With the 54th overall pick, the Detroit Lions select Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah.
The Detroit Lions had the 28th ranked rushing offense in the NFL last year, but have now made two big moves to boost that number in 2015 with the selection of guard Laken Tomlinson in the first round (28th overall) Thursday, and now former Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah with their second-round pick (54th overall).
Another high-character player head coach Jim Caldwell likes, Abdullah rushed for 1,611 yards with 19 touchdowns this past season. He also caught 22 passes for 269 yards with another three scores.
As a junior, he ran for 1,690 yards and nine touchdowns while topping 100 yards in 11 of 13 games.
Abdullah (5-9, 205) has explosive potential as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.
Ball security is the one legitimate concern with Abdullah as he had 23 fumbles over his four years at Nebraska.
Head coach Jim Caldwell wants to run the ball more in 2014 and the Lions’ first two picks in this draft support that.