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Detroit Lions’ first-round pick, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, expressed his confidence in having a highly productive rookie season in the NFL.
The 12th overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft, Gibbs is setting ambitious goals for himself, aiming to achieve the rare statistical benchmark of 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in his debut season.
Speaking with Michele Steele of ESPN, Gibbs stated, “Most definitely, especially with this system,” when asked if he believed he could reach the impressive milestone.
Achieving both 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards has become increasingly uncommon in the NFL, with many teams shifting away from featuring running backs as the focal point of their offenses.
Last season, only one player, San Francisco 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey, managed to surpass both 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the league.
As of now, Jahmyr Gibbs is positioned as the second-string running back on the Lions’ depth chart, behind veteran David Montgomery, who joined the team via free agency from the Chicago Bears this season.
It remains to be seen how many opportunities Gibbs will receive in the Lions’ offensive scheme.
There is optimism surrounding Gibbs’s potential impact on the team’s offense however. Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson recently hinted that the team has plans to utilize Gibbs in unexpected and versatile ways, suggesting that the rookie may play a significant role in their offensive strategy.