The Lions have a need at running back entering the draft, and they're doing their homework on one of the best on the board.
Detroit has a video conference set up with J.K. Dobbins, according to The Houston Chronicle. The former Ohio State star is projected to go in the second or third round -- and the Lions have three Day 2 picks, with the possibility of adding more in a first-round trade.
Dobbins, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season, also has interviews scheduled with the Texans, Chiefs, Packers, Bills, Saints, and Dolphins. He's considered one of the top three running backs in the draft along with De'Andre Swift of Georgia and Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin.
Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins has video conferences with several teams, including Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, per a league source. He visited Dolphins prior to the NFL shutting down visits
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL)
April 15, 2020 The Lions have also expressed interest in Utah RB Zack Moss, the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. Other running backs with a chance to go on Day 2 include LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Florida State's Cam Akers.
There's no doubt Detroit's backfield
could use another playmaker. Its lead runner is an injury risk in Kerryon Johnson, and the rest of the room -- Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, Tra Carson and Wes Hills -- doesn't inspire much confidence.
Dobbins, with his sturdy frame and downhill style, could appeal to the Lions as the complement to Johnson. He didn't miss a game over three seasons at Ohio State. And he produced down the stretch in 2019, averaging about 180 yards over the Buckeyes' last four games against Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Clemson.
"Proved he could shoulder a heavy load and rise to the occasion against the best his schedule had to offer," writes
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He can make a sudden tackler miss and fits as a one-cut runner, but his running style is more battle axe than buzzsaw as a lunch-pail runner with the fortitude and toughness to wear down defenses.
"Dobbins isn't going to be that creative back with the wiggle and juice to create something out of nothing, but he has the efficiency, production and third-down value teams covet. Dobbins could land a shared-carries role quickly and has the potential to become a solid NFL starter."
If the Lions indeed take a running back on Day 2 of the draft, don't be surprised if it's Dobbins.
