We continue our Detroit Lions start, bench and cut series this week with a look at the running backs. So far we’ve done receivers, the defensive line and the secondary. Let’s jump into it.
Start
Since the Lions have a two headed monster in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, there really isn’t a starter per se. Both guys will share the load. But in terms of the guy that might be the first running back on the field for a game, that feels like the spot for David Montgomery.
He’s a tone setter out there and while Gibbs is very good, Montgomery is still the more experienced guy. Gibbs can come in and out and bring his exciting speed and shiftiness from there. Both guys share the load of being the starter.
Bench
This one is going to depend on a few things. How many running backs will the Lions carry into the season? Last year they had three on their initial roster, but added a fourth spot once Reynolds came back.
If we’re working under the idea that there’s only one spot left, it has to go to Sione Vaki. Purely because this guy can add so much to the team beyond what he can do on the offensive side of the ball. He’s going to be a big special teams contributor and he can help out on defense when needed too.
If there’s a fourth spot, I know who the Lions can have there. Fans will disagree with me, but I’m putting Zonovan Knight in this spot over Craig Reynolds. We saw last year what the team thinks of Knight when they started playing him over Reynolds when the team was without Montgomery and Gibbs. He played fairly well too until he suffered a season ending injury.
The upside is there with Knight and he’s also a lot younger than Reynolds.
Cut
That obviously means that Craig Reynolds would be on the outs in Detroit. Probably not for too long though. The Lions would be crazy to not have him on the practice squad. By the way, if things were the other way around and Knight got cut, they’d be crazy to not have him on the practice squad too.
Jermar Jefferson has been good during camp and the preseason, but he just hasn’t hit that level where you know he can contribute yet. The deck is really stacked against him in Detroit. He would benefit from a change of scenery.
Jake Funk is a guy that could surprise and make the practice squad simply based off the idea that he could maybe play a little fullback if needed. He can also be an extra special teams guy if the Lions need someone to stand in. We’ll see on him.