2. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahvid Best is a versatile athlete with high character and is quickly becoming a "go-to" guy in Detroit's offense. Matthew Stafford is a gifted second-year quarterback who will utilize all the skills Best has to offer. The young running back ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine, and when you watch him practice you see the speed on the field as a runner and receiver. Best really does understand the protection schemes, which are usually a downfall for most rookies. In fact, Best has said that his college team used most of the same protections and that he wasn't having any difficulty picking up the calls.
Looking back at Stafford as a rookie, he was surprisingly effective in his five-man protections, and that means the running back gets a free release. The more teams that double-cover Calvin Johnson, the more the check-down route to Best will be open. At Cal, Best caught 62 passes as well as averaging a whopping 7.3 yards per rush. It is very possible that Best could touch the ball 15 to 20 times a game this year. Veteran running back Kevin Smith is still recovering from a major injury last year, and he caught 41 balls in just 13 games last year. Best gets the majority of work in 2010, and that should mean more than 1,000 yards of total offense.
