Jahmyr Gibbs: Late Second Round Role Player

There is a lot of excitement surrounding Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs, but he doesn’t fit the traditional starting running back role in the NFL.

After evaluating 10 games spanning two seasons (2021 and 2022), I am concluding Gibbs is a tweener between a running back (RB) and a slot receiver. In fact, I like him better as a receiver than a running back.

Gibbs has the acceleration of a sports car, but he has a tough time getting out of the garage as a runner.

In this most recent 2022 game film study, he bogged down at or near the line of scrimmage way too often while being subbed in and out of the lineup.

He also didn’t have what it took to win the edge even at the college level, which provides no hope he will be able to do so in the NFL.

I do like Gibbs more than Texas RB Bijan Robinson for these reasons:

Gibbs has acceleration Robinson does not show, and he is a harder, more energetic runner.

Gibbs offers more playmaking upside at the next level.

Getting Gibbs out of the driveway

Gibbs’s favorite way to get out of the backfield is hitting the gap between the right guard and tackle.

This is when he shows off that coveted burst of acceleration and he’s off to the races. Unfortunately, he did not show the ability to outrun defenses (couldn’t even outrun Utah State’s defense on a breakaway run), but he was able to pick up nice chunks of yardage.

Outside of that, Gibbs lacks the pure speed, power, and elusiveness to even get going as a running back.

Receiving

This is where Gibbs shines and shows off his hyper athleticism and quickness once he has the ball in his hands out in space.

This Alabama draft prospect has dependable hands and he does a heck of a job letting the quarterback know he’s available at all times, as a safety valve.

He’s not a home run hitter in space, but he hits his share of “doubles” catching the ball.

The only thing I didn’t like was he went out of bounds too easily.

Luxury pick

I went into this evaluation with the thought of possibly moving him up into the first round, but I can’t do it.

Gibbs was a role player for Alabama, and I can’t see that changing in the NFL.

He would be an ideal late second round pick for a playoff caliber team looking to add another offensive weapon to their arsenal, much like Buffalo did last year when they selected James Cook (Georgia) at the end of the second round (No. 63).

#1 Jahmyr Gibbs 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Bust Probability: Low

Projected by 36.7% (down from 42.1% on January 4) of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 31, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous game film evaluated in prior articles: (2021 playing for Georgia Tech #1): Virginia, Clemson and Northern Illinois (2022 playing for Alabama #1): Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi State

2022 game film viewed for this evaluation: LSU, Texas, Ole Miss, and Utah State

Level of Competition: High

2021 rushing stats: 143 carries for 746 yards (5.2 avg.), 4 TD, 71 long

2021 receiving stats: 36 receptions (47 targets and a 77% catch rate) 470 yards (13.1 avg.), 2 TD, 77 long

2022 rushing stats: 151 carries for 926 yards (6.1 avg.), 7 TD, 76 long

2022 receiving stats: 44 receptions (56 targets and a 79% catch rate) 444 yards (10.1 avg.), 3 TD, 60 long

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Hyper energetic and athletic runner who needs space created for him to be effective as a runner and as a receiver. Subbed into the lineup as a rotational offensive weapon. Bogs down a majority of the time as a runner in the box between the guards. Not elusive at or near the line of scrimmage. Didn’t show the pure speed to win the edges. Most productive in the B4 gap. Shows quick burst of acceleration in space. Selfless and excellent in blitz pickup when he stays in during pass plays. As a receiver has sure hands and a solid catch radius. He’s also an accomplished route runner and showed he can overcome the first defender. Viable offensive weapon.

Final words

His acceleration keeps him from dropping into the third round.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.