The Lions have a mish-mash of running backs competing for a starting job this season.  6′0″, 301 pound Jon Bradley appears to be the leader right now for the job.  He is like having an extra offensive tackle in the backfield.  Bradley has played in 15 games (6 starts) for the Lions last season and he carried the ball 5 times for 8 yards (1.6 ypc).  He also caught 2 passes for 10 yards (5.0 avg).  Bradley has now played in 41 games (9 starts) in his NFL career but last year was the only season he touched the football.

Jerome Felton might be able to win the starting job this season as a rookie.  He is 6′0″, 246 pounds so he should be able to handle the pounding in the NFL.  But, it’s a huge leap from playing at Furman to the NFL.

6′5″, 265 pound Sean McHugh is a converted TE who will add a threat out of the backfield in the passing game for the Lions.  He played in 15 games (12 starts) with the Lions last season and he caught 17 passes for 252 yards (14.8 avg).  McHugh is definately big enough to handle the fullback job and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won it.  McHugh has now played in 25 games (14 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 20 passes for 277 yards (13.9 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C-