Not all “don’t draft a running back in the first round!”
debates are created equal.
That’s true with Jahmyr Gibbs of Alabama.
The Over/Under at 1.5 running backs to be drafted in Round 1 has shifted.
…And I hope the Bengals are the team that makes Gibbs the second tailback off the board.
According to King, multiple teams have Gibbs as this class' RB1 over Bijan Robinson.
Did TikTok pull a Twitter Blue without me realizing?
I swear there was an option to do a 10-minute video not long ago.
Now all I see is a maximum of three minutes.
Gibbs' speed is incredible.
Now look, I get the skepticism about it.
This is about the home-run hitting ability Gibbs has as opposed to his 10-yard acceleration.
It only took him an additional 1.01 seconds to get from the 10- to 20-yard mark in that 40.
Obviously the one thing that hurts Gibbs' cumulative athletic profile is a lack of prototypical size.
Check out some guys who have similar BMI profiles.
I featured their 40 times so you get an idea of why Gibbs is so unique among them.
How does this apply to the Bengals, bro?
What does that mean, you ask?
The first digit stands for running backs in the formation; the second is for tight ends.
So two-back, no tight end sets, and two-back, one-TE sets.
That’s what we’re talking about here.
That’s what’s known as “11 personnel.”
Joe Burrow likes this, too.
What can be frustrating is the methodical pace at which the Bengals often operate.
Taylor doesn’t exploit it enough.
you might love your head coachandacknowledge that you’re not an endorser of 100% of his football tactics.
The Bengals have earned confidence that they can just line up and beat you with their lethal passing attack.
Hence my italicizing ofin most cases.
Say you have the aforementioned 20 or 21 personnel package.
In those situations, Gibbs likely would draw a matchup with either a safety or linebacker.
He’s going to smoke the shit out of them almost every single time.
They are different styles of backs.
A less-densely built McCaffrey has held up for four of his six full NFL seasons.
The Bengals won’t be asking Gibbs to touch the ball this muchwith or without Mixon.
They have so many targets to dish out to Chase, Higgins and Boyd as is.
So not only does Gibbs work as an immediate-impact player.
He makes your (technically) WR4 option that much more dynamic.
Like, what evenisthis?
His timeshare with Tony Pollard worked out quite nicely.
Bear in mind, too, that Mixon, like Zeke last year, is entering his seventh season.
Zeke would be a good short-term option on the open market.
What about pass protection?
That’s one big knock on Gibbs.He had a 24.1 PFF pass blocking grade in 22.
Only looking at what Gibbs did for the Crimson Tide at face value does him a disservice.
You might think, “the step up in competition at Bama was probably a wake-up call.
At Alabama, it was 15 reps, only one hurry.
So maybe not the prettiest, but hecanget it done.
You’ll see some ugly reps on Twitter from Gibbs in pass protection.
Mixon was at 38.1 on 55 reps in 22, 31.5 on 55 reps in 21.
Jahmyr Gibbs no matter what?
There’s an outside chance Gibbs won’t be there when the Bengals go on the clock.
The only one I’m remotely eager to explore is a right tackle like Ohio State’s Dawand Jones.
Seems like his stock is dropping in recent weeks.
Might be able to trade up on Day 2 to get him.
Seriously though what/who else is there that gets you amped up for a prospective first-round pick?
You also have rising second-year player Zachary Carter in the rotation.
He was a 2022 third-round pick.
Veteran Tarell Basham is a new addition to the depth chart as well.
I’d love to hear Gibbs' name called to Cincinnati on Thursday evening.
GO GET HIM, DUKE TOBIN.
