{"id":20000,"date":"2025-04-10T11:51:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T11:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000"},"modified":"2025-04-10T11:51:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T11:51:07","slug":"2025-detroit-lions-draft-preview-late-round-rb-could-be-sneaky-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000","title":{"rendered":"2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Late-round RB could be sneaky need"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2025<\/p>\n

Our 2025 Detroit Lions needs-based draft preview continues with the running back position. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has not hesitated to invest in the position, despite analytic communities insisting running backs weren\u2019t worth spending valuable draft capital on\u2014nor using cap space. It has certainly paid off for Detroit though, as the Lions sported one of the best rushing attacks\u2014and the best overall offense\u2014this past year.<\/p>\n

But is there any more work to do at the position as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft?<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Running backs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under contract:<\/strong> David Montgomery (signed through 2027), Jahmyr Gibbs (2026), Sione Vaki (2027), Craig Reynolds (2025)<\/p>\n

Short-term need<\/strong>: 2\/10
\nLong-term need<\/strong>: 1\/10<\/p>\n

There may not be a Lions position that would draw a more shocked response if drafted on Day 1 or 2 than running back. The Lions just gave Montgomery an extension in October, Gibbs could very well be a top-three running back in the league\u2014and is a prime candidate for his own extension in 2026\u2014and Sione Vaki is a developmental running back under contract for three years who has already established himself as a huge asset on special teams. Those players are likely to hold Detroit\u2019s top three running back spots for at least the next two seasons, quite possibly three.<\/p>\n

That said, Detroit is probably going to want to add some depth to round out the roster. Last year, the Lions came into training camp with seven running backs under contract, and they currently only have four, so don\u2019t be surprised if Detroit adds a few later-round or UDFA backs during and after the draft. At the very least, Jermar Jefferson\u2019s spot on the practice squad will have to be filled, as he has not re-signed with the team as of this publishing.<\/p>\n

PFF top-100<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Ashton Jeanty, Boise St.<\/li>\n
  • Omarion Hampton, North Carolina<\/li>\n
  • Cam Skattebo, Arizona State<\/li>\n
  • Dylan Sampson, Tennessee<\/li>\n
  • Kaleb Johnson, Iwa<\/li>\n
  • TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State<\/li>\n
  • Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State<\/li>\n
  • RJ Harvey, UCF<\/li>\n
  • Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)<\/li>\n
  • DJ Giddens, Kansas St.<\/li>\n
  • Devin Neal, Kansas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As you can see, it\u2019s a pretty deep class for running back, which could work in Detroit\u2019s favor. Seeing as they don\u2019t need a running back on Day 1 or Day 2, if plenty come off the board, it could cause a talented player at a different position to unexpectedly fall to Detroit.<\/p>\n

    That said, if the Lions shock the world and take someone on Day 2 or early Day 3, keep an eye on Jaydon Blue\u2014a Jahmyr Gibbs backup type who played under now Lions running backs coach Tashard Choice at Texas.<\/p>\n

    Notable Day 3 players<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Lan Larison (UC-Davis), Kalel Mullings (Michigan), Phil Mafah (Clemson)<\/p>\n

    When you get deep into the draft, any position is possible, particularly with Detroit\u2019s need to fill out the rest of their training camp roster. Of this group, Larison is one of the most intriguing options. Not only did he reportedly score a top-30 visit with the Lions, but he\u2019s a great mix of production, versatility, and grit. <\/em>He led the FCS with 2,132 all-purpose yards last year. At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Larison did everything for UC Davis, including act as a wildcat quarterback, kick returner, and receiver. Those locally know Mullings well, as he burst onto the scene in 2024, eclipsing Donovan Edwards. Mullings\u2014a former linebacker\u2014has strength and vision, making him a solid change-of-pace back with some special teams upside. If Montgomery is a bowling ball, Mafah (6-foot, 234) is an oversized bocce ball. He plays with a violence and tenacity that makes him difficult to take do, as evidenced by his 21 rushing touchdowns over his last two seasons.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Detroit Lions are set at running back for the next few years… but they could still pick one late in the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions"],"yoast_head":"\n2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Late-round RB could be sneaky need - Breaking News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Late-round RB could be sneaky need - Breaking News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Detroit Lions are set at running back for the next few years... but they could still pick one late in the 2025 NFL Draft.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Breaking News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-10T11:51:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lion-17.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrKen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrKen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20000\",\"name\":\"2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Late-round RB could be sneaky need - 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