It’s a little early to assume that either player has won the starting running back job for head coach Jim Schwartz in Detroit, but it appears that the Lions are leaning towards first rounder Jahvid Best over Kevin Smith in the early going.

The two running backs complement each other well. Smith, who is coming off a torn ACL injury, is more of an inside runner and at least at this point, is better in pass protection. Best, who missed the final four games of 2009 at Cal with a concussion and a back injury, can flat out fly. He ran a 4.35 at the scouting combine and is an excellent pass catcher.

If both players can rebound from their respective injuries, they could form a decent 1-2 punch in Detroit. Smith was ineffective last year when he was the lead back, but if Best can assume the full-time duties, then maybe the former Central Florida product will become more effective. It’s rare to see teams count on just one back these days, so both players should get plenty of touches in Scott Linehan’s offense.

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While the deal isn’t official yet, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Lions are on the verge of acquiring cornerback Chris Houston from the Falcons in exchange for their sixth round pick. In addition, the two teams would also swap selections in the fifth round.

The Falcons drafted Houston out of Arkansas with the 41st overall pick (second round) in the 2007 draft in hopes that he would pair with DeAngelo Hall to form a formidable duo in their secondary. But Hall was traded the following year and despite having the opportunity to gain extensive playing time as a starter, Houston just hasn’t been an ideal fit in Atlanta.

In Detroit, Houston will be able to play more press coverage, which should suit him better than the zone scheme that the Falcons run. He’s extremely athletic and if he can get his hands on a receiver at the line, he can be a decent cover corner. The problem is that he has massive issues trying to find the ball once it’s in the air and struggles playing in space, which is why he isn’t a fit in zone coverage. Still, he has all the athletic tools to succeed and if he winds up fulfilling his talent, he could be a solid No. 2 in the league.

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A deal between the Browns and Lions for defensive tackle Corey Williams might not seem like headline news, but it’s a trade that could inevitably affect the top of the draft.

Williams is expected to return to his former defensive tackle position after playing end in Cleveland’s 3-4 scheme. With Grady Jackson (whom the Lions signed to a three-year, $8 million contract last year) occupying the defensive tackle position next to Williams, there’s a chance that Detroit will pass on a DT at No. 2 come April’s draft.

That said, Jackson is also 37 year’s old, so the Lions might view Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy as his eventual replacement for 2011. Plus, Jackson isn’t an effective pass-rusher, so he could be replaced on obvious passing downs in order to give Suh or McCoy playing time in their rookie season before they took over as a starter.

But it would be interesting to find out that the Lions made this deal for Williams in order to go in another direction on draft day. They also have a huge need at offensive tackle and might target Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung at No. 2 instead of a DT.

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Lions’ GM Martin Mayhew entered the offseason knowing he had to acquire more talent in order to continue his re-building project in Detroit, which is why he has been busy over the last couple hours.

The NFL free agency period just kicked off, but already the Lions have agreed to terms with receiver Nate Burleson on a five-year, $25 million contract, which also includes $11 million in guaranteed money. The team also signed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to a four-year, $26 million deal according to ESPN.

Neither of these players will keep opposing coordinators up at night, but both should play significant roles for the Lions next season. Detroit has long needed a No. 2 receiver opposite Calvin Johnson and Burleson was productive in the Seahawks’ horrendous offense in 2009. He caught 63 passes for 812 yards and three touchdowns for Seattle, routinely outperforming T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the process.

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