RB Roschon Johnson Listed as Day 3 'Fit' for Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions could be in the market for a running back during this April's NFL Draft.
Yet, addressing the position is not expected to be a top priority for Detroit general manager Brad Holmes.
Remember, earlier this offseason, the team signed former Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery to replace Jamaal Williams. Montgomery is expected to handle the Lions' No. 1 back duties, while D'Andre Swift is projected to be Montgomery's backup.
Subsequently, Holmes & Co. are not likely to spend a pick on a running back on either Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft. Instead, it is most likely the organization adds a player to its backfield with one of its four total picks in rounds five and six.
If the above indeed becomes the strategy that Detroit's front office deploys to upgrade its running backs room, Texas Longhorns back Roschon Johnson would be a great Day 3 target, according to Pro Football Focus' Michael Renner.
Texas Longhorns running back Roschon Johnson
Mikala Compton, American-Statesman, USA TODAY NETWORK
In fact, Renner listed the Longhorns product as an ideal Day 3 team-player fit for the Lions.
For the past three seasons, Johnson served as the primary backup to Bijan Robinson, the consensus No. 1 back in this year's draft class.
While Robinson was busy stealing all the headlines in 2022, Johnson, standing in at 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, quietly put together a productive campaign himself. He rushed 93 times for 554 yards and five touchdowns, and contributed another 128 yards and a touchdown as a pass-catcher. For his efforts, he was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference's coaches.
As Renner writes, "Johnson is a physical, between-the-tackles runner that the Lions need with Jamaal Williams gone. The Texas back broke tackles at a higher rate than anyone in the country last season."
Johnson is an instinctual and patient back who lets his offensive line create a running lane for him, before hitting the hole with a full head of steam. And, once he gets through the hole, his physical nature allows him to consistently break tackles and run through defenders.
He isn't the home-run threat that Robinson is every single time he touches the ball. However, Johnson, with his size and power combo plus high-level instincts, still possesses the potential to develop into a solid NFL back.
If drafted by Detroit, Johnson would immediately compete with Craig Reynolds for the No. 3 running back job. He'd also serve as a competent backup to Montgomery, if Swift were to go down with injury.
If I were Holmes, I'd strongly consider taking the Texas back with a Day 3 pick.
