With The First Pick
Fansided

Lions: 3 players in need of a good 2020 campaign to avoid replacement

By Austin Heeres

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Kerryon Johnson has much to prove to the Lions. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Kerryon Johnson has much to prove to the Lions. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Kerryon Johnson, Running Back

Drafted by the Lions in the 2nd round in 2018, Johnson began his Lions career with a very solid rookie campaign. He ran for 5.4 yards per carry, starting seven of his ten games played. He was ranked highly in fantasy for 2019, proving he could play well in the NFL, but fell short of his expectations, no thanks to another leg injury.

In the 274 snaps he played in 2020, his yards per carry numbers dropped to 3.6. Johnson ranked 37th in the NFL among running backs according to PFF’s grading system and fell behind backup Bo Scarbrough who ranked 22nd among running backs with only 164 snaps.

In the second round of this summer’s draft, the Lions selected running back D’Andre Swift from Georgia. The pick showed that the Lions have dwindling faith in Johnson and have a solid backup in the waiting. Johnson needs a great start to keep his starting spot on the Lions offense, or at least solid RB2 numbers.

Johnson is now out to prove he is still the lead dog in thee backfield for Detroit as he now is set to split carries with the younger, more agile Swift.

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