Several teams reportedly interested in Lions RB

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams. David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Several teams reportedly interested in record-setting Lions RB

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/11/23

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters at the NFL Combine that there’s mutual interest between the team and free agent running back Jamaal Williams on a reunion in 2023.

However, Detroit reportedly has some solid competition for the 27-year-old tailback, who has a growing list of potential suitors according to Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com.

Bills are interesting. They’ve spent a ton of draft capital at running back (Singletary, Moss, Cook) and traded for Nyheim Hines, who oddly wasn’t utilized. But they like Williams.

I do think the Lions want him back and it’s obviously been a great fit all ‘round.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) March 12, 2023

Williams had a career year in 2022, rushing for 1,066 yards and breaking Barry Sanders franchise record for single-season rushing touchdowns with 17.

Prior to this season, Williams’ never ran for more than 601 yards or four touchdowns in a single season.

With former second-round pick D’Andre Swift seemingly always battling injuries (he’s missed 10 combined games over the last three years and he hasn’t played a full season since entering the NFL in 2020), it makes sense that Detroit would want to bring Williams back.

Buffalo has perhaps the biggest need for a running back with Devin Singletary and Zach Moss both free agents, and 2022 rookie James Cook the only returning back from this season with more than 10 carries. Singletary led the Bills with 819 rushing yards and five touchdowns this year.

Cincinnati will likely be in the market for a new running back as well after the tumultuous last few weeks Joe Mixon had.

While Samaje Perine had a solid season as the Bengals No. 2 RB (95 carries, 394 yards, two touchdowns), he’s also a free agent.

Despite sending a sixth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for James Robinson, the Jets did not tender the 24-year-old former 1,000-yard rusher, leaving them with Breece Hall, who’s coming off a season-ending ACL injury, Michael Carter (402 yards, three touchdowns) and Zonovan Knight (300 yards, one touchdown). Williams could be added insurance with all the uncertainty surrounding New York’s depth.

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