The Detroit Lions need some offensive backfield help. Will they get it in the draft?What kind of help are they looking for?

 

Current starter, Kevin Smith is likely to land on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to start the season. Even if he is able to play, he wouldn't be at 100%

 

Then again, some think Kevin Smith is garbage even when healthy.

 

That group tends to forget that Smith played hurt through much of 2009 with shoulder and knee injuries slowing him down and limiting his lateral mobility and ability to run through tackles.

 

Often, “sophomore slump,” becomes “average back with no upside” too quickly in the minds of football fans.

 

Matt Forte is a great example of a young back who, when used properly, was a phenomenal back. In his second year, the offensive line failed on a monumental basis and Forte shouldered an unfair share of the blame.

 

The Kevin Smith situation isn't much different. His line was horrible and he was injured. Other than those two “minor things,” Kevin Smith is a solid back.

 

But, the Lions still need help in the backfield and wouldn't turn away a running back if one fell to them.

 

Kevin Smith is neither a “power back” nor a “speed back.” At 100% healthy, Kevin Smith is a poor man's Pierre Thomas—a good all-around runner who can catch passes and block. Smith is best suited for a third down type role but in a situation where the carries are divided 60/30/10 with Smith getting 30% of the carries and a fair share of looks in the passing game.

 

Maurice Morris played extremely well in relief for Smith last season, but the Lions don't look at him as a number two or change of pace guy. The coaching staff looks at him, almost, as a second starter. As someone who is second in the rotation, but doesn't complement Smith as much as replace him.

 

Then there's Aaron Brown.

 

If Brown could ever get out of the dog house, he could probably find himself garnering Pro Bowl votes. Speed, decent size, agility, balance...Brown has all of the physical tools to succeed but was spoon fed offense at Texas Christian. His inability to handle an NFL playbook led to benching after benching in 2009.

 

So, if the Detroit Lions are looking for help, who will it be?

 

At pick number two in the first round, probably no one. CJ Spiller is the consensus “Best in Show” this year in the running back category but the greyhound-type back is less Chris Johnson than his supporters would love to believe.

 

Spiller is great in short bursts and can certainly change the game in one hand-off, but he's not going to carry the load CJ does in Tennessee..then again, the Titans drafted him with the same thoughts in mind. It is very unlikely Spiller goes to the Lions at number two, especially with Suh or McCoy on the board.

 

Then there's the trade down option—if Detroit can trade down to the 7-10 range, CJ Spiller would be a fine possibility. In fact, no offensive player (save possibly Okung) would be a better fit for the Lions in that range.

 

If the words, “there has been a trade...” comes at pick number two, “The Detroit Lions select CJ Spiller” should come a few minutes later.

 

What if there isn't a trade down from the second pick?

 

At number 34, the Detroit Lions have a couple of feasible options.

 

Ryan Mathews out of Fresno State is physically talented but a stiff runner—reminds scouts of Donald Brown. Mathews spent his collegiate career running in a zone blocking scheme, a scheme the Lions just 86'ed. My opinion on Mathews is that he doesn't create for himself, the talent is there but the instincts aren't.

 

The other option is Jahvid Best of California-Berkley.

 

In early March, Tom Kowalski of MLive.com posted an article suggesting Best might be a good fit. Later, on March 20, John Niyo of the Detroit News gave the same opinion. The reasoning is clear: the Best case scenario would be that the California Golden is a Darren Sproles-type back with the ability to gash between the tackles and hit the edge.

 

Personally, that doesn't seem like the most-likely scenario. At least not to this amateur scout.

 

The scariest thing about Jahvid Best is his injury history. One of the worst collisions in recent NCAA history was Best's against Oregon State as he dove into the end zone was was smacked into another dimension—ending his college season.

 

Another note of comparison has to be the recent history of California Golden Bear running backs. Jahvid Best is the next in line of running backs like Justin Forsett, Marshawn Lynch, and J.J. Arrington.

 

All of those guys had great college careers. Of the four, Lynch was a much better running back prospect coming out than Best is. Yet, none of those guys have lit the world on fire and none are starting running backs in the National Football league.

 

Most likely, Best wouldn't be either, but a complementary back.

 

If the Lions are gunning for Best, they have given up on Aaron Brown. The same can be said for Dexter McCluster or Joe McKnight.

 

Trading down from number 34 is likely, in fact, if the draft board falls as some think, it is a near certainty. The St. Louis Rams are set to draft Sam Bradford at the top of round one and would jump at the chance to draft his tight end—the talented Jermaine Gresham in round two. If Gresham isn't there, Arrelious Benn probably will be. The Rams could trade down, but pick number 34 might be the destination for teams following the first round.

 

If the Lions do trade down, Best would most likely be out of reach.

 

McCluster might be available and is a versatile player who would replace and upgrade Aaron Brown. It is true the Lions are trying to get faster but as the expense of durability? It is doubtful that McCluster would excel between the tackles in the NFL. However, the returning ability makes him valuable.

 

If the Lions didn't already have a similar player in Brown.

 

There isn't room on an NFL roster for two running backs who can't shoulder a full time rushing load and have the exact same skill set.

 

Toby Gerhart is an interesting possibility—more straight-line speed than he is given credit for and a phenomenal overall athlete. He is painted as a one-dimensional running back but was able to roll off several longer runs in college level and has legitimate 4.5 speed.

 

Whereas McCluster and Best can hit home runs on the outside, Gerhart may be able to hit them between the tackles as well.

 

Can he get to the edge consistently? Not as well as the others, no. But is stronger, and more durable—a solid rusher in the middle of round two.

 

Other names like Ben Tate, Montario Hardesty, Anthony Dixon, Jonathan Dwyer, and Joique Bell are all names that could be selected in the third round or later. Each back offers different skills and could certainly look good in Honolulu Blue.

 

Yet, all of this talk depends on one thing.

 

The board.

 

The Lions don't NEED a running back any more desperately than they need a myriad of other positions. If an interior lineman, cornerback, or safety is available, the Lions would pull the trigger on that prospect as well.

 

Michael Schottey operates Blue And Silver Pride and is a Detroit Lions featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also serves as a team correspondent for DraftTek.com and is a guest blogger for Mlive's Highlight Reel. Check out his Podcasts and add him on Twitter!