The hidden positionless weapon the Lions have had in for a visit ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft has us a little excited
If there's one thing that we love here at A to Z Detroit, it's versatility. Our favorite position in football might be Super Back because the guy who plays that can play basically anything on the field. That's why we were so excited when the Lions were showing a ton of interest in Sione Vaki […]
If there's one thing that we love here at A to Z Detroit, it's versatility. Our favorite position in football might be Super Back because the guy who plays that can play basically anything on the field. That's why we were so excited when the Lions were showing a ton of interest in Sione Vaki last year and eventually drafted him.
This year, the Lions are again showing interest in that type of player, and he might have a bit of a higher ceiling in terms of what he can do for Detroit. We're talking about UC-Davis running back Lan Larison.
The Lions recently had Larision in for a top-30 visit, and that's pretty significant. Not just anyone gets those and the Lions tend to draft or sign those guys in April. Last year, they had top-30 meetings with Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Giovanni Manu, Sione Vaki, and Nate Lynn.
At first glance, it's kind of weird. Why is this FCS running back getting a top-30? Then you watch him play and you realize this 6-foot running back isn'y just a running back. He's a receiver too, and he put up 2,132 all-purpose yards in 2024. The only running back in the country to have more was Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, who is expected to go early in the first round of this year's draft.
Twice in 2024 Larison had games in which he had 100 yards receiving and 100 yards rushing at the same time. That is not easy to do. Larison is that one high school kid who is clearly better than everyone else on the field and just kind of does everything.
For the Lions, Larison could be a few different things. He could be the Lions' new version of Kalif Raymond to an extent and maybe beyond. You're looking at a guy who can take that WR4 role and can also get a shot at returning kicks and punts.
At running back, he could be your David Montgomery replacement. While the Lions love Montgomery and he's not going anywhere super soon, they could save $15 million if they move him after the 2025 season, and that just happens to be the time in which this team needs to devote money towards keeping Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Jack Campbel,l and Sam LaPorta. Larison is a cheaper option.
In terms of where Larison could be drafted, there's a realistic chance he won't be. He's an FCS guy, and it's going to be hard to break into the draft unless he keeps getting attention from other teams.
He has priority UDFA written all over him. Much like last year, when the Lions brought in edge rusher Nate Lynn from William & Mary and then quickly signed him as an undrafted free agent right after the draft. That's likely Larison's path, too, unless interest goes up and they feel they want to take him late in the draft to keep him away from someone else. Keep an eye on this name.
The Lions may already be looking for David Montgomery’s replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions have the best running back duo in the NFL with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. I don't think anyone can dispute that. They are an uber-talented duo who keep coming close to the elusive two 1,000-yard backs achievement. The Lions also have veteran Craig Reynolds and last year's fourth-round pick Sione Vaki […]
