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Detroit Lions: Top 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 15: Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions tackles Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 52-38. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 15: Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions tackles Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 52-38. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 02: Kerryon Johnson #21 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 02: Kerryon Johnson #21 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Kerryon Johnson, RB

No player has a better chance of breaking out for the Lions in 2018 than running back Kerryon Johnson.

As the Ameer Abdullah experiment comes to a close, the Lions are in need (desperately) of a featured running back that can take pressure off their passing game.

Enter Johnson, who has excellent size and burst for the position, and could be a 1,000-yard back immediately for Detroit.

Johnson is going to get a lot of touches in his rookie season, no doubt, but it’s the abilities of the Lions’ offensive line that make him such an interesting breakout candidate.

From left to right, the Lions’ offensive line is Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, T.J. Lang, and Ricky Wagner.

That offensive line is big, mean, and going to give defenses fits this season.

If anyone stands to benefit, it’s the Lions’ starting and featured running back.

Johnson could have a huge year behind those behemoths.

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