Jabari Small

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Lions secured solid depth value with Jabari Small's $0.9M deal, earning a C+ CVI that reflects appropriate compensation for a developmental running back. At just under a million annually, Detroit is paying backup-tier money for what appears to be a backup-tier player, making this a sensible roster construction move rather than a headline-grabbing acquisition. Small's modest salary suggests the Lions view him as either special teams contributor or practice squad elevation material, keeping their financial commitment minimal while adding competition to the running back room. The contract structure heavily favors Detroit with minimal guaranteed money risk, allowing them to part ways without significant dead cap implications if Small doesn't develop as hoped. This represents exactly the type of low-cost, low-risk depth signing that championship-caliber teams make to round out their roster, giving the Lions another body in the backfield without compromising their ability to invest elsewhere.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Jabari's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Jabari Small's performance grade lands at C, capturing how he stacks up at running back this season. As a second-year player competing for roster real estate on a Lions squad that has clearly signaled ongoing investment at the position through free agent signings and anticipated Day 3 draft targets, Small occupies the replacement-level tier — a developmental depth piece without a defined path to meaningful snaps. His 2025 season production of 6 receiving yards across 2 games underscores his peripheral role, offering virtually no measurable impact on offense and indicating minimal opportunity or trust from Detroit's coaching staff. The absence of rushing attempts or carries in the stat line suggests Small has been relegated to spot duty or scout team work rather than competing for a featured role in the backfield. Given the Lions' recent offensive personnel additions — including signings across the receiver and line positions — and the media's framing of Small as a practice squad-caliber body, his trajectory hinges entirely on a standout training camp performance that would need to displace entrenched depth options to move the needle. At 25 years old with two seasons of minimal production, Small remains on the margins of NFL viability, a lottery ticket unlikely to cash before the regular season begins.

How Jabari Compares at the Position

Jabari Small ranks 79th of 175 graded running backs by performance. That slots Jabari between Sincere McCormick (C) just ahead and Jacardia Wright (C) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Fan reaction and beat coverage cluster around a C- sentiment grade for Jabari Small. The media narrative paints him as organizational depth rather than a meaningful addition—a camp body signed to complete roster construction during the offseason phase, buried in transactional announcements with virtually no fanfare or expectation of immediate impact. Small's coverage treats him as a developmental depth piece fighting for marginal roster real estate, a stark contrast to his on-field C performance grade, which suggests he has at least foundational NFL-caliber ability that the organization believes warrants investment. The Lions' broader offseason strategy—adding depth across multiple positions (WR Kyre Duplessis, LB Jack Campbell, DE Derrick Moore, OL Melvin Priestly) and signaling interest in Day 3 running back prospects—signals that Small's roster security remains tenuous, reinforcing media perception that he's a low-risk flyer rather than a centerpiece of Detroit's backfield plans. The prevailing take is that Small will likely spend training camp competing with other fringe players for a developmental role that may not even materialize into game-day availability, leaving him positioned as practice squad material whose NFL trajectory depends entirely on training camp performance and front office patience.