NFL Draft 2018: Is Kerryon Johnson the next Le’Veon Bell?

Many teams were sleeping on Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson but the Detroit Lions traded up to get him in the 2018 NFL Draft.

If the Detroit Lions circled a most important need heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, it had to be running back. Although Ameer Abdullah was selected by Detroit not too long ago to be the future in the backfield, he has struggled with consistency and has a hard time staying on the field.

How did Detroit address this need? First, the Lions drafted arguably the best center in the draft in Frank Ragnow out of Arkansas and then snagged Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson in the second round, trading up from the No. 51 pick to No. 43, also giving up a later pick.

Johnson has been one of the more intriguing names on the board and there are some lofty comparisons to another former second-round selection: Le’Veon Bell.

The former Michigan State back was selected by the Steelers back in the 2013 NFL Draft and has been one of the top rushers in the league over the past few years — when healthy. His vision is unbelievable and that’s where Johnson excels.

Johnson has first-round talent, but the Lions were able to move up into the second round and snag the Tigers’ 1,000-yard rusher. He finished his Auburn career with 2,494 yards and 32 touchdowns — over 2,200 yards and 29 touchdowns came over his last two seasons before forgoing his senior campaign to enter the draft.

The 6-0, 212-pound back from Huntsville, Ala., has the vision, elusiveness and hard-nosed, downhill running ability to boost that Lions run game instantly.

There’s a good chance Johnson will crack the No. 1 unit by the time the 2018 season begins.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete 7-round projections

Detroit got a good one with Johnson and if he’s anything like Le’Veon, the Lions could be headed back to the playoffs. Addressing the offensive line and then the backfield was exactly what needed to happen with the first two picks.