10 Running Backs for Lions to Watch at NFL Scouting Combine
The Detroit Lions have D’Andre Swift returning, but there are decisions to be made beyond him at the running back position heading into the offseason.
How Detroit’s front office evaluates the value of Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike will go a long way toward shaping how they approach the running back position heading into the NFL Draft.
Should those backs not return, the Lions will have to target other options at the position.
Here are 10 backfield prospects for the Lions to pay attention to in the upcoming scouting combine.
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III
Michigan State struck gold in the transfer portal, adding Walker prior to the 2021 season. All he did was become a Heisman contender and help the team to its best record since it made the College Football Playoff in 2015.
Walker possesses breakaway speed, and is both quick and twitchy at the line of scrimmage, holding a burst that makes him slippery among defensive linemen and linebackers.
With Swift, the Lions don’t need to go big at running back, but it will still be interesting to see how the in-state prospect performs amongst his peers.
Iowa State’s Breece Hall
Hall will be contending with Walker for the top billing at the running back position in Indianapolis. He’s a three-down back who made a ton of things happen while playing for Matt Campbell at Iowa State.
The one downside with Hall is just how much he did in college, with over 800 touches to his name during his time with the Cyclones.
He’s big, physical and fast, and will be appealing to teams. It'll be tough for general managers to decide between him and Walker.
Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller
Spiller is another contender for top billing at the running back position heading into the combine. His skill set starts with his balance and ability to make quick cuts, moving away from defenders quickly.
He didn’t have a great 2021 season, and struggled at times with pass blocking. Despite this, many view him as one of the best available and see him as someone who can make an impact quickly. A good combine would strengthen his case for RB1 status.
Georgia’s James Cook
The brother of Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook, James Cook is a player who could be a solid second option in a team’s backfield. He is good with the ball in his hands, and has shown the ability to be a solid pass-catcher, which is appealing.
The Lions have to make decisions on a plethora of backups behind Swift, so Cook could easily factor into the equation, thanks to his dual-threat ability. The youngster projects as someone who could stick around in the league, so he’s an interesting evaluation for teams, like Detroit, who may be in the market for a backup.
Florida’s Dameon Pierce
Pierce is a smaller back, standing in at 5-foot-10. Yet, this means he has a low center of gravity, and is able to move quickly through the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t have as much hype as some of the other top prospects, but there’s clearly talent with him.
Pierce is another skilled receiving back who can get out and make catches. This is presumably what the Lions need in a backup, as he could be productive if and when Swift misses time. A solid showing in Indianapolis could move him quickly up draft boards.
Jonathan Dyer, USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams
Williams is a player who is set up to perform well in Indianapolis. He’s very quick, and could run very well at the combine.
However, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein profiles him as “more quick than explosive." So, there are concerns about how that skill will translate.
Williams can catch passes, and was leaned on heavily in Notre Dame’s offense. As a mid-round prospect, there’s a lot to like about the Fighting Irish’s bell-cow back.
North Dakota State’s Pierre Strong
A small-school prospect, Strong profiles as someone who could make a team very happy in the late rounds. In college, he had 10 touchdown runs of 50-plus yards, so there’s no disputing his big-play ability.
Strong needs to improve as a pass blocker and receiver, as production in both areas was hit-or-miss. This will hinder his value, but he’s another player who can start to put some of those concerning areas to rest with a good week at the combine.
Cincinnati's Jerome Ford
Ford’s college quarterback, Desmond Ridder, received a lot of the attention that came with the Bearcats’ historic run over the last two seasons.
However, Ford did a good job himself during that time. He carried the ball just 319 times at the college level, though, meaning there’s potential to be untapped.
He’s an appealing late-round option for a team like the Lions, so watching him at the combine will be interesting. How he performs in the short-distance shuttle and other change-of-direction drills will determine his overall status moving toward the draft.
Missouri’s Tyler Badie
A short, speedy runner, Badie had a phenomenal 2021 season at Missouri. He was one of the country’s top rushers, but went overlooked because of the Tigers’ underwhelming season. He has good vision that makes him dangerous, despite his unimposing stature.
Badie is another option that could catch Detroit’s eye in the later rounds. He could very well be overlooked as the draft moves along. So, he could be available when the Lions pick in the late rounds and have already addressed more pressing needs.
Florida International’s D’vonte Price
Price did it all for a struggling Panthers program over the last couple seasons. He ran for over 2,000 yards in his time in college, and also contributed as a pass-catcher. There is optimism for his talent, as he didn’t have a great supporting cast in college.
He profiles similar to Jefferson, who slipped to the seventh round in last year's draft before the Lions scooped him up. Price could make a bigger impact than that of Jefferson, who played sparingly in his first season. The Lions should pay close attention to this unheralded youngster.
