When the Detroit Lions made the bold move to select Jahmyr Gibbs, many questioned the idea of taking a running back 12th overall in today's NFL. Especially after making a free agent investment in David Montgomery.
Thus far in training camp, Gibbs has quickly shown he is the kind of game-changing talent who could elevate the Lions' offense sheerly on his own. Coming out of Alabama, Gibbs was known for his electric talent running the ball. He was also productive and well-regarded as a pass catcher, and that seems like his clearest path to a big immediate role.
Even within the at times overhyped context of training camp clips, Gibbs has shown what he can do as a receiver.
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs running routes at training camp pic.twitter.com/S1s9dgSW8T
ā Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) July 26, 2023
Jahmyr Gibbs is going to be very good and Iām very excited for his 2023 outlook. But what was this LB doing? š
ā Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) July 31, 2023
Gibbs had him so beat that he shimmied at the top of the route and still kept two yards of separation.pic.twitter.com/RvW4PK4izr
Jahmyr Gibbs brings a different level of explosiveness and versatility to the Lions' offense
Despite being a top-tier yardage and scoring offense last year, Detroit at times sorely lacked the ability to generate big plays. Gibbs can offer that, as a runner and receiver. The Lions clearly have plans to use him all over the field as an offensive weapon, and perhaps on the field with Montgomery at times. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will have his creativity as a play caller pushed toward its limits with Gibbs in the fold.
The Lions have some offensive weaponry around quarterback Jared Goff, with a deep receiving corps led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie Sam LaPorta in place as a upgrade to the talent level at tight end. Gibbs has lined himself up to be a key part of that equation through a week-plus of training camp, as pretty much expected, building important rapport with Goff in the passing game along the way.
There will be naysayers about Gibbs and where he was drafted until he shows them otherwise. But he looks ready to capitalize on the chances he'll get to be a key piece of good offense.