Detroit Lions: Assessing Ameer Abdullah’s Role in 2017

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah has been medically cleared to return to football. Will he find his place in the Lions increasingly crowded backfield?

When the Detroit Lions selected Ameer Abdullah with the 54th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, hopes were high. A rare combination of elusiveness and athleticism, his 138.7 SPARQ score was the stuff of legend. Abdullah was immediately expected to slide into a significant role in the Lions backfield, and some coaches and pundits were even going as far as making Barry Sanders comparisons. While statements like that almost always contain a certain degree of hyperbole, it is undeniable that hopes were very high for this talented player before he even took a snap as a professional.

However, after two years in the NFL, it’s difficult to assess Abdullah’s impact on this organization. Year 1 proved to be a bit of a struggle for the Nebraska product, as a limited role and a fumbling issue led to a slightly disappointing end result. While he flashed his trademarks athleticism and made some highlight reel plays, by and large, the results were mixed.

Abdullah’s 2016 sophomore campaign, on the other hand, was frustrating for an entirely different reason. After he came out of the gates with a huge Week 1 performance (120 total yards and a touchdown) against the Indianapolis Colts that got Lions fans excited about the future, Abdullah suffered a torn ligament in his foot in Week 1. And just like that, his promising season was over.

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Recently, reports have surfaced that Abdullah has been cleared to return to football activities, and that poses interesting questions about the future. After two topsy-turvy NFL seasons, where does he fit into the team’s plans for 2017? What sort of workload can he expect? Two years is a long time in the NFL, and the current Lions regime led by general manager Bob Quinn, was not responsible for Abdullah’s drafting. During that time span, Theo Riddick has emerged as a premier pass-catching running back and Zach Zenner enjoyed something of an under-the-radar breakout toward the end of 2016.

Complicating matters even further is the fact that the 2017 NFL Draft is littered with a deep and talented array of runners that can be acquired during virtually any round. Recent rumors indicate that the Lions will take advantage of this surplus, and add to an already crowded running back group. Even respected experts like Mike Mayock are weighing in on the matter.

While it’s unlikely (though not impossible) that the Lions will draft a tailback in the first round, any rookie that is added to the mix will certainly have a role in this offense. So where does this leave Abdullah?

Ultimately, it’s tough to say. While he boasts high-caliber receiving skills of his own, he will continue to cede pass-catching duties to Riddick. Furthermore, if the team does in fact draft a power runner, Abdullah will almost certainly lose out on goal line and short-yardage opportunities to the rookie and Zenner, who has proven to be dependable in that department as well.

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With all of these roles comfortably occupied in a (likely) four-pronged backfield, it stands to reason that Abdullah’s opportunity share won’t resemble that of a “feature back.” While this may be disappointing to the third-year pro, it may ultimately prove to be the best course of action for the franchise to take.

Players of Abdullah’s talent are rare and, without question, he is a big play waiting to happen. Even with limited touches, his impact can be felt on any game. Furthermore, a lighter workload should keep him fresh, healthy, and ready to make an impact down the stretch in must-win games. It goes without saying that the team missed him greatly during the four-game losing streak (including the playoffs) that closed out the season.

In spite of all the organizational changes that this franchise has experienced recently, the fact remains that the Detroit Lions invested significant draft capital in Abdullah back in 2015, and he will remain an important part of the team’s game plan going forward. In an ideal scenario, he would still get his share of touches between the 20s, while also providing valuable as a dynamic, field-flipping return man.

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There is no need to feed a player with his diverse skill set 20-plus carries a game with so many capable players in the backfield, but as long as Jim Bob Cooter and the offense can keep him involved in a significant role, Ameer Abdullah will prove to be an impact player for the Detroit Lions.