Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
I guess the Lions saw rookie prospect Jahmyr Gibbs and told D’Andre Swift that “we don’t want to play with you anymore” (sorry for the bad Toy Story reference). The Lions drafted Gibbs 12th overall and then traded Swift away to the Eagles later on.
And it makes sense. Swift and Gibbs are similar types of players. They are both shorter, smaller backs who use their shiftiness and speed to make big plays. Swift was always a threat to take a run or short pass to the house, and they must believe Gibbs can do the same…if not more often than Swift.
The Lions could have kept their pick at the sixth spot but opted to trade back to the 12th. It seems like they had it all planned out in hopes of getting Gibbs. When asked about it, Detroit GM Brad Holmes said “I just thought that he was so explosive, he was so dynamic”. He went on to compare Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, saying Robinson is more of a workhorse back and Gibbs is more of a big play guy.
If that’s the case, it seems like the Lions may use the newly added David Montgomery as the main back and utilize Gibbs more on passing-downs and change-of-pace type of plays. Almost like how Jamaal Williams and Swift were utilized last season.
Obviously, the Lions have high hopes for Gibbs, who at that high of draft capital should see the field early this season. If he ends up anything like Alvin Kamara (who some experts think Gibbs is compared to), he will easily take over more work. Either way, Gibbs will be an enticing fantasy option. He could be great in PPR leagues as a flex type of player, and may even be a starter if he proves himself better than Montgomery. Add to that the fact that Montgomery is a bit older and more injury prone and you have yourself a potential league winner in Gibbs.
Jahmyr Gibbs NFL Draft Preview
Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t necessarily come into the combine with a ton of hype, but he has suddenly emerged as one of the top backs in the draft class. Gibbs, who has been compared to Alvin Kamara, has shown incredible athleticism in both the run and pass-catching aspects of the game, making him an elite threat in most offenses.
Gibbs started his college career at Georgia Tech, where he rushed 232 times for 1206 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 59 passes for 768 yards and five touchdowns. After his second year at Georgia Tech, Gibbs decided to enter the transfer portal. He became the highest-graded transfer at the RB position, and ended up choosing Alabama as his new home.
He only played one season for the Crimson Tide, but he was a dynamic part of the offense, rushing for 926 yards and seven touchdowns on 151 attempts. He also caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns (he just couldn’t score one more time to add another 4 in there huh?).
He was an All-ACC member in 2021 and was a semifinalist for the Maxwell award in 2022.
Gibbs is currently projected as a late first-rounder, although most likely he falls into the second round.
Measurables
- 5’9″ 199 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.36 seconds
- Vertical jump – 33.5″
- 10-yard split – 1.54 seconds
POSITIVES
If you are compared to Alvin Kamara or a “faster Deebo Samuel”, you probably can assume Gibbs has more positives than negatives.
Obviously, his speed is one of the top in the draft class, making him a big play threat on any play. This also makes him a dangerous option in the passing game and should open up a ton of space for the Quarterback. His breakaway speed means that most defenders if Gibbs gets by them, will not be able to catch him.
Gibbs led the Running Back position for broken tackles on catches, meaning he could easily break a tackle or two on his way to a long touchdown.
He has quick feet that allow him to make cuts and juke opposing tacklers.
Gibbs is one of the better route runners and pass catchers in this draft, which is pretty much a must-have if you want to be a workhorse back in the NFL.
Gibbs may not be the type to run over tacklers, but his elite speed, quickness, and pass-catching make him a potential day-one starter for most teams.
The more I watch Jahmyr Gibbs tape, the more I want Alvin Kamara Jr. in midnight green.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/eRcgNrkd4K
— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) March 4, 2023
NEGATIVES
Gibbs’ biggest knock is his pass blocking. He isn’t necessarily bad at it, he just also isn’t prolific. He isn’t great at picking up blitzes and overall needs to improve in that area of his game.
He also is a bit undersized for an NFL back, coming in at 199 lbs and 5’9″. At that size he may have issues breaking through the line of scrimmage on inside runs, and also may struggle to pass-block as mentioned above. His size means he could get blown up on blitz pickups as well.
With that said, Gibbs could see his role become more of a “change of pace” or “receiving-downs” type of role, which would hurt his fantasy impact.
GRADE – A
After really digging into Gibbs, it’s really hard to give him anything less than an A. I still believe Bijan Robinson is the top back in this class, but Gibbs is probably the better pass-catching back and could easily have just as good of a rookie season.
Gibbs has tremendous speed and pass-catching ability that make him a deep threat on any play, as well as a nightmare matchup for opposing linebackers.
Gibbs is another player who should make an impact early on, figuring he gets drafted by a RB-needy team.
Happily married father of two boys. I love all sports, although prefer watching them since I’m a wildly mediocre athlete. And that’s why I write fantasy football articles! I’ve been writing for Fantasyfootballcalculator for over six years now. Besides that, I enjoy watching Badger football and basketball even though it raises my blood pressure. In my downtime, I enjoy traveling with my family, playing video games with friends, and golfing.
