The Facts: After splitting time in the Eagles’ backfield with Jay Ajayi and others last season, and with a host of backs during his three years with the New England Patriots, Blount is staring a similar opportunity in the face with the Lions. He typically worked first in the Lions’ running-back rotation in OTAs Thursday, and will no doubt have a role in a backfield that’s still sorting out its many options.

Diehards Line: The Lions traded up to take Kerryon Johnson in the second round of April’s draft, and they return their top two rushers from last season in Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah. But it's worth noting Blount has been a key player for three of the last four Super Bowl champions. And while the rookie Johnson projects to play a sizable role for the Lions this fall — it was him, not Blount, who took the first snap with the first-team offense during an installation period Thursday — Blount should at a minimum help an offense that was among the worst in the league in short-yardage situations last year. and he should, at a minimum, help an offense that was among the worst in the league in short-yardage situations last year.