Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs gets high praise from notable draft classmate

Despite a relatively slow start, followed by two missed games, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a fantastic rookie season. He finished 12th among running backs in yards from scrimmage (1,261) with 11 total touchdowns (10 rushing). He followed that with a touchdown in all three playoff games for Detroit.

All the "positional value" critics that came out after the Lions took Gibbs 12th overall in last April's draft have been put to bed. He is a budding star....or a star already. He and David Montgomery nearly gave the Lions dual 1,000-yard rushers this season.

Bijan Robinson was the most ballyhooed running back prospect in the 2023 draft, and he went to the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick. Despite all the constipation about being grossly misused by now former Falcons' head coach Arthur Smith, he did have a good rookie season himself (1,463 yards from scrimmage, 58 receptions, eight total touchdowns).

Bijan Robinson has very high praise for Jahmyr Gibbs

Robinson recently sat down with Complex Sports for a wide-ranging conversation. He was asked for his thoughts on new Falcons' coach Raheem Morris, the rumors about Bill Belichick possibly coming to Atlanta, his Super Bowl pick, etc.

After being asked where he saw himself among the best running backs in the league after his rookie season, and giving an answer along the expected lines, Robinson was asked to rank his top five running backs in the NFL. Excluding himself, of course. It was an interesting list.

"I would say obviously Christian (McCaffrey). I'll say Breece Hall. I like Kyren Williams this year, I'll put him up there. And just even how Zac Robinson used him and then I'll put Jahmyr (Gibbs), that's my dog. I'll put him in there and then you said not myself, so I'll probably say Derrick Henry."

For anyone to put Gibbs among the top-five running backs in the league already is eye-opening. For Robinson, a notable draft class peer, to do it hits a little differently than if anyone else did.