NFL Trade Deadline: Getting Jahvid Best Insurance Is Magnificent Move for Lions

The most fragile back in the league is finally getting some backup.

The Detroit Lions traded Jerome Harrison and a conditional 2013 draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Ronnie Brown right at the trade deadline on Tuesday. The pick is believed to be in the seventh-round, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The move comes just two days after Best suffered his second concussion of the season. With his status against the Atlanta Falcons in question, the Lions had to make a move considering their backup Keiland Williams has only 49 yards on 19 carries.

Brown will likely be the featured back right off the bat if Best can’t go and should be able to provide more protection in the blocking game. Obviously he doesn’t have Best's speed, but the 1-2 punch is going to bring some balance to the lackluster running game. They Lions average 90.8 yards per game, which ranks 25th in the league.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert brings up a few more reasons why this move will work out well for the Lions, saying:

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He has always been an above-average receiver, a critical attribute in the Lions' passing offense and at 230 pounds is a much better power option than starter Jahvid Best. As a rookie with the Miami Dolphins in 2005, his offensive coordinator was current Lions play-caller Scott Linehan. And if the Lions have any plans to use a version of the Wildcat offense, Brown was the key component in the original scheme the Dolphins introduced in 2008.

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If nothing else, he can fill in for the oft-injured Best while he recovers from injury and get a few goal line and short yardage touches to get the tough yard the tiny Best can’t.

Brown, originally a first-round pick out of Auburn, has 13 carries for 38 yards through six games. With the stellar play of LeSean McCoy, Brown had become an afterthought. The 29-year-old Brown has amassed 4,853 yards and 36 TDs in his career.

All things considered, this move isn’t on the same level as Carson Palmer to the Raiders, but it does fill a need for Detroit without having to give up much of anything.

I’m pretty sure Lions fans will take it.