The Detroit Lions are in need of running back help, but have plenty of confidence in the players on their roster to take care of the backfield if no moves are made. The Lions will enter the season with Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson holding down the receiver group, but after releasing Reggie Bush, the Lions have question marks in the run game. However, head coach Jim Caldwell is not as concerned as some believe.
Entering 2015, the Lions will have Joique Bell and Theo Riddick as their one-two punch if no other running backs are brought on. According to Caldwell, he has full confidence in not only Bell's ability to be a starter, but Riddick's potential to finally be the running back many thought he would be.
"We try and give (the ball) to the guys who are going to do something with it, and I think he's going to be one of those guys who's going to force us to give him the ball more," Caldwell said, via MLive.com. "I think you're really going to see him come along."
Riddick is a former sixth-round draft pick and has been quiet since arriving in Detroit. Now in his third season, the Lions need him to step up and take the place of Bush. Last season he put up 316 receiving yards on 34 catches while also running the ball 20 times, but only averaging 2.5 yards per carry. The Lions need him to become a better overall back in order to complement Bell who has speed and power in the backfield.
With just two running backs, the Detroit Lions must add someone. According to MLive.com, that will come in the draft over the free agent market. The Lions will not make moves for players like Ray Rice or trades for Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte. Caldwell has been clear they are not options. Other big contracts on the pay roll hurt those efforts anyways. If the Lions wanted to sign someone, players like Knowshon Moreno, Pierre Thomas and Stevan Ridley are available. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also reports the Lions could take either Todd Gurley or TJ Yeldon in the second round of the NFL Draft.
