| 22 April 2010
The rumors from earlier today saying the Lions were interested in a running back turned out to be true...but they were about the wrong running back.
As the 1st round was winding down, we suddenly saw the Lions were on the clock! The Lions had traded back into the 1st round, giving up their 2nd, 4th and a 7th to the Vikings. The Lions received the Vikes pick at 30, and their 4th round selection.
With the 30th pick, the Lions drafted Cal RB Jahvid Best.
As expected, Mayhew followed his philosophy of drafting the the best player available. Best could legitimately be considered the best player left on the board, and possibly the best value pick of the draft to that point.
Why was a player of Best's caliber available? You may have seen the following clip if you had watched ESPN Sportscenter at any time this past fall...
Best suffered a severe concussion on the play, and it still could be a concern. He's also on the smallish side at 5'10", 199. But if the Lions are convinced Best has fully recovered from the injury (even though the Lions had issues with Ernie Sims' play, they had no issues with his noggin, though he had concussion issues coming out of college), he's one Hell of a good value being taken low in the 1st round, a nice way to fill what really was a pressing need at running back.
Best may have have been available if the Lions had remained at 34th overall, but Mayhew and crew obviously wanted him. He didn't want to risk it, so he pulled the trigger on a deal with a division rival. As we've learned in Mayhew's tenure as GM, he's NOT afraid of making trades. Which scores extra points from me. Pro sports are full of GM who refuse to anything remotely risky, even if it makes perfect sense...which this move does.
What does the arrival of Best mean to the Lions this season?
Best case, Best becomes the Lions feature back. The much more likely scenario is he splits time with Kevin Smith (if he's recovered frm his ACL injury), as the speedy Mr. Outside to Smith's more powerful Mr. Inside. The NFL is becoming, if it isn't already, a 2 back league after all. Worst case, Best becomes the 3rd down back.
There's one thing we know for sure.
Aaron Brown will be playing for another NFL team next year. The Lions just drafted a far, far better version of him.
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