Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report
After Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs is the second-best running back prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. While he certainly has the talent to be an early pick, the low value of the running back position may push him down the board. Can Gibbs sneak into the first round?
Name: Jahmyr Gibbs
Position: Running Back
School: Alabama
Height: 5-foot-11*
Weight: 201 pounds*
(*unofficial)
Background
Jahmyr Gibbs enters the 2023 NFL Draft after his lone year at Alabama. Gibbs originally was at Georgia Tech, but his true breakout occurred with the Tide. He ran for 920 yards and chipped in seven touchdowns. Gibbs averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 2022.
A lot of what makes me excited about Gibbs is his pass-catching ability. This season, Gibbs tallied 44 receptions for 444 yards. In addition to this, the shifty back found the end zone three times as a receiver.
Gibbs’ ability to be a great safety valve for the Tide bodes well for his NFL projection. Alabama had a lot of offensive line issues this season and therefore Bryce Young had to quickly dish out the ball. Gibbs was an outlet who helped Young turn potential sacks into two or three yard gains.
Gibbs’ ability to use his speed in the pass game is definitely something that can translate to the next level. I have this little saying when it comes to Gibbs: when the quarterback is getting pressured, just dump it off to Gibbs for a quick little check down. Just like in this play.
Strengths: Receiving Ability, Speed/Explosiveness
I really love the speed of Jahmyr Gibbs. If you are able to get this guy out in space, just watch him fly. Whoever drafts him, I hope they run a lot of outside runs because there will be a lot of Gibbs’ highlights if that happens.
The other thing that I love about Gibbs is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. In today’s modern NFL, the running back must be able to space the defense out by running short, little routes out of the backfield. Gibbs did this well at Alabama and I expect him to do the same in the NFL.
Weaknesses: Tackle Breaking Ability
A lot of what I don’t like about Gibbs is that he will struggle to break tackles against defensive linemen at the first level of attack. Quite simply, right now Gibbs doesn’t have enough strength to break off tackles against edge rushers/linemen.
This is a skill that he will have to develop as he gets into the league. Great backs are able to carry offensive drives for a bit. Gibbs won’t be able to do that in his rookie year, which is a little unfair to ask of him anyway.
2023 NFL Draft Projection: Late 1st/Early 2nd
Where Jahmyr Gibbs goes will first depend on where Bijan Robinson goes. As of this writing, Robinson is the clear favorite to be the first running back taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. If the Ravens end up taking Robinson — as a lot of mocks have suggested — I would love Gibbs in an Eagles jersey (with their own pick, not the Saints’ pick).
Jalen Hurts could use a safety blanket and Gibbs would be a great answer. If he isn’t taken in the first round, I would love to see him in Houston with Bryce Young/C.J. Stroud and Peter Skoronski/Paris Johnson Jr. With the amount of draft capital the Texans have, I don’t see why they wouldn’t take him (even with Dameon Pierce) with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Honestly, I would love to see him in any of those two spots that I outlined. Gibbs is a guy who I believe will excel for your team if he is put in the right situation. Although this is a statement you could make about almost everyone in the draft, I feel that it is particularly true for Gibbs.