Detroit Lions' 4 Best Backfield Options After Jahvid Best, Backfield Injuries

The Detroit Lions need running back depth and the team is looking for one via trade.

As reported by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:

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Lions traded for CB Kevin Barnes Mon and may not be deal dealing. Teams say Detroit GM Martin Mayhew making calls looking for a RB

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 28, 2012"

This is smart for the Lions, because according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, ball-carrier Jahvid Best has been put on the PUP list:

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Because he's been inactive so long, the news Monday that running back Jahvid Best will start the season on the reserved-physically unable to perform list didn't send waves of grief or shock through the Lions locker room.

"

With that, let's check out some running backs who Detroit should pursue to add some much-needed depth.

Brandon Jacobs, 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers don't need Brandon Jacobs.

With Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and rookie LaMichael James, the 'Niners are set in the backfield and Jacobs will rarely see the field—even in short-yard situations.

He is, however, a nice fit for the Detroit Lions between the tackles.

Jacobs in the backfield allows the Lions to line up in heavy sets, while Calvin Johnson remains out wide as the lone receiver. Detroit can present a split-back set or the I-formation with Jacobs and Mikel Leshoure to really control the line of scrimmage.

This only makes play-action more prevalent and when Kevin Smith shares the backfield, a defense's entire focus won't be on limiting his production. After all, Jacobs may be 30 years old but he still accounted for 879 total yards and nine touchdowns including the postseason last year.

No, he's not threatening enough to be an every-down back. However, Jacobs is a viable option on third down and inside the red zone with his size, acceleration and power.

Knowshon Moreno, Broncos

Much like Jacobs in San Francisco, the Denver Broncos have no need for Knowshon Moreno.

Despite the already aged Willis McGahee, the Broncos can also direct more carries to rookie Ronnie Hillman and Lance Ball in 2012.

Moreno is flirting with being labeled a bust after the 2011 season where he played just seven games and totaled only 280 yards and one score. Still, he did display promise as the No. 12 overall selection in 2009 when he compiled 1,160 total yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie.

In 2010, Moreno then had another decent year with 1,151 total yards and eight scores through 13 games. The downside was that he never truly developed as a No. 1 back and it wasn't surprising to see McGahee shine last year.

His contributions to the Lions, though, would help alongside Smith more than Leshoure.

Moreno is a serviceable dual-threat back and has the athleticism to make plays out of the backfield. In split-back sets with Smith, defenses will mainly have a linebacker spy on Moreno while gearing the coverage toward Johnson.

Play-action to Smith and fake swing passes will at least get a defense to flow somewhat in that direction. As long as Moreno gets put against a linebacker in the open field he can move the chains.

Delone Carter, Colts

Another guy who is expendable is Delone Carter of the Indianapolis Colts.

Indy has an array of ball-carries in rookie Vick Ballard, Donald Brown and Mewelde Moore, so Carter will be significantly limited.

In Detroit, however, he would be a solid option in the trenches.

During a four-game stretch when he was relied on the most, Carter gained 202 yards on 45 carries and averaged nearly 4.5 yards per attempt. This came against the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans, all of which had much better defenses than Indy's offense.

Next to Leshoure in any goal-line situation, the Lions would smash between the tackles.

Carter's size of 5',9", 238 pounds allows gives him a low-center of gravity advantage and makes a play fake significantly more difficult to read. This just helps Johnson on a fade route and provides the Lions with another competitive advantage.

No defense would be able to zero in on Carter or Leshoure when facing a short-yard situation either. A quick dive up the gut for example becomes more effective with two big backs, so the reaction time of the linebackers would take slightly longer in reading the play.

Chris Ivory, Saints

Chris Ivory is the best option for the Detroit Lions right now.

For one, the New Orleans Saints—much like the rest of the teams here—have an overload of running backs to feed the rock.

Darren Sproles is their best ball-carrier while Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas have proven to be reliably effective when utilized. Ivory has also been reliable, but he was given the least opportunities in 2011.

What's impressive about Ivory, though, is that he takes full advantage of each carry.

In 2010, Ivory amassed 716 yards on only 137 carries which comes to 5.2 yards per attempt. Last season he was given just 79 carries but collected 379 rushing yards which averages to 4.7 yards each touch.

Now much of that production came against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, but the guy has proven to be quite efficient. Along the same lines as the Saints, this is exactly how the Lions can use Ivory but at a higher capacity.

He'll be excellent in any two-back set with Smith or Leshoure on any down-and-distance, and has the size to help pass protect. Detroit's offense is nearly complete and Ivory simply helps fill an important role.

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