The Detroit Lions look to have found their running back of the future in last year's second-round pick Kerryon Johnson, who finished second in the NFL with a 5.4 yards per carry average, and proved to be a consistent playmaker in the Lions' offense when healthy.
Behind Johnson the Lions have some decisions to make this offseason. The team's second and third leading rushers last season – LeGarrette Blount and Zach Zenner – are both unrestricted free agents. Veteran third down specialist, Theo Riddick, is entering the final year of his contract.
It would not be surprising to see some new faces in the running back room when the team returns for offseason workouts, potentially both via free agency and the draft.
This year's crop of rookie runners will be at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week going through medical evaluations, meeting with teams and doing on-field testing.
Here's a look at some of the running backs to watch next week:
JOSH JACOBS
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 216
Best trait: Versatility. Jacobs has a terrific combination of power, vision, burst and passing-catching ability to be a three-down player in the NFL. He can get a team the yards they need on the goal line or make a play out of the backfield in the passing game on third down.
Concern: Teams wonder about his long speed and the fact that he didn't have a lot of explosive long runs in college. He split carries with Damien Harris. Can he be a bell cow?
Skinny: Jacobs became more of a focal point in the offense this past season, getting 120 carries, rushing for 640 yards (5.3 average) and scoring 11 touchdowns in 15 games. He also caught 20 passes for 247 yards (12.4) and three scores, and was a weapon as a kick returner (14 returns for 428 yards and one touchdown). He's a do-it-all back.
View photos of running backs that will participate in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Stanford running back Bryce Love (20) rushes against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif. A couple of Pac-12 stars have a chance to put themselves into the Heisman mix on Saturday night when No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. Love, last year’s Heisman runner-up behind Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield, is already way behind the field in the Heisman race, but the speedster can make up ground in a nationally televised night game. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield (13) breaks through the Middle Tennessee defense for a big gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. The Bulldogs have produced dynamic running backs over the years, from Herschel Walker to Todd Gurley. The trend continues this season with Holyfield and D'Andre Swift. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Michigan State running back LJ Scott (3) looks back at Washington State defensive back Robert Taylor (2) as he scores on a 28-yard touchdown run during second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Memphis's Tony Pollard, center, returns a kickoff as he runs into Central Florida defensive back Kyle Gibson (25) during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
LSU running back Nick Brossette (4) runs the ball for a first down against UCF in the first half during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington running back Myles Gaskin, top, scores past Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield during the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. Ohio State won 28-23. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams (5) dodges the tackle attempt by UAB linebacker Chris Woolbright, right, to score during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Washington State Cougars running back James Williams (32) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Boulder, Colo. Washington State won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Miami running back Travis Homer (24) looks downfield after breaking a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Virginia defeated Miami 16-13. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs for a touchdown against Central Florida during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship game, in Orlando, Fla. Henderson was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) runs through an opening in the Louisville defensive line during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Oklahoma state running back Justice Hill (5) is chased by Missouri State safety Kam Carter (47), defensive tackle Kylin Washington (99), and linebacker Jordan Wilkes (23) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Wisconsin's Alec Ingold runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Pittsburgh's Qadree Ollison (30) runs through the tackle of Clemson's Tanner Muse (19) in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams (2) runs for a 32-yard touchdown against Florida State in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Temple running back Ryquell Armstead (7) leaps over Boston College defensive back Mike Palmer (18) on his way to a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Penn State's Miles sanders (24) breaks off a long run against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Appalachian State running back Jalin Moore (25) runs past Toledo defensive back Kahlil Robinson (27) to score a touchdown in the second half of the Dollar General Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
Boise State running back Alexander Mattison (22) runs past BYU defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi (90) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 21-16 over BYU.(AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Michigan running back Karan Higdon (22) cuts back on a run against Wisconsin in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alabama running back Damien Harris (34) carries the ball against Citadel during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Florida Atlantic running back Devin Singletary (5) slips past Central Florida defensive back Brandon Moore (20) for a 9-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Ohio State running back Mike Weber scores a touchdown against Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Oregon State 77-31. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Kansas State running back Alex Barnes (34) gets past Oklahoma State linebacker Calvin Bundage, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Kansas State won 31-12. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Florida running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs 48 yards for a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson (24) runs away from Florida Atlantic cornerback Chris Tooley (26) for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
DAMIEN HARRIS
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 214
Best trait: Production. Harris led Alabama with 1,037 yards on 146 carries (7.1 average) as a sophomore in 2016. He rushed for another 1,000 yards in 2017 with 11 touchdowns on just 135 carries (7.4 average). He paced the Tide again this past season with 876 yards and nine scores on 150 carries (5.8 average), splitting carries with Jacobs.
Concern: Harris lacks game-breaking speed or elite quickness.
Skinny: He's a no-nonsense runner -- One cut and get up the field back. He sets up his blocks well. Splitting carries with Jacobs means he doesn't have the wear and tear on his body as some of the other backs coming out. He doesn't turn the ball over, and should immediately help an NFL backfield.
DEVIN SINGLETARY
School: Florida Atlantic
Ht/Wt: 5-9, 200
Best trait: Singletary finds the end zone. He led the nation in 2017 with 32 rushing touchdowns. He was among the nation's leaders again this past season with 22. In all, Singletary rushed for 66 touchdowns in three college seasons.
Concern: He's a bit undersized at 5-foot-9. FAU really wore out the tread on the tires, giving him close to 600 touches (587) over the last two seasons.
Skinny: There's no discounting his collegiate production. He can run between the tackles and is an able pass catcher out of the backfield, though he wasn't asked to do much of that this past season. He has a knack for finding the end zone, which teams love in their runners at this level.
DARRELL HENDERSON
School: Memphis
Ht/Wt: 5-9, 200
Best trait: Big-play potential. He finished second in the country with 1,909 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 214 carries (8.9 average) in 2018. He also averaged 8.9 yards per carry in 2017. He had 43 carries of 15-plus yards and 11 touchdowns of 50-plus yards last season.
Concern: Henderson has as a little smaller frame than desired and has an upright running style.
Skinny: Henderson is a speed back with big-play potential. He led the nation with 2,328 all-purpose yards. He could serve as a perfect complement in a one-two backfield setup. He's a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
DAVID MONTGOMERY
School: Iowa State
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 219
Best trait: Experience. Montgomery is a three-year starter for the Cyclones and two-time 1,000-yard rusher. He also caught 71 passes over the last three years, so there's some versatility to his game. He has the size, experience, toughness and instincts to help a team earlier rather than later.
Concern: Like Singletary, Montgomery has taken on a lot of the running load the last two seasons. There are also some questions about his long speed. The 40 time at the Combine will be an important number for him.
Skinny: He might be the best all-around back in this class when it's all said and done. He can play on all three downs and be productive on all three. He should come in and be an instant contributor.
BRYCE LOVE
School: Stanford
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 196
Best trait: Explosiveness. Love was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2017, ranking second in the nation with 2,118 rushing yards, fourth in yards per carry (8.1), and fifth in rushing touchdowns (19). He battled injuries in 2018, and his numbers dipped significantly, so the pre-draft process will be important for him. He should test well, especially in the speed and agility drills.
Concern: Love doesn't have ideal size to be a guy that can carry the load for a team.
Skinny: He's got the burst and speed to turn a short run into a 60-yard touchdown. He showed last season he can play through pain, which teams will admire. Talent evaluators will look at the 2017 tape and see the potential in his game to be a game-breaking back with plus speed and quickness.
