2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, we’ll be profiling Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.

#1 JAHMYR GIBBS/RB ALABAMA – 5091, 199 (JUNIOR)

NFL Combine

MEASURABLES

THE GOOD

— High-end athlete with great top speed and short-area acceleration
— Loses very little speed while changing direction, very elusive as a runner
— Able to vary his speed and timing to elude defenders
— Versatility to line up as a wide receiver, speed and quickness translate to route running
— Natural pass catcher, sees the ball into his hands
— Highly willing in pass protection
— Good patience to the hole, and great acceleration through the hole
— High production of explosive plays in college
— Solid contact balance, able to avoid the big hit as a runner

THE BAD

— Questionable frame to be an every-down running back in the NFL
— Ineffective in pass pro, doesn’t see defensive stunts well
— His body and legs get moving at different speeds sometimes, leading him to stumble despite a lack of contact
— Not a lot of reps running in between the tackles

BIO

— Initially a four-star prospect from Dalton, Georgia who committed to Georgia Tech
— Just turned 21
— Played his first two seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to Alabama for his Junior season in 2022
— Played in 31 games
— Gained 2132 yards on the ground (5.6 avg) and 1212 through the air (11.8 avg) for 23 total scores in his college career
— Averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return scoring one touchdown
— 173 all-purpose yards in the Sugar Bowl returning from a minor ankle injury
— Received honors as a running back, receiver, and return specialist throughout his college career

TAPE BREAKDOWN

First, the biggest knock on Gibbs, and something that hurts his case on whether he can be an every-down running back and a workhorse within an NFL offense – his pass protection is below the line. In the clip below, he doesn’t see the linebacker blitzing in his face and ignores the golden rule of worrying about internal pressure first. His quarterback gets hit hard for a sack. When he is in position, he is willing as a blocker, but the size hinders him and the technique doesn’t help him overcome his size deficit.

While Gibbs is an excellent route runner and pass catcher as a running back, his body and legs can sometimes move at different speeds which you can see in this clip where he stumbles to no contact.

These two plays show of his surprisingly good contact balance and recovery after taking a hit. He spins out of what should be a tackle for loss and turns it into a big positive play. He displays great body control to keep his feet. The second play of the clip, he shows his creativity with the ball in his hands where he uses both his quickness and his toughness to avoid and break tackles for a huge gain. He is consistently dangerous when the ball is in his hands.

He is one of the better-looking route runners that has come out labeled as a running back in recent memory of the NFL Draft. He can change direction sacrificing very little speed and separates effortlessly. He also has nice hands and demonstrated no issues with drops in the several games I watched.

Finally, his breakaway speed is something special. He has the shake and enough toughness to put himself in position for explosive plays often and then there are very few that could beat him in a footrace. Watch in the clip below as he moves significantly faster relative to the defenders and he scores the touchdown despite a favorable angle for the defender.

CONCLUSION

Jahmyr Gibbs possesses first-round talent and if used in the right offensive system, he will be a real threat in the NFL. Even if you don’t employ him as an every-down workhorse running back, he can stay on the field every down by utilizing his versatility lining up as a wide receiver. His speed, quickness, and change of direction make him dangerous with the ball in his hands and the amount of explosive plays he generated in college were very high.

My pro comparison for him is Deebo Samuel because he can be used as an offensive weapon and moved all around the offense to create mismatches. An offensive system like the 49ers’ or the Eagles’ would be well suited to his skill set, for example. The Steelers won’t be in need of a running back early in the draft where Gibbs will go, but he will be a plus player for any organization that drafts him.

Projection: Late Day One/Early Day Two

Depot Draft Grade: 8.6 – Year 1 Quality Starter (1st Round)

Games Watched: at Arkansas (2022), vs Louisiana Monroe (2022), vs Mississippi State (2022), at Texas (2022), vs Auburn (2022)