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Jahmyr Gibbs

Bengals, Bills Eyeing RB Jahmyr Gibbs

April 27th, 2023 at 5:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Jahmyr Gibbs continues to generate first-round buzz, and it sounds like a pair of AFC contenders have their eye on the Alabama product. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, both the Bills and Bengals have been tied to the running back.

Gibbs has continued to climb up draft boards in recent weeks following a productive season at Alabama. After transferring from Georgia Tech, Gibbs put together a 1,370-yards, 10-touchdown season with the Crimson Tide. Almost a third of his total yards came in the receiving game, leading scouts to assume that he’ll serve in a Swiss Army Knife-type role in the NFL.

While there have been some concerns regarding his 5-11, 200-pound frame, Gibbs has emerged as the draft’s clear No. 2 RB behind Texas prospect Bijan Robinson. ESPN’s Todd McShay recently wrote that Gibbs has received continued attention around the NFL from evaluators, and it’s gotten to the point where he is expected to be drafted in the first round.

The valuation of running backs has made it difficult to project the range for high-end prospects at the position. However, McShay noted that some teams have little in the way of a gap in ranking between Gibbs and Robinson, and both players are expected to hear their names called later tonight.

Buffalo (No. 27) would be a natural landing spot for Gibbs considering their uncertain depth chart, while Cincinnati (No. 28) would have to get creative with his usage considering the presence of Joe Mixon. Of course, they’re not the only teams with their eye on the player. Breer reiterates previously reported interest from the Giants and Chiefs, and the Dolphins have also been mentioned as a suitor.

Draft Rumors: Carter, Wilson, Bills, Dolphins

April 27th, 2023 at 5:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jalen Carter visited all six teams holding a pick between Nos. 5 and 10. That sextet continues to be connected to the higher-risk prospect ahead of the draft. The Bears and Eagles are believed to be on board with the former Georgia dynamo, but the Seahawks (No. 5) and Falcons (No. 8) — barring another team’s trade-up maneuver or Carter going in the top four — would have first dibs.

Seattle is believed to be split on Carter, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline. Although a report earlier this week indicated Pete Carroll is ready to pull the trigger, the Seahawks are not certain to do so. The prospect of Carter playing in Atlanta, which is near Athens, has emerged as a Falcons red flag, per Pauline, who adds Carter having left the scene of the accident that killed two members of Georgia’s program has injected more doubt from teams. Carter reached a plea deal and will not serve any jail time in connection with the two misdemeanor charges he faced. While some teams are believed to have taken the top-flight talent off their draft boards, Carter said some of his visits did not include questioning about the January night in which he was at the scene of the aforementioned fatal car accident.

Here is the latest from the draft:

  • One of the few players who may be drafted ahead of Carter, Tyree Wilson has generated some concern regarding his injury past. The former Texas Tech edge rusher is coming off a Lisfranc fracture, and Pauline adds he underwent a second surgery this offseason. Some teams, including the Cardinals and Texans, have passed Wilson on a physical. Not all did, and Pauline adds teams have looked into the back trouble he experienced last season as well. Wilson remains on track to be a top-10 pick, but his health will be worth monitoring as he begins his NFL career.
  • Staying on the topic of edge defenders, Pauline adds the Bills have done some late work on Iowa State prospect Will McDonald. Scouts Inc.’s No. 25 overall prospect, McDonald may be in range for the Bills, who hold the No. 27 pick. The Bills have been calling coaches on Iowa State’s staff to gather more intel leading up to the draft. McDonald finished as the Cyclones’ all-time sack leader (34). The Bills have taken defensive ends in two of the past three first rounds, choosing Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham. Von Miller is also coming off an ACL tear and not a lock to be ready for Week 1. Buffalo’s pass rush also struggled without the future Hall of Famer last season.
  • Closely tied to this year’s top wide receivers, the Giants may have a receiver-cornerback hierarchy going into the draft. Mentioned as preferring Jordan Addison and Zay Flowers, the Giants could pivot to corner if both are off the board at No. 25. But a corner is likely the Giants’ Plan B in Round 1, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano (on Twitter). The Giants have Adoree’ Jackson going into a contract year, and the team is unlikely to extend him before next year, and Aaron Robinson is coming off a season-ending injury. Big Blue did sign ex-Lion Amani Oruwariye to a low-cost deal, but this is one of the team’s neediest areas. The Giants are fans of Michigan corner DJ Turner, per Pauline, but he would not appear to represent Round 1 value. Scouts Inc. grades Turner 56th overall.
  • The Dolphins have looked into Dalvin Cook and may still be in the mix for a player not certain to be with the Vikings much longer, but the team is in on this rookie running back crop. The Dolphins have spent a lot of time with Texas A&M’s Devon Achane — he of a 4.32-second 40-yard dash — over the past two weeks, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. The Dolphins do not have a pick until No. 51; Scouts Inc. grades Achane 78th overall and fifth among this class’ backs. The consensus second-best back in the draft — Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs — also interests the Dolphins, per NBC Sports’ Peter King, but a major trade-up would likely be necessary for Gibbs.

