The Detroit Lions shocked a lot of people when they used one of their first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Selecting running backs high in the draft is rare nowadays, but the Lions pinpointed him as their guy last year.
During his rookie season, his explosiveness and incredible playmaking ability were on full display. The coaching staff had a plan for him and by all accounts, they executed it perfectly.
Splitting time with veteran David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t have to carry the weight of the whole backfield on his shoulders. He carried the ball 182 times, gaining 945 yards with 10 touchdowns.
In the passing game, his greatest impact was made. He caught 52 passes for 316 yards and one score.
Jahmyr Gibbs is the clear third-down and passing back in this tandem. Heading into Year 2 of his career, it is a question of how much more involved in the running game will Dan Campbell get his emerging star?
Given where he has landed in some Fantasy Football rankings, it is fair to presume that the assumption is that Jahmyr Gibbs will be getting more work. Over at The 33rd Team, the Detroit Lions running back came in at No. 4 in their positional rankings.
He is the top-ranked player in their second tier of running backs, someone Fantasy Football managers can rely on as their RB1. The only players ranked ahead of him and considered first-round talents are Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall.
“The best strategy this year is to wait on running backs until Rounds 2 and 3. That is where the value lines up with the talent level. In other years, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor would be locked as first-round picks.
However, with so many elite receivers going in Round 1, just wait and grab one of these studs at the top of Round 2. Gibbs offers more PPR upside than Taylor, but Taylor is fully healthy and threatens to lead the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns,” Marcus Mosher wrote.
Given his involvement in the Detroit Lions passing game, Jahmyr Gibbs is a relatively safe option early in Fantasy Football drafts. That provides him with a good floor and he is one Montgomery injury away from being right in the mix with McCaffrey, Robinson and Hall as the presumed No. 1 running back this season.
