Ranking the Room: NFC North Running Backs

Where would the Chicago Bears rank amongst the top running back rooms in the NFC North?

In the long summer as we wait for the NFL season to get back into the swing of things it is a good time to look into the Chicago Bears roster and compare it to others around the league. This series will break down how the Bears rank against each of their division rivals. This will include not only top-end talent but also depth.

The first post was the quarterback. Today, we look at the running back room.

Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah, LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick

The Detroit Lions sit rather clearly as the bottom group of this division. The team has some potential, but it seems as though right now they have a cluster of talent with no real direction as to what to do with it.

Ameer Abdullah and Kerryon Johnson have the potential to be workhorse running backs. However, Abdullah is entering is entering year four and has just over 1,200 career yards. He is an injury concern who is essentially out of the coaching staffs favor by now.

Johnson, on the other hand, has the most upside of the group and should be in the coaches favor as they selected him in round 2. Of course, that does mean that Johnson is also a rookie, and with that is completely unproven.

Blount has a role but has a limited ceiling. He is to the point of his career where he is a goal-line running back. His role will be defined, but in terms of faith in the room, he does not overcome the questions of Johnson and Abdullah.

Lastly is Theo Riddick who is similar to Blount in that he is a role-playing back who will not carry a load. Riddick is essentially a slot WR. He was targeted 71 times and carried the ball on 84 rushing attempts.

If Johnson hits, the unit is not too bad. If Johnson flops, it is one of the worst groups in the NFL.