Should Detroit Lions draft a running back in the 2012 NFL Draft
There is absolutely no question about it the Detroit Lions lack a running game to go with their strong passing offense. Jahvid Best was drafted as the 30th pick in 2010 with the hopes of being a star running back and he showed signs of talent in 2011, however he is coming off his second concussion and there are real fears he may never be able to perform at the level the Lions expect him to play at.
The question becomes should the Lions draft a running back or have faith in Bests. Jahvid Best has made it clear to everyone he has every intent to be back and prove all the doubters wrong. The Lions should give Jahvid every chance to prove he can be their starting running back in training camp. If Best for some reason does not prove to Jim Schwartz and the rest of the Lions coaching staff he can be their starting tail back, the Detroit Lions can still bring in a free agent.
The Detroit Lions have salary cap issues and free agents that the front office needs to decide if they are going to sign such as Cliff Avril and Stephen Tullock. The Lions have other issues they need to use the 2012 NFL Draft for. The Lions can focus on picking players to solidify their passing defense and their running defense. These issues are what kept the Detroit Lions from challenging for the North Division crown and advancing in the playoffs in 2011.
There are running backs that are free agents that would be more cost effective to bring in instead of drafting one. Let us be realistic here, a running backs career in the National Football League usually lasts an average of two or three seasons. The Lions have a terrific offense if they can bring a running back like Cedric Benson, LaGarette Blount, or BenJarvus Green-Ellis to go along with Jahvid Best the Lions would have a nice one two punch at running back. These are not super star running backs so they will not come at a steep price.
These running backs can rush for yards when it counts the most. The Detroit Lions missed having a running back when Best was injured that could get the first down when needed and keep the clock moving. Having another running back or a healthy Jahvid Best will only make the Lions offense that is led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson that much more dangerous then it was already during the 2011 season.
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Consider that the Lion’s gave up multiple picks to move up in the draft to claim Best and Leshoure in back-to-back drafts. The running game might improve not by using another high pick on a running back but bolstering the offensive line with run blockers. The OL does reasonably well in pass defense, but the problem is they cannot open a damn hole.
The Lions are not going to bring in a FA Running Back to compliment Jahvid Best, as this writer suggested in this article. The Lions are going to add a new running back to replace Jahvid Best. They are counting on Leshore to be the chain mover, but even that is in question because of the nature of the archilles injury. Whether through the draft or FA pick up, The Lions are going to have to add more talent.
Another fact that is wroung in this article is the shelf life RB’s only being 2 or 3 seasons. It is actually 4 to 5 seasons. That is still a low total, but it also factors in all the RB’s that just don’t have enough talent to remain in The NFL, and not only attributed to injuries. A team can not go into a draft and avoid an entire position on their team simply because their is a higher percentage of injury with that position. That is a defeatist approach. If The Lions are sitting on the 2nd or 3rd round and a very talented RB that fits what they want to do is on the board then it is not a bad pick. The Lions do need an influx of youth and power on their O-line for sure, but with their top two RB’s being a concussion away from retirement and the other one with an injury that might take two years to fully recover from, RB has become a big priority. Depending on who the RB is and where they draft him, I am not against the idea at all.
I believe the Lions needs a little bit of both, a powerful strong running back that can hold on to the ball and not affraid to go up against strong opponents and rebuilted their offensive line to give Matt Stafford good protection and to free up his passing game. This what got Giants to the Super Bowl.