Five Traits that Make Jahmyr Gibbs Elite Running Back
The Detroit Lions have revamped their running backs room heading into the 2023 season.
Two new faces have entered the picture. Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift are now playing for new organizations, and the Lions have since added David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to handle the workload.
Pundits were skeptical of the decision for the Lions to draft Gibbs No. 12 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Detroit seems to value his abilities, and has a plan for him to make an instant impact.
"Probably what’s most impressive about him is that he is a guy that can carry the football in multiple schemes and run the ball well. His burst, it shows on tape of course. But, you see some of the things he does that’s just natural that happens," said Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery. "He was very, very consistent, if you look at the tape from Georgia Tech moving onto Alabama. One thing that you see is he’s very tight on his tracks, which means that he was always where he was supposed to be. That’s really, really important, as we look at continuing to look at the process. I think he’ll continue to grow. Even his speed grew, as you look at his miles per hour on the field. He continued to mature."
Upon a review of several of his 2022 games at Alabama, it's not hard to envision him having success. Here are five traits that will make Gibbs an elite running back at the next level.
Home-Run Threat
Gibbs is dangerous any time he touches the ball.
Whether he's utilized as a runner or receiver, he has a knack for finding the open space and bursting toward it. He has dynamic speed that turns any small advantage into a breakaway.
In Alabama's win over Arkansas, he recorded two touchdowns of over 70 yards. Both were outside zone concepts, where he hit the hole and sprinted past the Razorbacks' line of pursuit.
Perhaps what's most impressive is that both of his long scores came in the fourth quarter. He spent most of the first three taking lumps from a physical Arkansas defense.
Yet, when the Razorbacks drew close, he put them away with a pair of devastating long runs.
Pro Football Focus utilizes its D15+ metric to measure designed runs that go over 15 yards. In 2022, he recorded 15 on 151 total carries.
His overall breakaway percentage was just under 10 percent. This indicates that he's truly a home-run threat.
Physicality
Despite measuring 5-foot-9, 201 pounds, Gibbs runs with a punch. He doesn't shy away from contact, rather he anticipates and embraces it.
Upon reviewing his film, one can see that he never stops moving. He pounds his feet upon getting the handoff, waiting for the smallest sliver of an opening.
Once he gets that space, he pounds through it with force. In 2022, he recorded 512 yards after contact, per PFF.
The Lions grew frustrated with incumbent D'Andre Swift's knack for pushing runs to the edge, rather than getting upfield.
Gibbs brings a different element. He anticipates the running lane opening, then accelerates through it. Once he begins moving north, he doesn't stop, and is willing to take a hit.
Gibbs will be a matchup nightmare
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson emerged as one of the league's most creative coaches last season. With Gibbs, he's got a unique piece for his puzzle.
Alabama lined him up all over the field last season. He was primarily in the backfield, but played 42 snaps in the slot and 45 out wide, per PFF, in 2022.
His ability as a pass-catcher allows him to be a threat on every snap. Linebackers in man coverage have a difficult time covering him, so utilizing him as a receiver out of the backfield brings an advantageous element for the offense.
Gibbs' footwork is sound. He's able to cut on a dime, and never stops accelerating. This footwork is part of what makes him so dangerous as a receiver.
For evidence, take into account a 26-yard reception against Vanderbilt. He takes a play-action fake, selling the run by getting to space.
He's left uncovered as a result, and makes the catch in the middle of the field. Using his speed and agility, he evades defenders in the open field, and gets the Crimson Tide into the red zone.
Vision
With his speed, the smallest gap can turn into a big gain for Gibbs. His eyes are a big reason why, as he has a knack for finding the open lanes.
One of his best traits is his field awareness. His big runs come as a result of identifying the cutback lane and racing past linebackers and safeties who are out of position.
With his sound footwork, he has the ability to jump-cut past a leaning defender. He attacks angles, which puts pressure on opposing defenders.
If a safety takes a poor angle, Gibbs identifies it and takes advantage.
Acceleration
Once the rookie finds a hole, he accelerates through it. He can get to full-speed in an instant.
He doesn't ease his way into his cuts, either. Gibbs can make a move and shift gears in the blink of an eye. He's got excellent control as a runner, which allows him to be so dangerous in space.
Once he gets through an opening, his speed reaches its top gear almost instantly. A good pursuit angle can limit his damage, but he doesn't often get caught from behind.
In all, Gibbs is a dynamic talent. His abilities offer shades of Alvin Kamara, who Lions coach Dan Campbell worked with during his time with the New Orleans Saints.
Time will tell if the rookie can have the same impact. Yet, it's obvious that he can have an impact in several ways for the Lions.
