By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK — After finishing last in the NFL in rushing in 2017, the Lions were going to address the running back position at some point in the 2018 NFL Draft, and Bob Quinn did so in Round 2, selecting Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson at No. 43 overall after a trade with the New England Patriots.
In order to move up eight spots to grab Johnson, Quinn dealt away both the Lions’ original second-round pick (No. 51) and the team’s fourth-round selection (No. 117) to New England. The Patriots had acquired pick No. 43 last year after trading Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers. This trade is the fifth trade between the Lions and Patriots since Quinn became Lions GM in 2016.
Johnson, 20, was the SEC offensive player of the year in 2017, finishing the season with 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Huntsville, Ala. native, who was also a Doak Walker Award semifinalist, led the conference in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards.
The Lions finished last in the NFL in rushing in 2017 and have plenty of work to do in order to turn things around. Johnson, in a conference call with local reporters, said he is ready to get to work.
“I’m ready to come in and work,” said Johnson, who ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at his pro day. “That’s what I feel like this organization loves to do is work. That’s what everyone knows Detroit for, being a hard-working city. I’m looking forward to stepping in and doing the same.”
When asked about the Lion’s struggles running the football in recent seasons, the six-foot 212-pound Johnson admitted he didn’t know much about them, but said he’s “ready to come in and do what a running back is supposed to do and that’s run the football and do whatever is necessary to succeed.”
Draft picks are constantly compared to players at their position who are already in the NFL, and Johnson is no different. The Lion’s newest running back has already drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell, one of the best running backs in the league. Johnson, an All-State basketball player in High School, said he compares himself to only one running back in particular: himself.
“Now that I’m in the NFL I feel that I run the most like myself. I try to play the game like I think it should be played and I hold myself to that standard. I just run and do things just the way I want to.”