Lions take look at RB Tevin Coleman

After ranking 28th in rushing in 2014, the Lions need to address their run game offseason.

One way to do that is drafting a young running back who could eventually become a three-down back, and the Lions hosted one such player on a pre-draft visit Thursday.

Former Indiana running back Tevin Coleman went to Lions headquarters in Allen Park for one of the team’s 30 allotted pre-draft visits. He’s the first running back the Lions have hosted after beginning the visits on Monday.

The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Coleman was second in the nation last year with 2,036 rushing yards. He also scored 15 touchdowns and had 25 catches for 141 yards.

Most analysts consider Coleman one of the top five backs in the draft and a likely second-round pick. Georgia’s Todd Gurley and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon are the top two backs and possible first-round picks, and Coleman, Boise State’s Jay Ajayi and Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah are in the next tier.

A foot injury prevented Coleman from particpating in most combine events, but he plans to showcase his skills at Indiana’s pro day on April 15.

With the Lions cutting Reggie Bush, the tentative plan is to use Joique Bell as the between-the-tackles workhorse and increase Theo Riddick’s workload as a receiving threat, but they could use a solid back to build upon in the future.

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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