will never stop pointing out that “first-round running backs tend not to work out over the long run” isn’t settled a year and a half in. kevin jones, kevin smith, jahvid best and de’andre swift all looked like hits this early in
this is obviously not to say that i expect or want gibbs to be anything less than he currently is in three years, but i also thought 2.5 of those four guys were true game-changers and it just didn’t happen.
because running backs a bad investment 9+ times out of 10
i kind of agree—but again, if gibbs tears an acl in training camp next summer and misses all of 2025, and then only looks 82% as good in 2026, the lions probably decline his option and he probably plays somewhere else in 2027.
I think situation matters quite a bit here and probably more than we think it does (like QB). Those of us who have lived through the years of post Barry RB's have as much reason to be skeptical as anyone, but there's also an RB position reassessment happening across the league.
Similar to the Jack Campbell pick criticism that LB aren't valuable enough to be taken that high. Yet not hard to see Detroit's entire defense hinges on quality Linebacker play. I think some people need to reevaluate their draft value models and accept that picks aren't made in a vacuum.
it’s not about “living in fear,” it’s about having two eyes in your head and seeing every other top 15 running back not named saquon barkley flame out for the last 10 years
he’s a truly elite player. one of the three best in the league at his position. I do not care if he flames out, he’s already worth the pick. 31 touchdowns and almost 3,200 yards over two seasons.
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because running backs a bad investment 9+ times out of 10
that’s just how running backs work