The Detroit Lions return arguably the best running back duo in the NFL in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, but what's wrong with a little competition for the No. 3 and No. 4 roles and improved depth overall?
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has selected a running back in each of the last two NFL Drafts and he's certainly not afraid of competition at a position of great importance to the Lions' offense.
Running back class draft strength: Talent and depth. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is one of the best players in the entire draft and we could see two or three running backs taken in the first round. Teams are going to find very productive players and potentially some immediate starters well into Day 2 at the position.
Lions running back depth chart: Gibbs, Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
View photos of the top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs with the football during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) rushes during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs as Penn State linebacker Kobe King (41) pursues during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football CFP quarterfinal game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Boise State's Ashton Jeanty runs a drill during the school's NFL football pro day held, Wednesday March 26, 2025, at the Caven-Williams Indoor Facility in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) runs with the ball against Notre Dame during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) outruns Mississippi State safety Jordan Morant (17) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo runs for a touchdown against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Lions running back draft priority: Low. Gibbs and Montgomery were both 1,000-yard rushers last season and lead a Lions rushing attack that's one of the best in the business. Reynolds is a reliable No. 3 back, and Vaki is already a terrific special teamer with upside as a runner, but four running backs on the roster heading into training camp and the preseason is a little light.
Five running backs who could fit the Lions:
1. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
5-10, 202. 4.43 40-yard dash
Henderson has three-down potential in the NFL as a player who possesses terrific speed and acceleration in the open field. He was a 1,000-yard rusher for the Buckeyes last season and has 77 career receptions and 48 total touchdowns over his career.
2. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
6-0, 221. 4.48 40-yard dash
Judkins has terrific size, athleticism and speed for the position. He rushed for over 1,000 yards along with Henderson for the Buckeyes last season. The Mississippi transfer rushed for over 1,100 yards in the SEC as a sophomore in 2023, which means he was a 1,000-yard rusher in both of the top two conferences in college football the last two seasons.
3. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
5-8, 200. 4.42 40-yard dash
The SEC Player of the Year had nearly 1,500 rushing yards (1,491) and 22 touchdowns this past season and also chipped in 20 receptions. He's got to prove to teams he can pass protect with his frame, and he also has to improve his ball security, but he could be a terrific special teams player and good complement to Gibbs and Montgomery as a third option.
View photos of the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) scores a touchdown in front of Florida A&M defensive back Deco Wilson (11) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo catches a pass during the school's NFL football pro day Monday, March 24, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (0) runs after completing a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) runs the ball against Ohio State during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Texas tight end Gunnar Helm (85) catches a 19-yard touchdown pass ahead of Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton (23) during the first half in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas tight end Gunnar Helm runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Michigan State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) in action during an NCAA college football game between Indiana and Michigan in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
LSU tight end Mason Taylor runs after a reception against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
LSU tight end Mason Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) hurdles Maryland defensive back Kevis Thomas (25) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs from Oregon defensive back Kobe Savage (5) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
6-1, 224. 4.57 40-yard dash
Montgomery is a strong runner and breaks tackles at a high clip, but Johnson would be a true thumper in Detroit's backfield with his size, strength and running style combo. He recorded 1,537 rushing yards (6.4 avg.) with 21 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes last season. His size would give the Lions a dimension they don't currently have in their backfield and he could play some fullback reps too.
5. Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
5-9, 206. 4.32 40-yard dash
Tuten has rare track speed with big-play potential on every snap. Tuten rushed for 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. One thing to consider with Tuten is the changes to the kickoff rule being implemented this offseason and the expectation that more returns will be coming on that play in 2025. He could be dynamic there. Having two backs with sub-4.4 speed could be fun for new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton.
