Even Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t think the Lions would make him a Top-15 pick

Former Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs was completely shocked that the Detroit Lions took him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jahmyr Gibbs is an outstanding player, but the former Alabama running back going to the Detroit Lions at No. 12 was one of the most shocking developments in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Gibbs spent one season in Tuscaloosa after transferring over from Georgia Tech. The Dalton, Georgia native was a dominant player at times for the Crimson Tide, but he was very clearly RB2 on everyone’s draft board behind Texas’ Bijan Robinson, who went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8. Gibbs had a good feeling he would be a first-round pick, but even he was shocked when he went.

Keep in mind Gibbs did not attend the draft in-person in Kansas City, so this was out of left field.

"“Yeah, I thought like in the 20s because that’s where it is usually for running backs … I feel great. I didn’t know I would get picked as high as I did because running backs don’t get picked as high in this new age and new era of the NFL Draft, but it was pretty shocking to me. But I’m grateful for the city of Detroit.”"

Detroit initially had the No. 6 pick by way of the Los Angeles Rams from the Matthew Stafford trade. They moved back to No. 12 in a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, who initially moved back from No. 3. This No. 12 pick belonged to the Houston Texans at the start of the draft, but initially was the Cleveland Browns’ selection. Gibbs is now a Lion because of the Deshaun Watson trade.

The Lions also made an interesting pick at No. 18 in taking former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell.

Jahmyr Gibbs cannot believe he came off the board to the Detroit Lions at No. 12

Gibbs joins a backfield featuring the likes of D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery. With the Green Bay Packers trading away Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets earlier in the week, one could easily argue for the Lions being on the precipice of doing something they have never done before in franchise history: Win the NFC North. Of course, being counted on is untrodden territory for them…

With the way general manager Brad Holmes navigated the draft board on Thursday, let’s just hope these two questionable picks work out for them. He may have a great working relationship with head coach Dan Campbell, but Detroit needs to be a playoff team this year, man. Regardless, this dynamic Motor City duo has built a pretty solid roster all the way around, so they had wiggle room.

Ultimately, Gibbs can be an effective playmaker out of the backfield and in space for the Lions, much like he was at Alabama and Georgia Tech before that. However, this draft pick seems to have been done in haste after Atlanta took Robinson two picks after Detroit had initially moved back. Perhaps the running back position is not being devalued anymore? Running the ball is cool again!

It should be noted Detroit moved up to draft Alabama one-and-doner Jameson Williams last year.