When the Detroit Lions selected Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, it came as a major surprise. Perhaps it shouldn’t have, based on the recent draft history.
Adding in Gibbs with the lofty draft pick added onto the very high emphasis Detroit has placed on the running back position in recent drafts. Based on data from Ben Baldwin, no team has spent more draft capital on running backs since 2018 than the Lions.
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In the graph below from Baldwin, it shows just how dramatically more the Lions have spent on drafting running backs than any other team in the last five years. Gibbs adds to the tally that also includes Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift.
Since 2018, the Lions have drafted:
- Kerryon Johnson, No. 43 overall in 2018
- Ty Johnson, No. 186 in 2019
- D’Andre Swift, No. 35 in 2020
- Jason Huntley, No. 172 in 2020
- Jermar Jefferson, No. 249 in 2021
Adding Gibbs at No. 12 vaults the Lions way over the top of the Seahawks, Patriots and others in draft capital devoted to RBs since 2018.
That doesn’t include free agent signings like Jamaal Williams or David Montgomery, either.
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