Friday open thread: What should the Detroit Lions do at running back?

The Detroit Lions ended the 2019 season with a lot of holes in the roster, and credit is due to the front office addressing many of them at the onset of free agency. Cornerback, linebacker, right tackle, safety, and defensive tackle were all among the needs that have been at least partially met so far among a few others.

That being said, there are still some glaring issues on both sides of the ball. There is a desperate need for a second corner, and right guard is looking very rough. One more spot that seems to be neglected so far is at running back, where Kerryon Johnson needs a partner.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

What should the Lions do at running back?

My answer: Free agency seems like the best time to add to the backfield, but the Lions have not seemed to interested to do so as of yet. Time is running out though, as not many solid options remain. The obvious front runner would be Devonta Freeman, who might have the biggest price tag, but has the best resume among the bunch. Freeman likely would not break the bank, and the Lions are not spending much at the position right now anyway.

If no free agent gets signed, then look for Detroit to add a player during the draft. I do not like this direction as much, as there are other areas that need the help and should be prioritized. Rookie running backs cannot be expected to contribute much, and most options outside of the top few rounds are no better than what is already on the roster. Can the Lions really afford to spend another top-three round pick at the position?

The other option for new talent infusion would be trade, but that would likely not occur until training camp or sometime closer to the season. This is not a horrible route, but waiting that long could be risky. I suppose the Lions could also just stick with what they have, but with Johnson’s injuries and no solid choices behind him, that would be a pretty big gamble to take.