The Lions have moved on from one of their longest-tenured players. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the team has released running back Theo Riddick. His roster spot will be taken by defensive lineman Mike Daniels, who signed with Detroit yesterday.
The Notre Dame product has been with the Lions since he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 draft. The running back soon became one of Matthew Stafford‘s favorite targets, as Riddick has finished with at least 50 receptions per season since 2015. Actually, as our own Dallas Robinson pointed out, the 28-year-old has garnered more pass targets than rush attempts in half of his NFL seasons, and his career 3.6-yards-per-carry indicates that he’s much more dangerous in the passing game.
Despite his production, there was some speculation that the Lions could move on from the veteran. Riddick agreed to a three-year, $11.5MM extension with Detroit back in 2016, and he was set to count for $4.625MM on the team’s 2019 salary cap. Now, the Lions will only be left with ~$963K in dead cap.
Furthermore, the running back had one of his worst NFL seasons from a statistical standpoint, and the Lions added veteran C.J. Anderson and rookie Ty Johnson to pair with Kerryon Johnson and Zach Zenner. While none of those players possess the pass-catching prowess of Riddick, it was clear that the veteran was the odd man out.
Riddick is still relatively young, and plenty of teams could use a top-notch third-down back. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the running back quickly catch on with a brand-new organization.
Somewhere Lewis Riddick and Vin Diesel are crying.
bet dollars to doughnuts he ends up in New England..ol BB LOVES rb like theo
They have James White, who basically is a better version of Theo. They also have Michel, Damien Harris, and Burkhead on the roster. So its not really a need.
He will end up somewhere and be a good complimentary back or 3rd down. I wouldn’t be surprised if New England grabs him right away. They haven’t used him right the last several years and the offense they have now is not his type of game.
If he were a wide receiver he could go to the giants
Wow what an insightful comment
AND if he were a kicker he could go to the Bears.
(I know, also insightful)
Steelers pick him up
Maybe Miami could use another RB lol