The NFL draft is still over two months away, but already fans are drawing up mock drafts that can make your head spin. The Detroit Lions are hoping that new coach Matt Patricia can help their team get over the hump and become a serious Super Bowl contender right away. The Lions already have a good squad, but they are lacking in two key spots - running the ball and sacking the quarterback.
Yes, Stafford is that good
Matt Stafford is a polarizing figure in Detroit. Either fans love him or hate him. If you look at what Stafford has had to work with in terms of a running game over the past five years, and especially last season, you really need to appreciate all he has done - and why the Lions need to focus on getting a running back.
The Lions rushed for just over 1200 total yards in 2017, putting them dead last in running the ball. They averaged 76 yards on the ground per game, yet they finished 13th overall in total offense. That is all thanks to Stafford and the wideouts. Just think what their offense could do if they could actually run the ball, or at least have a threat to do so.
Who will go number one?
With all the mock drafts out there, fans have a ton of reading material to choose from. One thing that most mocks have in common this year is that Saquon Barkley is the number one running back available.
With Barkley expected to go in the top ten, odds are he will not be around when the Lions make their first selection at pick 20 this April. However, several other running backs will, including Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson, and Georgia’s Nick Chubb.
Johnson rushed for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns for Auburn last season while winning the SEC offensive player of the year award as well. At 6’0”, 210 lbs, he reminds many NFL experts of former Michigan State standout and current NFL star Le'Veon Bell.
The former Tiger improved every season with Auburn in leaps and bounds. In 2015 Johnson gained 208 yards. His next season he jumped to 895 rushing yards before busting out for 1,391 this season. Many experts have Johnson being selected in the late 2nd to early 3rd round ut this kid could be a surprise first-round pick that really could pan out.
Nick Chubb is like Kerryon Johnson in terms of speed, but he seems to bring a bit more power. Chubb is more of a north-south runner who uses his huge frame to run defenders over. Chubb rushed for nearly 5,000 yards in his four-year career with Georgia while scoring 48 touchdowns.
Chubb has a nice combination of balance and power which helps to make him a force between the tackles and very tough to bring down.
He also was among the top NCAA rushers in terms of generating consistent yards after contact. His 4,769 total rushing yards puts him as the second leading rusher in SEC history. Now that is saying a lot.
The 2018 NFL draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 26 and run through the 28th. The 2018 draft will be held in the state of Texas for the first time in its history. It will take place from the house that Jerry built, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.