In recent years, NFL teams have swung dramatically in the direction of employing two-player tandems at running back. This is in large part due to the extremely short average career — let alone peak — of a running back in today’s game, making this strategic shift as much an effort to preserve the talent on the team as to find ways to maximize that talent.

Detroit has a heckuva talent in Jahvid Best. Unfortunately, Best hasn’t shown an ability to stay healthy, and with the aging (but still serviceable) Maurice Morris as the team’s only insurance policy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Martin Mayhew draft a running back this year to split time with Best. In fact, I’d be sorely disappointed if Mayhew didn’t take that route.

The Lions certainly won’t be drafting a skill position player in the first round — the needs on both lines and in the secondary are far more pressing — but fortunately for the Lions this draft is deep in the offensive backfield. Zac has already profiled Illinois’s Mikel Leshoure, a bruising back who would perfectly complement Best but will likely be off the board when the Lions pick in the second round, and Demarco Murray, a probable second-day pick whose skill set overlaps Best’s a little too much for my liking. While those two should be among the first four running backs off the board, there’s some potential middle- and late-round gems that I expect Mayhew will strongly consider. (more…)

The Honolulu blue and silver’s front office has done a steady job in the past few years of avoiding drafting a player that has the word “bust” tied to them and hopefully that trend will continue this year.  With 17 days until the first round of the draft the SideLion Report looks at the top five Detroit Lions draft busts in the modern era.

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Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 330 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 1/2 in.
Hand Size: 9 3/4 in.
40-yard dash: 5.46 sec
Watch his combine workout here

NFL.com combine profile overview:

Gilbert has the height, length and athleticism NFL teams are looking for in an offensive tackle. Could become a quality starter with some added power and attitude. Does a really good job in pass protection getting set, engaging with his long arms, riding ends past the launch point, or mirroring inside moves with his feet. Gets out of his stance quickly and can seal and wall off defenders when run blocking but isn’t a mauler. Not going to blow defenders off the ball and is susceptible to the bull rush. Awareness is adequate but still improving. Gilbert’s a mid-round prospect with upside to start.

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