League executive defends Lions' selection of this rookie

Some panned the Lions for taking Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall in the NFL Draft, but an NFC executive believes Gibbs' performance will silence doubters.

"That guy (Gibbs) is a player. When they tee it up on Sunday, I don't think anyone will care where he was taken," the anonymous executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Gibbs was the second-best RB prospect in the 2023 class, per NFL.com, and could replace former Lions RBs Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift. Williams, the NFL's rushing TD  leader last season with 17, signed with New Orleans in free agency. Detroit traded Swift to Philadelphia during the draft.

The Lions taking a running back high in the draft carries risk, however. 

Since 2011, five of 13 running backs taken in the first round have not received a contract extension or had their fifth-year option exercised — the worst among all positions, per ESPN's Bill Barnwell. 

Taking Gibbs within the top 15 also has significant financial implications for Detroit. Per OverTheCap, Gibbs should sign a four-year, fully guaranteed $17.85M contract. The deal will make him the league's 18th-highest-paid back as a rookie. 

Nonetheless, Detroit believes he's a special player and worth the high price.

"We didn't acquire a running back. We acquired an elite offensive weapon," Lions GM Brad Holmes said after the draft.

Gibbs is fast (4.36-second 40-yard dash) and led FBS running backs in catches of 15-plus yards (25) over the past three seasons, per Pro Football Focus.

Detroit's offense ranked third in yards last season (6,460), so it should remain near the top of the league with playmakers such as the 21-year-old RB and Pro Bowl WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.

An elite offense strengthens the Lions' chances of capturing their first division title since 1993.