2020 NFL Draft: How Jason Huntley impacts the Detroit Lions roster

The Lions have added another running back to the roster by selecting Jason Huntley from New Mexico State.

Player selected: Jason Huntley

Position: RB

Current players on roster at RB:

• Tra Carson
• Wes Hills
• Kerryon Johnson
• Ty Johnson
• Bo Scarbrough
• D’Andre Swift

Offseason losses at RB:

• J.D. McKissic

Impact:

From a numbers perspective, Huntley is in a similar mold of D’Andre Swift. Both are 5-foot-8 and possess wicked speed. However, Huntley figures to be a change-of-pace option for the Lions, not the starting role that Swift will likely find himself in. He could fill a role similar to Tarik Cohen on the Bears.

Huntley adds an interesting competition to the backfield, specifically with Ty Johnson. Both players fill a similar role as a burner running back, and it will be interesting to see how Johnson can adapt. Johnson is a bigger running back, but in an already crowed running back room, someone will be left out. Bo Scarbrough could also be on the chopping block, while Tra Carson and Wes Hills are most certainly not making the final roster.

Perhaps the biggest competition Huntley will bring is at the returner position. The incumbent, Jamal Agnew, has been electric as a punt returner, but underwhelming as a kickoff returner. Given his struggles to develop into a serviceable corner, Agnew’s return skills might not be enough to make the roster. At the very least, it will be something to monitor.

Huntley will bring plenty of speed to the Lions offense and special teams, and it will be interesting to see how the Lions utilize him.