Detroit Lions Draft Preview RB

Lions have Kerryon, Bo, Ty Johnson, Wes Hills, Tra Carson and Nick Bawden on the roster. There is room to add a player from this draft. This RB class has a lot options in the middle and late rounds. Possible stars in day 2. I would not take a back until the day 3. Good rotational pieces will be there.

D'Andre Swift Georgia 5082 212 4.48 35.5" 1001 6.9 Top 40
Complete back. Blend of power, speed and balance. Can run you over or make you miss. Not a lot miles on him with a little over 500 touches. 440/2885/20 73/666/5 rec

Jonathan Taylor Wisconsin 5102 226 4.39 17 36" 910 7.01 4.24 6.9 Top 50
Pure runner. Power and breakaway speed. Lots of carries and a ball security issue are flaws.
41 g 926/6174/50 42/407/4 rec

Clyde-Edwards-Helaire LSU  5072 207 4.6 15 39.5" 1003 6.8 Top 50
Like tackling a fire hydrant. Breaks tackles every run. Good pass receiver. Not a burner but quick in small areas. 41 g 370/2103/23 69/595/1 rec

J.D. Dobbins Ohio State 5094 209 23 reps 6.8 2nd round
Powerful runner with good speed. Michigan fans are happy to see this guy go. Played well in the big games. Dropped a couple big passes in the Clemson game. 42 g 725/4459/38 71/645/5 rec

Cam Akers FSU 5103 217 4.47 20 35.5" 1002 4.42 6.5 2nd round
Underrated player. Carried FSU behind a poor O-line. Blend of power and speed. A steal in the 3rd round. 36 g 596/2874/27 69/486/7 rec

A.J. Dillon Boston College 6003 247 4.53 23 41" 1011 7.19 6.3 3rd round
My favorite RB in this draft. Big, powerful runner. Surprising burst and speed. Carried BC during his career. Has battled some injuries. 35 g 845/4382/38 21/236/2 rec

DeeJay Dallas Miami 5101 217 4.58 33.5"911 7.18 4.32 6.3 4th-5th round
I like this guy. Runs hard, bounces off tackles. Has enough speed to make big plays. Flipped on three tapes (Florida. FSU and Louisville). Good pass protector and feel in the screen game.
35 g 265/1527/17 28/317/2 rec

Antonio Gibson Memphis 6004 228 4.39 16 35"  910 6.3 4th round
Worked as a WR at the combine. Strong Senior Bowl showed he is a RB. Versatile athlete. Big play waiting to happen. Best football ahead of him. 19 g 33/369/4 44/834/10 rec

Zach Moss Utah 5093 223 4.65 19 33" 4.7 6.3 3rd round
PFF # 1 RB. Draws comparison to Marshawn Lynch. Lacks breakaway speed. Knee injury slowed him at the combine. 45 g 712/4067/38 66/685/3

Joshua Kelley UCLA 5105 214 4.49 23 31" 1001 6.95 4.28 6.2 5th round
Played for the North in the Senior Bowl. Really helped his stock at the game and the combine. Good # 3 back in the NFL. 43 g 647/3442/31 42/285/1 rec

Ke'Shawn Vaughn Vanderbilt 5094 214 4.51 34" 1003 5.9 5th Round
Solid back with good vision. Showed up at the Senior Bowl and raised his stock. 4.51 at the combine showed more speed than expected. Good receiver who help on special teams. 46 g 572/3296/30
66/468/3 rec

Darrynton Evans App State 5101 203 4.41 20 37" 1005 6.2 4th-5th round
Smooth, one cut runner. Patient than explosive. I liked his film vs.South Carolina. Good rotational back. 39 g 482/2884/25 39/319/6 rec 56/1439 KOR

Rico Dowdle South Carolina 5113 209 4.54 38"1007 6.2 5th round
Tough runner, breaks tackles. Shows good burst on his cuts. Injury problems will hurt his draft stock. His Alabama tape was really a good showcase for his toughness. Showed some burst at the Shrine game. 39 g 428/2167/16 62/483/3 rec

Michael Warren Cincinnati 5091 226 16 reps 6.2 5th round
Powerful runner. Runs thru tackles. Can catch the ball as well. Rotational back.
38 g 559/2918/34 51/442/3 rec

Eno Benjamin 500 207 4.57 12 39" 1002 6.97 4.25 6.2 5th round
Quick back. 3rd down back in the NFL. Good balance and moves. I like him in the open field.
35 g 576/2867/27 82/625/4 rec

Anthony McFarland Maryland 5081 208 4.44  29.5 908 6.2 4th round
Explosive, change up back. When healthy is a big play guy. In 2018, his Ohio State game was incredible. Needs to be a 10 touch guy. 23 g 245/1648/12 24/1991 rec.

