Round 1a: RB Jahmyr Gibbs ( Alabama ) : Pick # 12 ( 2023 )

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2023 NFL draft: Detroit Lions pick Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs with 12th overall choice

Detroit Lions stun by picking Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall in NFL draft 2023

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This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions trade # 6 & # 81 to Cardinals for # 12, #34, & #168

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1773/lions-trade-81-cardinals-168

Mock Draft ( 2023) - DLF Members

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1760/mock-draft-2023-dlf-members

Lions have Picks # 6 and # 18 in the 2023 NFL Draft

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1681/lions-picks-2023-nfl-draft

NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1692/draft-preview-running-backs-2023

In the 'NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs ( 2023 )' thread, I expressed the following:

The range I can see Jahmyr Gibbs being selected is from around Pick # 19 to Pick # 55, the Lions second scheduled pick in Round 2. Based on most draft scenarios, I believe the Lions would select Gibbs with Pick # 45, if available.

Though I projected Jahmyr Gibbs to be selected by the Lions with Pick # 48 in Round 2, I'm not surprised at all that Gibbs was taken in Round 1. Having said that, I certainly didn't expect the Lions to draft Gibbs once the Lions traded down to Pick # 12. I thought the most likely selection, unless the Lions traded down again, was CB Christian Gonzalez. With CB Joey Porter Jr., CB Deonte Banks, or DE-Edge Lukas Van Noss, the player the Lions would end up drafting.

Clearly, the Lions brass had enough doubts that Gibbs would last to Pick # 18. The Lions very likely view Gibbs as a unique talent, who no one else remaining in the draft could duplicate or provide the overall value that Gibbs brings to the table. While I would have preferred the Lions drafting Gonzalez, who ended up being selected by the Patriots with Pick # 17 (they traded down from Pick # 14 with the Steelers), I understand and respect the choice of Gibbs at # 12.

In addition to Jahmyr Gibbs' rushing skills, he's a differential receiving RB. Gibbs should help significantly with the Lions not having Jamison Williams for the first 6 games of the season, while suspended by the NFL. Gibbs ran a 4.36 40 at the Combine and has the game speed that reflects his timed speed. Gibbs is a highly instinctive runner, in addition to his timed speed, cutting ability, and overall elusiveness. He has very good balance. To Gibbs' credit, he didn't fumble with Alabama this past season, after having 4 fumbles in his 2 combined seasons with Georgia Tech. Gibbs only had 1 dropped pass ( he had 44 receptions) as a Junior with Alabama, this past season. The Lions are going to have to manage Gibbs' workload, as he's only 5-9". 199".

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Lions GM Brad Holmes was really excited to land Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12

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When projecting the Lions being the team that would end up drafting Jahmyr Gibbs with Pick # 48 in Round 2, it's easy to see why the Lions highly valued Gibbs. The only surprise is the Lions ending up using a Pick as high as # 12 on Gibbs.

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The Lions throw an exciting curveball by drafting Jahmyr Gibbs

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It's worth keeping in mind that Brad Holmes was the then St. Louis Rams Director of College Scouting when the Rams selected Georgia RB Todd Gurley with Pick # 10 of the 2015 Draft. This is one reason why I thought Bijon Robinson would be at or near the top of the Lions Draft Board at Pick # 18, if he was still available, and why I thought there was an outside chance the Lions would draft Robinson with Pick # 18. I just didn't envision the Lions have as high a grade on Gibbs as it turned out to be the case, even believing the Lions would rate Gibbs higher than most or possibly even all, other NFL teams.

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Instant grade for the Detroit Lions selection of RB Jahmyr Gibbs

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Unless the Lions can get a trade offer for D'Andre Swift that's better than a late Round Pick or even worse an exchange of late Round Picks, I hope the Lions keep Swift for the 2023 season. With Jamison Williams suspended for the first 6 games, the Lions can definitely use all 3 of the team's top RBs.

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NFL Draft 2023: Round 1 Grades for Every Pick


12. Detroit Lions (via Houston)

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Strengths: Premier pass-catcher, elite top-end speed, effortlessly changes direction

Weaknesses: Plays hard but not a powerful back, can be overly patient when running between tackles

The evaluation of Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs is yet another example of looking at a running back prospect and seeing more value than the position traditionally warrants. Gibbs is a legitimate three-down back. He's even more valuable as a pass-catcher than a runner, though his ability to slice through traffic and accelerate can't be dismissed.

The 5'9", 199-pound Gibbs isn't as big as Texas' Bijan Robinson, and the SEC product never ran for more than 1,000 yards during his collegiate career, either. However, he never carried the ball more than 151 times in a season.

His 103 receptions over three years coupled with 4.36-second 40-yard-dash speed make him a serious threat and a major headache for opposing defenses. His 18 forced missed tackles going into Alabama's last four games led all running backs, per Pro Football Focus. He also posted the highest receiving grade among Power Five backs since the start of the 2020 campaign.

Gibbs knows the value he'll bring the moment he steps onto a professional football field.

"We do the most stuff on the field, as in running, blocking and catching, and sometimes special teams, too," Gibbs told reporters of the position at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We do a lot on an NFL roster."

The Detroit Lions made a baffling selection in Gibbs.

