RB Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

HT: 6-1, WT: 217, Born: 12-17-1986, College: Central Florida, Drafted: Round 3

2013 Projections

2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Kevin Smith got a lot of opportunities in this game to show how well he knows this offense and how much he can contribute to this team. Smith was the all-purpose back for DET, catching the ball well and rushing the ball to provide a legit rushing attack. He was also the unquestioned #1 RB in this offense on Sunday and was on the field a lot. The Lions threw the ball far more than they ran the ball, unusual for a team that was never far behind in this game. He was an explosive runner, finding the hole and bursting through for big chunks of yards at a time. Smith lost out an easy TD run early in the game on the goal line but later got his dues on another short yardage play, up the middle on the goal line for the score. Smith also scored late in the game on a dump off pass from QB Stafford on the goal line for the walk in touchdown. Smith isn’t the most talented RB in the NFL but could be one of the most productive due to the explosive offense that surrounds him and his position as the best RB that DET has to offer.

Week 2 - Kevin Smith had very limited running room to work with on Sunday night. The 49ers defense was stout against the run and swarmed to the ball very quickly. LB’s Willis and Bowman plugged the middle of the field well. Despite the early struggles on the ground, Detroit kept giving Smith the ball on the ground and he was able to weave his way for decent gains against the stingy 49ers defense. Detroit was determined to stay balanced and committed to the running game despite the fact they were behind for the entire game. Smith has never been the most talented back but was quick enough to secure decent runs on the ground when the small gaps in the defense were available. The 49ers played heavy pass defense formations with a safety over the top of Calvin Johnson for most of the day, which helped Kevin Smith get most of the yards he did on the ground. Smith had 7 man fronts to work with as Calvin drew most of the attention pre snap but the 49ers were quick to hit the hole and take Smith down once the play had been diagnosed.

Week 8 - Smith was finally active, the first time in weeks, but didn’t have much impact on the game. He did, however, receive one red zone carry, coming from the Seattle two-yard line, but was unable to punch it in as Stafford took the next two carries before scoring on the second. Leshoure had already exited with his ailment and following Bell’s red zone fumble from the week prior, the Lions’ coaching staff gave Smith the carry. Smith also had one reception on his lone target, but was a dump off on 3rd and long where he only picked up seven yards, forcing a punt.

Week 9 - Smith only saw three opportunities to run the ball and not much blocking on those three runs. He did make a nice move in the open field on his nine yard reception.

Week 11 - The Lions are bringing in Kevin Smith on 3rd and long to help provide extra protection against a potential blitz. He did have one carry in the 1st quarter though – a short four yard run off tackle that was called back because of an Illegal hands to the face by Green Bay.

Week 15 - Smith barely saw the field behind Leshoure and Bell and looked completely out of rhythm against Arizona. He surprised the defense on a screen play on third-and-long to get into field goal range in the first half, only to disappoint with his target later in the game. After drifting out into the flat, Smith actually finished his route out of bounds by the time Stafford targeted him. That blunder resulted in a missed third down and a Detroit punt.

Week 16 - Kevin Smith is a complete afterthought. Before halftime, Smith ran a wheel route and secured a four-yard gain. Smith’s small gain step up Jason Hanson’s second field goal.