Jahmyr Gibbs Has Blunt Words for Critics Who Thought Lions Reached to Pick Him

For the second straight year, the Lions are being pegged as a trendy candidate for improvement. NFL schedule-makers went so far as to give Detroit the first game of the year, a prime-time Thursday night battle with the Chiefs on Sept. 7.

However, a cloud of doubt has surrounded the Lions’ newest draft class. Many observers thought Detroit reached to grab Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the draft's 12th pick, while others took issue with the Lions selecting Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 18.

Gibbs, for his part, did not mince words in refuting criticism of his selection Saturday afternoon.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion,” Gibbs said during rookie minicamp. “I really don’t care.”

Gibbs, a noted introvert who The Detroit Free Press wrote earlier this month was “quiet as crochet,” ran for 2,132 yards in his collegiate career for Georgia Tech and the Crimson Tide. Already, he’s made an impression on his new Lions teammates.

“He’s special, and I think we all have seen that,” fellow rookie Detroit quarterback Hendon Hooker said. “(He’s) one of those guys that’s going to come in and work. Not doing too much rah-rah, and I’m a huge fan of his game.”