(cbssports.com)The Detroit Free Press reports Lions rookie RB Jahvid Best could see time on kickoff returns in addition to being the starter this season. The Lions plan to use Best in several different ways, hoping he can do everything from break explosive runs out of the backfield to make big catches from the slot. They also had him returning kicks Thursday. "He's working there, and he did that at Cal," coach Jim Schwartz said. "I think there's a lot of ground to be covered before we actually return a kick this year, but yeah, he'll definitely be in the mix." Best had a lengthy injury history at Cal. Given his value on offense, do the Lions want to risk exposing him on special teams? "It really depends on his offensive role," Schwartz said. "It's really not so much an issue of fear of injury. You can say that about every position on the field, kickers included. There's a chance that you can get hurt on every single play. You can't let that dictate a guy's playing time and everything else. I think the biggest thing is what his role is on offense, who else is returning, and doing what's best for the team in that regard, not worrying about injury."
Analysis: We expect Best to start, especially if Kevin Smith is limited by his knee injury to open training camp, and Smith is a candidate for the PUP list. Keep an eye on if Best is used as a return man because that could increase his injury risk, but we expect him to be solid in his rookie year. He is worth drafting as early as Round 4 or 5 in seasonal leagues, and Best should be considered a first-round pick in all rookie-only drafts.
The Lions would be nutz to use Best in the return game, absolute nuts if they use him there before Kevin Smith is 100%.
