The selection of Jahmyr Gibbs drew much mockery and laughter from many of the usual places. Rival fans, draft experts, and network talking heads were quick to deride and once again criticize the Detroit Lions.
‘Same old Lions,’ they yelled as Brad Holmes and his team drafted a running back (and not even the best one) with the 12th overall pick. A slow start created more negative headlines and mockery.
However, Gibbs and the Lions have flipped the script. The electrifying rookie is arguably the Lions’ most explosive offensive player.
Gibbs Is Making History
Following another 100 yards from scrimmage in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings, Gibbs is now the third rookie with over 1000 scrimmage yards and ten touchdowns. The Alabama product joins Barry Sanders and Billy Sims in that club.
Gibbs has improved every week. The Lions coaching staff are putting more on his plate, and the rookie is responding. Gibbs played 58% of the snaps against the Vikings. On the Lions’ two second-half touchdown drives, Gibbs touched the ball 12 times. Gibbs also played ten pass block snaps, scoring a 73.7 Pro Football Focus grade.
His workload and involvement are increasing, and the Lions’ offense seems seconds away from a positive play whenever Gibbs is on the field.
A Walking Explosive Play
Following the pick, everyone in the NFL wanted to question Detroit’s thinking. Brad Holmes provided an answer in the summer:
“And being able to add Gibbs, he’s just so dynamic as a receiver. Look, he’s a home run hitter as a running back; that’s the easy part. What he does as a receiver — he runs routes like a receiver.
Holmes also compared Gibbs to a big name:
“And just from a scouting standpoint, when Christian McCaffrey came out, he was the last guy that I was like, ‘Holy cow, this guy can run routes like a slot receiver but also run it.’ So, you start getting reminders of those players. I’m not sitting here saying Jahmyr Gibbs is one of those players, but (he’s) just a special weapon like that. We have a lot of excitement and optimism.”
Gibbs has backed up all the promises and expectations; he is 10th amongst running backs in EPA per rush and second in explosive play rate with a percentage of 13.6%. Gibbs is second in yards-per-carry and eighth in rush-yards-over-expected. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has already tipped Gibbs to compete for the MVP in 2024.
Against Minnesota, the electrifying rookie showed off more of his ferocious speed and ability. Gibbs burst through the hole on one run before juking Akayleb Evans into another dimension. His footwork, stop/start explosiveness and speed have tremendously boosted the Lions’ offense.
The Lions’ offense looked more potent whenever Gibbs was on the field against Minnesota. Detroit wanted an explosive playmaker. They wanted their Todd Gurley or Alvin Kamara. They got it with the 12th overall pick.