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A tip of the hat to NFC West colleague Mike Sando, who flagged the latest offering from a fellow known as AdamJT13 -- a blogger who has gained some cyber-fame for his ability to predict the NFL's awarding of compensatory draft picks.

The league has never publicized the formula it uses for this program, which gives extra selections to teams that lost more talent than it gained in free agency the previous year. The picks can be as high as the third round and as low as the seventh. I won't overwhelm you with too many details, but in general AdamJT13 -- whose true identity is unknown -- believes it is primarily based on the average annual value of the contracts in question.

Here is AdamJT13's personal blog, which lays out his methods.

Now, for the moment you've been waiting for: AdamJT13 predicts two NFC North teams will net extra picks when the NFL announces the results later this month.

Chicago Bears (3)

• Players lost that impact formula: Bernard Berrian, John Gilmore, Brendon Ayanbadejo
• Players gained that impact formula: None
• Rounds: One in 4th (or possibly 3rd) and two 7ths

Detroit Lions (2)

• Players lost that impact formula: Damien Woody, Boss Bailey, T.J. Duckett
• Players gained that impact formula: Brian Kelly, Michael Gaines, Chuck Darby
• Rounds: Two in 7th

As they transition to a more balanced offense, it's clear the Detroit Lions aren't totally satisfied with their backfield depth.

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson reports the Lions hosted Oakland running back Lamont Jordan on a visit last week, making at least two veteran runners the Lions have looked at this summer. The other was their former tailback, Kevin Jones, who held a workout June 28 near Detroit.

As of today, veteran Tatum Bell is the Lions' most likely starter. Rookie Kevin Smith will get plenty of repetitions in training camp. Other running backs on the roster include Aveion Cason, Brian Calhoun and Artose Pinner.

But after releasing Jones and bidding farewell to T.J. Duckett, the Lions certainly have some questions at the position. It's not clear how much interest the Detroit has in Jordan, who remains under contract with the Raiders. At the very least, however, the Lions are gathering information on their options should their current group prove underwhelming during training camp.

It's an especially critical position for the Lions, who are re-emphasizing their running game under new coordinator Jim Colletto. Bell has experience in Colletto's zone running scheme, having played in a similar system in Denver from 2004-06. Otherwise, the Lions don't have a lot of past production on the roster.