The forthcoming grade isn't an indictment of Gibbs' talent. As previously stated, he's an electric offensive threat. At the same time, the Lions already have D'Andre Swift in the backfield. The organization also signed David Montgomery this offseason.

While a player like Gibbs should be considered a general weapon, much like Bijan Robinson earlier, he's going to be a part-time player based on the current lineup.

Swift is a free agent after this season. But it's an overpay to use a first-round pick to replace a starting running back in 2024. Even when Swift's previous injuries are taken into account, the organization could have just re-signed Jamaal Williams, who ran for 17 touchdowns last season.

Multiple options existed for the Lions, and they chose the most baffling of the bunch.

Grade: D


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While Houston had Pick # 12 going into the draft, Arizona acquired the pick in their trade down with Houston from Pick # 3.

Jaamal Williams had plenty of value. However, Williams can't realistically dream of providing his team the speed, movement skills, and receiving impact that Jahmyr Gibbs can provide. David Montgomery is for the most part Jaamal Williams' replacement. Gibbs is an even higher end version of D'Andre Swift, who fortunately comes into the NFL with less injury history than Swift.

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The Lions were reportedly ready to draft Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 6 overall

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The trade down with the Cardinals was a good decision by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell when it was made. It's even a better decision based on Brad Holmes very likely rating Jahmyr Gibbs higher for the Lions than Bijon Robinson. Brad Holmes in essence inferred at his Post Round 1 Media session that the Lions would have taken Gibbs over Robinson.

www.detroitlions.com/video/holmes-on-drafting-gibbs-campbell

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Jahmyr Gibbs, highest-drafted Lions RB since 1989, savors meeting Barry Sanders

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The only times the Lions should even consider using Jahmyr Gibbs on Special Teams Returns is if the Lions season is on the line.

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Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs has 5th best odds to win OROY

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If Jahmyr Gibbs is relatively healthy for the vast majority of the season, he's probably going to make enough highlight reel plays to get serious consideration for Offensive Rookie of the Year, or at the very least 2nd place in the voting.

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The best quote on the Lions drafting RB Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12

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This thread relates to the following thread:

Lions 2023 Draft : Grades, Analysis, and Info

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1778/lions-2023-draft-grades-analysis

From the standpoint of positive impact over the course of the time frame of Jahmyr Gibbs' expected rookie contract with the Lions, Gibbs should rank amongst the best players in this year's draft crop. Having said that, it's less likely that Gibbs will be a high caliber player for the Lions as long as some players taken after Gibbs in Round 1 will be for the respective teams that drafted them.

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Projecting Jahmyr Gibbs rookie stats using two historical comps

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The Browns lost to the former Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1988 playoffs. The Broncos beat the Browns in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games.

In the 2022 season, D'Andre Swift had a 5.5 yard per rushing attempt, on 99 carries, for the Lions. Even factoring that it's more difficult to maintain a 5.5 yard Rushing Avg. on 99 carries than it would be on 137 carries, my expectation for Gibbs as a rookie is for him to have a rushing average at least 4.8 yard per carry. Especially, when considering the Lions Offensive Line is amongst the best all-around O'Line starting units in the NFL.

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Lions sign first-round RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions sign first-round pick RB Jahmyr Gibbs: 'I love how they use me here'

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Very good Lions news! Welcome to the Lions fold, Jahmyr!

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Jahmyr Gibbs thinks he can gain 1,000 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving as a rookie


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For Jahmyr Gibbs to accomplish the 1000 rushing yards/ 500 receiving yards this season and/ or any other season, he's going to have to remain relatively healthy at least much more often than not. With his supporting cast doing the same for the most part.

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Expect more touches for Jahmyr Gibbs going forward, per Dan Campbell

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This thread relates to the following thread:

Lions 21, Chiefs 20: Game # 1 ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1887/lions-21-chiefs-game-2023?page=1&scrollTo=8961

I understand Dan Campbell's reasoning not to overload a rookie in the first regular season game of his NFL playing career. Yet, Campbell mentioned he wanted players that previously took the load for us. David Montgomery, who had the RB load for the Lions in Kansas City, never had a snap in a game for the Lions, before this past Thursday Night. All of Montgomery's previous snaps in the NFL, were with the Bears.

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The Lions wanted Jahmyr Gibbs over Bijan Robinson, which looms large vs. Falcons

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This thread relates to the following thread:

Lions vs. Falcons preview: Game # 3 (2023)

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1902/lions-falcons-preview-game-2023

Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have a vision for the Lions. For the most part, the draft decisions they have made, beginning with the 2021 Draft, have worked out well. I'm optimistic that will continue to be the case. Holmes and his staff definitely have an eye for talent.

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Jahmyr Gibbs 'looked pretty good', should play vs. Ravens

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This thread relates to the following threads:

Lions at Ravens preview: Game # 7 ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1922/lions-ravens-preview-game-2023

Lions at Ravens Injury info: Game # 7 ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1921/lions-ravens-injury-info-game

If as expected Jahmyr Gibbs plays in Baltimore today, I think Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson have to be careful not to overuse Gibbs. It would be a major setback for the Lions if Gibbs reaggravates the hamstring or suffers a different injury that keeps him out for many games (or longer).