Jahmyr Gibbs was one of the most exciting running backs in the NFL last year. After being drafted 12th overall by the Detroit Lions, fans had sky-high expectations for the Alabama running back. He did not disappoint in his rookie season. While he got off to a slow start, his explosiveness wowed fans in the second half of the year.
The Detroit Lions come into 2024 with high expectations, and Gibbs now has a year under his belt. With his dual-threat nature, could Jahmyr Gibbs be the top-scorer in fantasy football next year?
Jahmyr Gibbs 2023 Stats and Fantasy Production
Jahmyr Gibbs played in 15 games last year. He had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage during his rookie campaign. The rookie had 945 rushing yards and ten touchdowns to go along with 52 receptions for 316 yards and a touchdown. He did have one fumble lost during the regular season. FantasyPros ranked him as the RB8 last season.
In terms of fantasy points, FantasyData said he averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game last year. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. His first four games left fantasy managers worried. In weeks one through four, he only averaged 6.1 fantasy points per game. From week seven through the end of the season, he averaged 15.01 fantasy points per game including four games where he cleared the 20 point mark.
It seemed that Jahmyr Gibbs needed the first third of the season to feel comfortable in the offense. Once he did, his numbers were off the charts. Now that he has a season under his belt, the 2024 season comes with much optimism.
Jahmyr Gibbs 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Gibbs will undoubtedly have much of a role in the Detroit Lions offense next season. Detroit was very close to making the franchise’s first Super Bowl and is hungry to get back again. What makes Gibbs even more valuable is his receiving ability. Catching 52 balls last year added up to a lot of points in PPR or half-PPR leagues.
FantasyPros has him ranked as the top of the second tier of running backs. Only Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Bijan Robinson are being projected higher. Some are fading him because David Montgomery is still in the backfield, but Gibbs showed that he can still produce at a high level while sharing touches.
In 2024, Gibbs will be worth a first round pick. Even being in a backfield that shares touches, Gibbs is simply too good to pass up. What is underrated is how many touchdowns he had last year. Even as a rookie, he was trusted in scoring situations. If he can duplicate his 11 touchdowns or even increase them, he could flirt with being the top-scorer.
Final Thoughts
It will be hard to unseat McCaffrey as the top running back. He is the focal point of that offense in a way no other running back is. However, Jahmyr Gibbs has an outside shot at being the top running back and maybe the top scorer. Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson come with real questions, so there is a real possibility he is competing with McCaffrey for the top spot.
Not much will change with the Lions’ offense with OC Ben Johnson coming back. Gibbs is a very safe first-round pick that has a huge upside.
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Matt Brown has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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