield and championship experience. While Montgomery has been used nearly exclusively as a rusher (94 carries to 6 receptions), the Lions may find it advantageous in the short and long terms to acquire a seasoned professional who could step in for Montgomery as a workhorse or Jahmyr Gibbs as a passing down specialist.
Despite having a large frame and the ability to gain yards in between the tackles, Fournette can also catch, pass block, and run. Even if Fournette’s explosiveness has diminished, Tom Brady clearly trusted him and relied on him as a safety net. Fournette recorded 73 receptions last year, and no other free agent will possess the passing game skills he possesses.
The best-case scenario for Dan Campbell and Detroit is to get an experienced running back with the ability to play both positions, making Fournette the obvious top choice in free agency.
Second target for a free-agent running back is Benny Snell.
Craig Reynolds defeated Benny Snell to earn the third running back position on the regular season roster after Snell spent the preseason with the Lions running backs. Snell is still young enough (25) to have plenty of energy left in his legs, but getting someone who is familiar with the playbook and strategies and will require very little coaching could be an efficient approach to handle David Montgomery’s likely absence. Snell’s career average of barely 3.6 yards per attempt was a result of Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
Running behind an offensive line that has undergone a significant improvement, Snell might deliver some nice value and enable the Lions to continue without having to acclimate anyone. If continuity is important, Snell is a strong choice to supplement Gibbs and/or Reynolds’ work while requiring fewer carries for the remaining distance.
Unemployed RB Target No. 3: Exchange rather
A 7th round pick or a late exchange wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially if the running back had some versatility and could contribute in other areas. However, the internet would erupt if the Lions used any draft resources on additional running backs. Enter Cordarrelle Patterson, a running back, kick returner, and wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons who has been out of the usual rotation due to Bijan Robinson’s stay in the city.
A chance to play in the Super Bowl should be given to Patterson, a veteran who is at the end of his career. His present inability to assist Atlanta makes a trade to Detroit an intriguing destination. Over the past two seasons, Patterson has developed into a viable goal-line danger at running back, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. He can push the pile with the support of his large frame (6 feet 2 inches, 220 pounds), and he is explosive in the wide field.
In a perfect world, the Lions wouldn’t require Patterson in the long run, but if everyone in Detroit’s backfield is healthy again, Patterson makes sense as a special teams or gadget-type guy as well as a goalline replacement for David Montgomery
Picking up C-Patt from the Falcons would be a great fit for the Lions running backs to hold down the fort while everyone else gets healthy during the toughest part of the regular season schedule if the team doesn’t choose to go with the best player available in free agency (Leonard Fournette) or a player who is familiar with the system (Benny Snell).
