AP PhotoA player such as USC's would come in handy on shortyardage situations.

Editor's note: This is one in a series of stories examining the Detroit Lions and the Julius Peppers Kids Jersey NFL draft. Today: Running backs. Tuesday: Linebackers.

ALLEN PARK One thing needs to be made clear: the Detroit Lions' interest in drafting a running back has nothing to do with their feelings Morgan Burnett Green Jersey about Jahvid Best.

The Lions traded up into the first round last year to draft Best, and they're still thrilled with that acquisition. Best scored five touchdowns in his first two games before turf toe injuries on both feet limited him the rest of the season. Best now is completely healthy and ready for a big season.

While Best will continue to be Detroit's feature back, touching the ball 20 to 25 times a game, he won't be the fulltime workhorse. The Lions are looking for a versatile runner, a guy with size who can run with power but also has some agility and speed to be an overall threat.

While the Lions have Morgan Burnett Kids Jersey excellent balance throughout their offense, that's not the case when it comes to shortyardage and goalline situations. The Lions don't have the thumper inside to move the pile, and that has allowed defenses to put more resources into their pass coverage.

Veteran Maurice Morris has proved to be a valuable backup player, not only in running the ball and receiving out of the backfield, but also in picking up blitzes. Morris, though, is on the last year of his contract and the Lions need to bolster their depth.

A FUTURE LION?Scouting report: The Lions aren't looking for a starting running back, but a solid player who runs with power and can be called on in shortyardage and goalline situations. The Lions, though, aren't looking for a fullback, either they want a guy who can spell starter Jahvid Best from time to time and can be a threat for some big gainers. Bradford seems to fit that bill for Detroit, but there's a problem. Because the Lions had to flip spots in the fifth round with Kansas City (going from ninth in that round to 23rd), there's a huge gap between Detroit's fourthround choice and its pick in the fifth round (107th to 154th). Will the Lions feel the need http://www.packersnflofficial.com/Nike-Sam-Shields-Jersey.html to pull the trigger on Bradford in the fourth round, or do they think they can wait until the fifth round and risk losing the player who would fit their need?

Some recent former draft picks Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown aren't expected to be in the mix this season, so the Lions need to fill some holes. Smith was not tendered a contract as a restricted free agent, so he'll move on, while Brown, despite his speed, doesn't fit into the team's plans.

One of the players who appears to fit exactly what the Lions are looking for is USC's who, at 6foot and 235 pounds, has the size the Lions want. He's a powerful runner who can get the hard yards, so he can fill that role, and also has enough speed to be a threat in the open field. He doesn't have great elusiveness, but the Lions are looking for a running back to fit certain roles in the later rounds, so there are going to be some packersnflofficial.com/Nike-Mason-Crosby-Jersey.html holes.

Daniel Thomas of Kansas State is another thumper, but he's tall (62) for a shortyardage runner and his running style might be a little too upright for the NFL level. At 228 pounds, he has power when he lowers his pads and also can help as a receiver out of the backfield. He could be gone by the time the Lions are looking in the middle rounds.

Two others to keep an eye on are Anthony Julius Peppers Jersey Allen of Georgia Tech and Mario Fannin of Auburn. Allen is 58, 230 pounds, and runs with violence, but his overall skills are hard to evaluate because he runs out of Tech's triple option (remember Jonathan Dwyer?).

Fannin, at 511, 228, is an ideal shortyardage back on third down because he runs through contact and he also is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.