Draft Rumors: Commanders, Chargers, Giants, Bengals, Bears

April 26th, 2023 at 10:09pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s the eve of the 2023 NFL Draft, and connections are being made left and right. Every team has hosted several prospects and done their fair share of homework. Here’s a few things we’re hearing in the hours leading up to the draft:

  • The Commanders can go in a lot of directions at the exact midpoint of the first round. They’ve been connected to offensive tackle and cornerback prospects in most situations. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, though, Washington’s executive vice president of football/player personnel Marty Hurney is a big advocate for Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. The team has committed to last year’s fifth-round pick Sam Howell as their starting quarterback for 2023, as well as bringing in Jacoby Brissett as an experienced backup. Drafting Richardson would likely be a sit-and-learn situation while either Howell or Brissett man the starting spot under center.
  • The Chargers have been rumored to be looking ahead in this year’s draft towards next year’s needs, according to Breer. Even though wide receiver is clearly not a need with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer, Williams may end up as a cap casualty after this season with a pending $32.46MM cap hit in 2024. This could lead to Los Angeles getting ahead of that hole and drafting a wideout in the first round this year. Breer hears the team really likes Boston College receiver Zay Flowers.
  • Another team who could possibly be looking to cover a future contract situation, the Giants are reportedly fairly high on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, according to Breer. With contract negotiations with veteran Saquon Barkley being reported as tenuous, it’s hard to imagine general manager Joe Schoen further stirring the pot with another first-round running back. It would provide the team with a backup option if negotiations with Barkley turn sour, though.
  • The Bengals ranked 29th in 2022 for team sacks and are reportedly looking for more pass rushing help on the interior defensive line, according to Breer. At the end of the first round, there’s only so many options. Georgia’s Jalen Carter surely won’t still be around at No. 28 overall. Clemson’s Bryan Bresee has some strong tools but is expected to need to improve his pass rushing arsenal. Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey is the only real answer here. With 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over the last two years, the diminutive tackle projects as a discount Aaron Donald. If Kancey isn’t available or not what the Bengals are looking for, they could trade back or just wait for someone like Auburn’s Colby Wooden in the third or fourth round.
  • Lastly, the Bears have been frequently tied to offensive line prospect Peter Skoronski out of Northwestern. It’s unclear whether they like Skoronski as an improvement at tackle or a new starter on the inside, but if he’s available by the time the tenth pick rolls around, it’s hard to imagine Chicago passing up the nearby offensive lineman.

Draft Notes: Flowers, Eagles, Bills, Ravens

April 25th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have already moved back once in the first round, sending the No. 1 pick to the Panthers for a package that included the No. 9 pick in Thursday’s draft. While the front office was able to restock their draft capital, the team could still look to move back a second time. According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the Bears “probably would like to trade down” as they pursue more picks.

Volin suspects that the organization likes Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers but has no intention of taking him in the top 10. By trading back in the first round, Ryan Poles and co. can continue to collect assets while also selecting their preferred prospect in a more palatable spot. Volin also suggests that the front office could simply look to deal some of their non-firsts to trade into the back end of the first round, with the writer suggesting a package of picks No. 53, No. 61, and No. 64.

The Bears made a clear commitment to Justin Fields when they traded out of the first selection, eliminating any shot at adding one of the draft’s top QB prospects. The team’s apparent pursuit of Flowers emphasizes their desire to surround Fields with as many talented playmakers as possible, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the organization adds a handful of skill players before the draft is complete.

More notes leading up to Thursday’s draft…

  • A league executive told Peter King of Football Morning in America that the Eagles “love” Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith, and the writer believes there’s a chance the organization selects the prospect with the 10th-overall pick. While many pundits have assumed the Eagles would select someone like Northwestern lineman Peter Skoronski, King notes that the organization generally hasn’t used high draft picks on offensive guards. Further, the team’s grouping of edge rushers (Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat) are pushing an average age of 30, so it wouldn’t be a shock if they add some youth to the grouping.
  • The Bills like North Carolina wideout Josh Downs, according to King. Scouts believe the receiver could start in the slot from Day 1, providing Josh Allen with another talented pass-catcher outside of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Downs averaged nearly 100 yards per game over the past two seasons.
  • A number of teams believe the Ravens will be eyeing wide receivers when it’s their turn to pick at No. 22, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. While the organization added Odell Beckham to a grouping that also includes Rashod Bateman, the team could be looking for another burner to pair with Lamar Jackson. Breer points to Flowers as a “potential interesting fit.”
  • The Chiefs have made calls about moving up from the No. 31 pick, according to Breer. While teams believe Kansas City is simply looking for a “discounted way” to move up the board, Breer notes that the organization wouldn’t make such a move unless they had their eye on a particular prospect. Once again, Flowers comes up as a potential target, and Breer also points to Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt, and Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith as options.

