Ronnie Brown to Lions Trade: 4 Bold Predictions for Former Eagles RB in Detroit

Right before the 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles sent running back Ronnie Brown to the Detroit Lions for Jerome Harrison and a seventh-round selection in the 2013 draft. 

Who said there weren't going to be any moves today?

With Jahvid Best out with another concussion, this was a good move for the Lions, who are in desperate need of consistency from the running back position. He should be a major part of Detroit's offense as the season progresses. 

Brown Will Receive Between 14-18 Carries a Game

Yes, the Lions are a pass-first team—with Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson they should be. 

But the 49ers showed the rest of the NFL that Detroit can be one-dimensional on offense. Jahvid Best, outside of a long run against the Bears in Week 5, had been disappointing in his second season as the Lions' featured running back. 

They'll be able to score points, but they need to establish the run if they're going to make the playoffs and want to win in January. 

Brown is obviously a more experienced runner, and has the size to successfully run between the tackles. 

I expect Brown receiving anywhere between 12-18 rushes a game, and he should be used in the screen game as well. 

Brown Will Score at Least Four Touchdowns

The Lions will continue to utilize Calvin Johnson in the red zone.

Throw him the jump ball and it's almost a guaranteed touchdown.

However, with a legitimate runner with 36 career rushing scores on the roster, Jim Schwartz will be tempted to take the more conservative route inside the 20.

With 10 games left, Brown should amass more than four running touchdowns, and don't be surprised if it's more than that.

Brown Will Run for Between 500-700 Yards

Doesn't seem like a lot, but Jahvid Best was really struggling in the team's first six games.

Best simply isn't an every-down back that can be used on between-the-tackle run plays. Whenever he was in the game, the defense knew he would most likely be bouncing it outside.

If he did run up the middle, he wasn't big enough to gain a ton of yardage after contact with defensive lineman or linebackers.

Brown gives you that ability.

The Lions' offensive line isn't outstanding, and with the emphasis still on passing the football, you can't expect too much from Brown.

Brown Will "Win" One Game for Detroit

Expect Brown to pull one game out for the Lions.

Whether he breaks a long run that puts the nail in the coffin late, accumulates more than 100 yards against a good defense, or if he successfully wears down the clock when the Lions are ahead in the fourth quarter, he'll be the determining factor in at least one win for Detroit.

You can count on that.

Great deal for the Lions, who needed some running back help.