The Detroit Lions have built a dominant "Sonic and Knuckles" backfield consisting of speed demon Jahmyr Gibbs and consistent plowhorse David Montgomery, but with Gibbs in need of a new deal, Brad Holmes knew he couldn't keep this arrangement together forever.
Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans for a package headlined by a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft, a seventh-round selection, and backup offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. The trade has left a hole at the RB2 spot. Currently, 2024 fourth-round pick Sione Vaki holds that spot.
If the Lions are unconvinced by Vaki's potential, one of these five players may end up coming to Detroit if they are picked in the 2026 NFL Draft.
5 running backs Lions can target in 2026 NFL Draft to replace David Montgomery
5. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
Moss is not going to overwhelm with production or speed, but he was at the heart of the Aggies' ground game due to his ability to plow through tacklers and quickly accelerate when he gets a full head of steam. Moss makes sense from a stylistic point of view.
4. Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Not only did McGowan put together a strong performance at the NFL Combine, but he was a productive power back on a Kentucky offense with one of the country's worst passing games. However, McGowan will need to convince Detroit that his personal problems are in the past after leaving Oklahoma under very difficult circumstances.
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Johnson's slower 40-yard dash time shouldn't raise too many alarms, as everything else about his tape suggests that he will be a smooth operator between the tackles with more big-play potential than most power backs out there. Johnson ran for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Cornhuskers last season.
2. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Washington had the best NFL Combine showing of any running back, as he weighed in at 223 pounds and ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash. Washington seems like a more explosive back than many of the Day 2 road-graders out there in this class, and the Lions could take advantage of that.
1. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
While overshadowed by teammate Jeremiyah Love, Price has put together such an impressive resume that he may earn the title of RB2 in this class. If the Lions want to invest a ton of resources into the running back position after getting rid of Montgomery, Price is the best way to go.