Lions 2023 draft preview: Detroit could be in the market for some Swift insurance

Over the next several days, leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions’ roster and evaluating how the team might address each unit. Today: Running backs.

▶ Current roster: David Montgomery, D’Andre Swift, Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson

▶ Short-term need: Two out of 10

▶ Long-term need: 6.5 out of 10

▶ Top prospects: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs

▶ Day 2 options: Zach Charbonnet, Devon Achane, Zach Evans, Tyjae Spears

▶ Late-round considerations: Sean Tucker, Chase Brown, Kenny McIntosh, Mohamed Ibrahim

▶ Analysis: Gone are the days of one-back backfields.

OK, maybe that’s not entirely true. There are a handful of situations that run counter to that statement, such as Derrick Henry in Tennessee, Saquon Barkley in New York and Josh Jacobs in Las Vegas. Those three averaged more than 1,350 yards more than the next running back on their respective rosters in 2022.

But for the most part, teams have two or more options share the load. Such is the case in Detroit, where the snaps and carries are expected to be split between Montgomery and Swift.

Montgomery is the newcomer, replacing Jamaal Williams, and is the front-runner to be the lead option for the Lions. Durable and elusive, Montgomery has averaged 661 snaps and 1,212 yards from scrimmage during his four-year career. Swift, meanwhile, is an electric dual-threat complement who has been limited throughout his young career by his own durability.

If both are healthy, there won’t be many remaining scraps. As it stands, those leftovers will belong to Reynolds, who is also at the ready if Swift gets banged up.

With that level of overall talent, it’s worth asking how diligent the Lions need to be pursuing an upgrade. It depends on how the team truly views Swift, who has battled injuries each of his first three seasons and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Even if he were to buck the trend and stay on the field for all 17 games this season, it’s difficult to see the team rushing to offer a new contract. The hard truth is running backs don’t age particularly well, so it’s unwise to commit resources to a liability.

Now, this could simply be viewed as next year’s problem. And with plenty of success with rookie running backs providing immediate contributions across the league, that’s a reasonable way to look at the situation. But if the right talent is available at the right spot, it’s possible the Lions pull the trigger in this draft, providing some welcomed insurance for Swift for the upcoming campaign.

This year’s crop of backs starts with Robinson, who has the tools and makeup to be one of the NFL’s best for years to come. In the mold of Barkley and Jacobs, Robinson is a workhorse with no discernable holes in his game. He’s likely to be the earliest back selected since Barkley went No. 2 overall five years ago.

And while we won’t write off the possibility if he lingers to Detroit’s second first-round pick, No. 18 overall, it’s a little difficult to envision a match after the three-year, $18 million deal the team invested in Montgomery this offseason.

A similar argument could be made on the draft’s second day, where the Lions hold three picks. Charbonnet would be a fun power back to add to Detroit’s mix, while Achane is more of a speedy slasher with home-run ability that mimics what Swift brings to the offense.

Spears, who has had an outstanding pre-draft process, also offers some overlap with Swift, given the Tulane product’s receiving ability and explosive playmaking, demonstrated through the 6.8 yards per carry he averaged through his college career.

Day 3 should offer options in all flavors. We really like a couple Big Ten products in Brown and Ibrahim. Brown, the Illinois standout, can do damage as a pass-catcher and as a ball carrier, breaking more than 80 tackles last season. He further bolstered his profile with strong athletic testing at the combine.

Ibrahim, who measured in at 5-foot-8, 203 pounds at that event, runs much bigger than his size. The downside is an injury history, which could give the Lions pause since that’s what they’d be trying to get away from as they eventually move away from Swift.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers