Many heads were scratched in Detroit when the Lions took a running back with the No. Charlie Brown Jersey 12 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.But Jahmyr Gibbs tried to silence those critics on Thursday night in his Lions debut. The running back proved to be a star at Alabama after transferring from Georgia Tech and is primed to have a succe sful career in the NFL.Gibbs' talent was never a debate, however, and now the pre sure to live up to the No. 12 pick expectations is the bar he'll have to clear. As the league continues to place le s of a premium on running backs, players like Gibbs are left to show Pete Maravich Jersey there's still value inrunning back and not just any athlete that comes in off the street.POWER RANKINGS: By the time their preseason contest kicked off against the Giants, Lions fans, football fans, fantasy managers, sports bettors and draft analysts had their eyes on No. 26 in Honolulu Blue.Despite being a rookie, Gibbs was treated like a seasoned veteran.The rookie didn't play much throughout the preseason opener, but it didn Jeff Teague Jersey 't take long to make an impre sion. Currently in a timeshare role with David Montgomery, Gibbs was out to prove that it's his backfield in the present and the future.Gibbs who only played the first quarter participated in three drives, one of which ended on the opening play after quarterback Nate Sudfeld to sed an interception.He carried the ball six times for 19 rushing yards, an average of 3.2 yards per carry despite losing three yards on his first touch.MORE:But where Jaylen Adams Jersey Gibbs thrived was in the pa sing game, picking up 18 yards on his only target of the game.18 yard reception for Jahmyr Gibbs on a checkdown Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) Gibbs has been said to have that Alvin Kamara-like ability to kickstart an offense with his play in the pa sing game. The rushing stats may not jump off the page, but Gibbs Kris Dunn Jersey ' play as a receiver could make for a noticeable difference in a Detroit offense that had been hoping the now-departed D'Andre Swift would fill that role.And his play in his brief, preseason Week 1 debut is only a sign of things to come for the newest motor in Detroit's offense.