RB Jahmyr Gibbs Expected To Be Selected In First Round

April 25th, 2023 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Throughout the pre-draft process, Bijan Robinson has been rated as a first-round lock given his status as not only the top running back available, but one of the best prospects at any position. He might not be the only tailback to hear his name called on Day 1, though.

Jahmyr Gibbs has increasingly generated first-round buzz leading up to this week’s draft. The junior spent the first two seasons of his college career at Georgia Tech, posting 1,206 rushing yards and eight touchdowns during that span. His decision to transfer to Alabama for the 2022 season paid off, as he enjoyed a career year on the ground.

Gibbs totaled 926 rushing yards and seven scores in his lone season with the Crimson Tide, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He continued to show his prowess as a pass-catcher as well, recording 44 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Gibbs’ 195 touches were the most he logged during a season, something which, coupled with his 5-11, 200-pound frame, has led to some concerns about his ability to handle a starter’s workload at the pro level.

In spite of that, ESPN’s Todd McShay writes that Gibbs has received continued attention around the NFL recently from evaluators, to the point where he is expected to be drafted in the first round. The valuation of running backs has made it difficult to project the range for high-end prospects at the position, but McShay adds that some teams have little in the way of a gap in ranking between Gibbs and Robinson, who has frequently been listed as the top RB to enter the league since Saquon Barkley.

Taking that point one step further, Peter King of NBC Sports notes that some teams actually project Gibbs to outperform Robinson in the NFL. The former’s chances of being named the clear-cut lead back early on with whichever team drafts him are lower than those of the latter, of course, but the two may end up being linked if their careers end up being similar in terms of production. King has Gibbs being selected 30th by the Eagles in his mock draft.

Robinson is expected to be off the board by that point, with the Falcons being named as a potential suitor for the Texas alum. Both the Buccaneers (set to pick at No. 19) and Cowboys (No. 26) have left the door open to selecting Robinson as well, despite the growing anxiety surrounding the usage of a Day 1 pick on any running back. Robinson’s ultimate landing spot could affect Gibbs’ stock, but it would come as little surprise if the latter were to join him as a first-rounder.

Alabama’s Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr., Jahmyr Gibbs Declare For Draft

January 2nd, 2023 at 1:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

In a move which comes as no surprise, three of Alabama’s top players from this season are set to turn pro. In a joint announcement made on Monday, quarterback Bryce Young, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. and running back Jahmyr Gibbs confirmed that they are declaring for the upcoming NFL draft.

Young made seven appearances as a freshman in 2020, but took over as the team’s starter the following year. That campaign saw him re-write the school’s record books and establish himself as a serious candidate to be the top quarterback in the 2023 class. Young threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns as a sophomore; both figures rank first in single-season program history.

That made him an unsurprising Heisman winner, and led to the expectation that a repeat performance could be on tap in 2022. Young took a step back this season, but still totaled over 3,000 passing yards for the second straight year – another unprecedented feat for an Alabama passer – while playing three fewer games. A weakened offensive line and skill-position corps have generally not been held against him, putting Young squarely in contention to be this year’s No. 1 pick.

That could especially hold true if the Texans wind up with the top draft slot for this spring. They are widely believed to be in need of a short- and long-term move at quarterback, and Young’s demonstrated ability as a pocket passer (albeit one who, at 6-0, 197 pounds, faces size concerns) could address that need. Young has a realistic chance of becoming the first member of the Crimson Tide to be selected first overall since 1948.

Anderson is likewise expected to face a very short wait on draft night before hearing his name called. He flashed plenty of potential as a freshman with seven sacks, and took a massive step forward in 2021. The 6-4, 235-pounder led the country in sacks (17.5) en route to a number of individual accolades including SEC Defensive Player of the Year and being named a consensus All-American.

Anderson repeated both of those feats in 2022, a season in which he racked up another 10 sacks. His decorated resume led to sky-high expectations for this past campaign, and his inability to fully live up to them contributed to midseason speculation that he would be overtaken by Young or another defender (likely Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter) as the No. 1 overall prospect. Regardless of where he lands in the NFL, Anderson is likely to make an immediate impact off the edge.

Gibbs transferred to Alabama from Georgia Tech last offseason, and enjoyed a career year after the move. He posted 926 rushing yards (at a clip of 6.1 per carry) and seven touchdowns, adding 444 yards and another three scores in the passing game. That dual-threat ability has him in first-round consideration alongside Texas tailback Bijan Robinson.

Young and Gibbs took part in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State, a notable distinction from a number of other high-profile college players who declare early for the draft. They, alongside Anderson, are primed to become the latest Crimson Tide products who feature predominantly in the spring on their way to the NFL.