DETROIT -- Jahmyr Gibbs was totally surprised when his phone rang as early as it did on April 27.
In one of the biggest Day 1 surprises of the 2023 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions used their highest of two first-round picks (No. 6 overall) to trade back six spots and take the Alabama running back at No. 12.
Gibbs became the franchise’s highest-drafted running back since his favorite player, Barry Sanders, was taken third overall in 1989, which he said was an honor he couldn’t have imagined happening entering the big day.