Kevin Smith (1 Viewer)

[B Maverick]

Looking for thoughts on Kevin Smith. Is he a long term answer at RB for Detroit? I mean beyond this year? Or does being in Det kill him like those that disappear into the black hole in Oak?

Would you run with him for the next three years as RB1, 2 or 3?

I am not sure myself. Detroit is a mess and I dont believe Culpepper will help anyone at QB. Does he have the talent to overcome? Can Det turn it around and have any value? Do they draft a back again next year or continue the Rudi Johnson experiment??

 

[r0llin_game]

I'm pretty sure Kevin Smith is the future RB in DET. Past couple weeks he's looked alot better than earlier in the year and seems to be winning the job back over Rudi.

 

[travdogg]

I think he's their immediate future, in the long run I don't think he's talented enough to hold off all comers. I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions drafted a RB in the 1st or 2nd round next year, but a lot will depend on who their GM and head coach are. I highly doubt Marinelli makes it to next season.

I'll call Smith a borderline RB3 for a dynasty team, similar to a guy like Earnest Graham only younger.

 

[Boone22]

I actually traded for him in a Dynasty league. Some might say I overpaid (Chad Johnson + a mid to late 2nd round rookie pick) but if you look at his numbers he's actually producing when he gets the opportunity. The problem is with all of Detroits offensive and defensive problems he currently doesn't have much opportunity. He's averaging 4.4 YPC and 3 to 4 catches a game in the Detroit offense. If Rudi starts to get phased out (with his 3.4 YPC), Kevin Smith could easily start producing number similar to Matt Forte who is currently averaging 3.8 YPC.

 

[thevidon]

I had Kevin Smith as my #4 RB before the draft this year. He is quite a talented back, and has great field vision. He is capable of carrying the ball 30 times a game without really wearing down which is unusual. In college he had one game where he had 42 carries.....if you watch the game tape his last run looked just as strong as his first. It was impressive.

He is also very young, at 21. The Lions will build around him if they are smart, so he should have RB2 value next year and beyond.

But nobody ever said the lions were smart.

 

[MSULions]

I've been nonplussed by Smith from the get go...but he has looked very good the last few weeks and I think he may end up surprising a lot of people over the next few years. He looks to have great vision, a lot of strength, and most importantly cares about winning. He gives everything he has every sunday...which isn't easy to do in Detroit.

 

[zamboni]

a lot will depend on who their GM and head coach are.

This is a critical factor and shouldn't be minimized. Smith may still get a shot, but new coaches/GMs often go out and get their own guys.

 

[Pauli Walnuts]

I had Kevin Smith as my #4 RB before the draft this year. He is quite a talented back, and has great field vision. He is capable of carrying the ball 30 times a game without really wearing down which is unusual. In college he had one game where he had 42 carries.....if you watch the game tape his last run looked just as strong as his first. It was impressive. He is also very young, at 21. The Lions will build around him if they are smart, so he should have RB2 value next year and beyond. But nobody ever said the lions were smart.

I seriously doubt the Lions draft a RB early next year...just too many needs elsewhere. I like Smith a lot going forward as he is a 3 down back. He's a natural pass catcher out of the backfield and runs hard between the tackles.

 

[footballgeek]

a lot will depend on who their GM and head coach are.

This is a critical factor and shouldn't be minimized. Smith may still get a shot, but new coaches/GMs often go out and get their own guys.

A good hire will build in the proverbial trenches O and D lines. Most likely and typical Lions will just draft a RB or QB high.

 

[trader jake]

I actually traded for him in a Dynasty league. Some might say I overpaid (Chad Johnson + a mid to late 2nd round rookie pick) but if you look at his numbers he's actually producing when he gets the opportunity.

I came to the same general conclusion as you and feel he's a good add right now. Many owners took Smith with a top 5 rookie pick but are now willing to move him. Many selected him in front of rookie RB's that are producing better numbers and that may diminish Smith's value in their eyes...enough to swap him for something they need for a playoff run at least.

He is also very young, at 21. The Lions will build around him if they are smart, so he should have RB2 value next year and beyond.

I seriously doubt the Lions draft a RB early next year...just too many needs elsewhere. I like Smith a lot going forward as he is a 3 down back. He's a natural pass catcher out of the backfield and runs hard between the tackles.

Didn't realize he was that young. I agree with the assessment that he's a natural pass catcher and that should add some hidden yardage value if he eventually earns full-time duty. How has he looked in goal-line situations?

A good hire will build in the proverbial trenches O and D lines. Most likely and typical Lions will just draft a RB or QB high.

This seems like an obvious way for the next GM of the Lions to go. Detroit has some talent but they just consistently get beat in the trenches. I read a while ago that Gosder Cherilus was struggling but I haven't read anything recently. What's the word on their 1st round offensive lineman?

a lot will depend on who their GM and head coach are.

This is a critical factor and shouldn't be minimized. Smith may still get a shot, but new coaches/GMs often go out and get their own guys.

This is the single biggest concern I have an a Kevin Smith owner - GM's like 'their guys'. I'm hoping that they agree with our trenches discussion above and add some more big ugglies to improve the physical play of the team.

 

[GoRaiders]

In a keeper league I would be running out to get this guy now. His value is waaaay too low right now, so you can secure him for the future for cheap, and he is a decent flex player. In ppr he is avging 12 pts per, which is reasonable. He is my #5 RB, so he has never seen my lineup, but I got 2 hurt RBs this week, so he actually might find his way to the flex spot.

 

[red stripe]

I think Kevin is the near term future, he is looking like a back that is comfortable in the zone scheme and has enough talent to hold down the spot and durabilitiy to be an every-down back.

That said he plays for the Lions and I don't think anyone would consider him an elite talent. So I see his ceiling as a decent #2 but most likely in the RB20-25 range for the next few years.

As said I doubt RB will be a huge priority for a new coach given that both lines are old and aging and the Lions suck at almost every other position.

 

[Bermuda_Chub]

Agree with much of what's been written here. When I scouted him in the preseason, he looked like total garbage and I avoided him in all leagues. This prognosis held true. But recently, he's really caught my eye on a few runs here and there. I would not be adverse to signing him with an eye towards next year, as the Lions figure to have a plumb schedule and the draft picks and resources to dramatically improve their O-line in the off-season. He definitely has the potential to be a valuable every-down back.