The Detroit Lions definitely would seem to be in the market for a running back, and Georgia's Todd Gurley -- considered the best running back in this draft class -- is visiting with the Lions on Monday.
Gurley is rehabbing from ACL surgery; he suffered the injury in late November, but still is seen as a first-round pick. Gurley (6-foot-0 5/8, 222 pounds) is both physical and fast, and he also is an effective receiver. The Lions own the 23rd overall pick.
Gurley told detroitlions.com that he is rehabbing in Florida. "I haven't started running yet," he said. "... I'm building strength and definitely feeling a lot stronger."
The Lionsrecently released Reggie Bush, and detroitlions.com wrote that "the team would like to pair someone with workhorse Joique Bell and continue to use Theo Riddick as a pass-catching weapon." Bell is a journeyman who is not a breakaway threat; assuming he returns to full health, Gurley is a breakaway threat and has the potential to be a Pro Bowl-type back.
Gurley is the No. 13 player on NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's list of the top 50 players available in the draft. All six NFL Media analysts who have done mock drafts -- Jeremiah, Brian Baldinger, Bucky Brooks, Charley Casserly, Charles Davis and Lance Zierlein -- have Gurley going in the first round; Brooks, Davis and Zierlein have Gurley being available when Detroit picks 23rd.
The Lions also would seem to need a defensive tackle after losing both Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh via free agency, and one that should interest them likely will be available at No. 23. Four analysts have the Lions taking a defensive tackle, while two have them choosing an offensive tackle.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
