Jahmyr Gibbs 2023 NFL season props, odds: Lions first-round rookie running back will be used in Tiki Barber, Alvin Kamara-type role

The Detroit Lions didn't have a need at running back entering the 2023 NFL Draft with the likes of D'Andre Swift and free-agent addition David Montgomery on the roster. However, the Lions were so enamored with Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs that they traded up to the No. 12 pick to select him, and then dealt Swift away. Coach Dan Campbell seemed to clarify Gibbs' role this season this week. It may look something like the way Tiki Barber or Alvin Kamara have been deployed.

Last season with the Crimson Tide, Gibbs rushed for 926 yards on 151 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and scored seven touchdowns. He also caught 44 passes for another 444 yards and three scores. Gibbs, who led the Tide in both rushes and receptions, also averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return, ranked in the top 15 in the FBS in all-purpose yards per game (135.7) and had had the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the running backs at the NFL Combine at 4.36 seconds.

After the Lions selected Gibbs, GM Brad Holmes reacted as if he just won the Super Bowl on the draft telecast. The former Rams staffer later explained why, adding he believes the Lions will "be better offensively" after bringing in Gibbs and Montgomery as running backs in place of Jamaal Williams (who signed with the Saints) and Swift.

"When I first got with the Rams in 2003, Marshall Faulk was still there, and I was a huge Marshall Faulk guy -- just kind of seeing what he does in both phases," Holmes said. "And just from a scouting standpoint, when Christian McCaffrey came out, he was the last guy that I was like, 'Holy cow, this guy can run routes like a slot receiver but also run it.' So, you start getting reminders of those players. I'm not sitting here saying Jahmyr Gibbs is those players, but just a special weapon like that. We have a lot of excitement and optimism."

The hype is out of control for the Lions this season, to the point they have sold out all their season tickets at Ford Field for the first time. Detroit hasn't won its division since 1993 -- back when it was NFC Central -- but is the +120 favorite and is taking huge action. So is Campbell to win NFL Coach of the Year as the +850 betting favorite. He clarified this week how he envisions Gibbs' role this year.

"I think you need a back that push comes to shove, he can carry a load," Campbell told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "You need somebody you feel like you can give the ball to, 20 to 25 times a game potentially. And then you need that specialty guy -- he's much more. He carries the scalpel, and he can slice you up. He can hurt you in the pass game potentially. I'm talking about Gibbs obviously -- get him out there and do a few more things because that's kind of what I know."

Campbell was a former offensive assistant with the Giants and Saints under Sean Payton, and both those clubs had memorable thunder and lightning duos (although Montgomery isn't really a "thunder" player).

"You talk about backs -- my best exposure was as a player under Sean Payton," Campbell said. "We had Ron Dayne, we had Tiki Barber. Tiki was kind of that change-up guy. He could do a lot of different things, and Ron was a heavy back. … I get to New Orleans and Mark Ingram -- he was our A back and then Alvin Kamara did all the other stuff, and they could hurt you. So, yeah, I do see a two-headed monster here."

Swift essentially held that Barber/Kamara role in 2022 with Detroit, rushing 99 times for 542 yards and five scores and catching 48 passes for 389 yards and three TDs. Williams filled the Dayne/Ingram role for Detroit last year.

Here are various Gibbs props active at DraftKings/FanDuel:

• To win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: +1000
• Over/Under 625.5 rushing yards: Both -110
• Over/Under 1,100.5 rushing & receiving yards: Over -125 favorite
• To lead Lions in yards from scrimmage: +110 yes-only
• Gibbs or WR Marvin Jones to have 1,000 yards from scrimmage: +125 yes-only
• To have at least 75 rushing yards in eight games: +300 yes-only
• Gibbs and Montgomery each with 1,000 yards rushing: +2000
• To lead rookies in rushing TDs: +350
• To lead rookies in rushing yards: +1000

The last two Detroit players to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year were first-round running backs: Barry Sanders in 1989 and Billy Sims in 1980, but they were both featured backs. Kamara won Offensive Rookie of the Year with New Orleans in 2017 as a third-round pick when he had 728 rushing yards on 120 carries and eight touchdowns along with 81 receptions for 826 to yards and five scores.

The Lions are +6.5 for their season opener in the Kickoff Game in Kansas City. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Gibbs for 8.5 carries, 36 yards and 0.28 TDs along with 2.4 catches for 21 yards and 0.11 TDs. 

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