Kevin Smith has run his way to the top of the Lions' depth chart.

1/17 Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College

Cherilus has ideal size and frame, 6’7’’, 318 lbs, combined with the fact that he blocked for Matt Ryan in college. He’s also a complete beast in the run game, simply mowing through defenders as if they were blades of grass, at times. His one flaw? He is a penalty fiend. All throughout training camp and pre-season Cherilus has had his game riddled with penalties, raising concern about his focus.

2/14 Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado

Dizon was drafted with the intentions of immediately unseating current starting middle linebacker Paris Lenon. Up until now, however, he apparently hasn’t come “even close”. It’s gotten so bad, that Buster Davis is still ahead of him. If Dizon does end up taking over the middle, as expected, he could be big competition for tackles with outside linebacker Ernie Sims.

3/1 Kevin Smith, RB, UCF

Smith finished just 61 yards short of Barry Sanders’ career NCAA yardage record, but that’s where the similarities stop. While he’ll likely never be compared to Sanders again, he will at least be playing for the same team, as well as be the starter. Smith has a ton of upside, as well as good speed (4.4, 40 time) and the experience as an every down back. His 450 carries last season tell as many good things about him as they do bad.

3/24 Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State

He’s more one-dimensional than former starter Shaun Rogers, but he’s a much more effective pass-rusher. However, despite his athleticism and burst of the line, he’s quite a liability when it comes to run support. He will undoubtedly vie for playing time with Cory Redding, but his inability to dominate on the line against the run may hamper his progress down the line.

3/29 Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue

Avril’s statistics as in college aren’t exactly eye-popping, but neither is his competition for a starting gig. He currently has Jared DeVries and special teamer Corey Smith to contend with, which leaves a betting man to think Avril will be anchoring the line opposite Kalimba Edwards sometime this season.

5/1 Kenny Moore, WR, Wake Forest

Moore registered an extremely productive 98 catches to go along with five scores in his final season with Wake Forest. However, he projects as a slot receiver, rendering him expendable. Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald, fellow slot men, are way ahead of him on the depth chart.

5/11 Jerome Felton, FB, Furman

Felton isn’t a proto typical blocking fullback, but he’s big and runs like the mighty Thor. He was extremely productive in college, rushing for 63 of his 67 career touchdowns, immediately projecting him as a candidate for goal-line duty. Fellow rookie Jon Bradley was place on IR, making Felton the starter at fullback, effective immediately.

7/9 Landon Cohen, DT, Ohio

It appears Cohen’s big hits, The Big Lebowski and No Country For Old Men, won’t be enough for him to receive ample playing time. He’s firmly behind Shaun Cody, and it seems his best bet is landing on the practice squad.

7/11 Caleb Campbell, S, Army

Campbell was probably already a long shot to make the team, but his obligations to the Army trump any skill he displays on the field. If the Lions decide to keep his rights, they’ll have to sign him before the 2009 draft, or risk losing him as a free agent. I’m sure they’re racing in search of a pen…