James Robinson Illinois State 5090 219 4.64 24 40" 1005 7.03 6 5th round
Sledgehammer inside. Great Shrine game. Showed elusiveness in that game. I have seen top 100 grades on him. Rotational back. 46 g 797/4444/44 58/428/2 15/348 KR

Raymond Calasis Louisiana 5081 188 4.42 20 37.5 1000 6 5th round
Best player at the NFLPA All-Star game. Explosive speed. Excellent kick returner. Gadget guy or part of rotation he could make an impact. 236/1845/15 17/145 rec 99/2493/2 KOR

Javon Leake Maryland 6001 195 38.5" 904 6.1 6th round
Should have stayed in school but has big play potential. Part of a committee and as kick returner is where he make his name. 33 g 145/1144/17 10 /59 rec

Jet Anderson TCU 5104 208 4.61 19 36" 1008 4.19 5.9 5th/6th round
Good Senior Bowl week for the North. Very quick and hard to tackle. Not a burner but can be a quality receiver. 430/2418/18 43/224 rec

Scott Phillips Ole Miss 5082 207 4.56 29 30" 906 7.4 4.53 6th round
Bowling ball build and better speed than anticipated. NFLPA game help put him on the map. Runs thru tackles and could be a # 2 back in the NFL. 20 games 278/1470/17 18/182/3 rec

Levante Bellamy WMU 5084 191 4.5 15 39" 1005 5.9 7th round
Best player in the MAC last year. Good speed and shake. Good change up back and Kick returner
48g 617/3720/35 57/370/1 rec 19/358 KOR

JaMycal Hasty 5080 203 4.55 15 39" 1003 4.03 5.9 Free agent
Senior Bowl player for the North. Showed toughness near the goal line. Has a chance to be part of rotation and make a mark on special teams. 45g 386/1998/15 79/485/1 rec 16/333 KR

Lamichael Perine Florida 5106 216 4.62 22 35" 910 7.13 4.31 5.9 Free Agent
Good short yardage back. Can pass protect and catch the ball. Not dynamic or explosive. Showed well at the Senior Bowl and will get him a shot at a roster or practice squad.
50 g 493/2485/22 72/674/8 rec

Salvon Ahmed Washington 5107 197 4.62 34.5" 1000 Free Agent
Was supposed to the fastest RB in the draft, ran 4.62. Does not run strong. Decent receiver. Good moves and agility. 39 g 353/2016/21 50/331/0 rec

Reggie Corbin Illinois 5081 199 4.65 20 38 911 6.93 4.45 Free Agent
Ultra quick back. Make you miss guy. Could be a return man. Has to show receiving skills.
44 g 375/2361/18 38/343/0

Tavien Feaster South Carolina 5110 221 Free Agent
Transfer from Clemson. Strong runner. Not a burner. Can grind between the tackles. Can be part of a committee. 51 g 346/2002/20 40/270/1 rec

Brian Herrien Georgia 5112 209 4.62 18 38.5 1006 7.12 4.4
Made name at the NFLPA Bowl. Backup to many excellent back at Georgia. Can catch. # back in the NFL. 277/1413/13 28/167/2 rec

JJ Taylor Arizona 5052 185 4.61 19 35.5" 1003 7 4.15
Quick guy. Makes you miss in space. Small and lacks top speed. These guys have a knack of making a difference in the NFL. 587/3263/18 62/487/2 rec 41/988/1 KOR

Benny LeMay Charlotte 5083 222 4.75 24 34"1005
Tony Jones Notre Dame 5105 220 4.68 13 32.5" 911 7.18 4.21
Rodney Smith Minnesota 5100 210
Jason Huntley New Mexico State 5084 190 4.4 21 39.5" 1011 7.25 4.25 NFLPA
Patrick Taylor Memphis 6-14 217 4.57 15 34" 1003 4.34 Shrine Game
Christian Gibson New Mexico State 5113 206 4.57 24 39.5" 1005 7.4 4.39
Jon Ward CMU 5106 195 NFLPA
Artavis Pierce Oregon State 5096 209 4.47 16 906 7.22 4.38 NFLPA