Lions star narrowly misses top spot in ESPN's 2026 RB rankings

Lions star narrowly misses top spot in ESPN’s 2026 RB rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The gap between first and second was almost impossible to measure. Even so, one explosive playmaker came within reach of the NFL’s top running back spot.

Why ESPN ranked Jahmyr Gibbs No. 2 among NFL running backs entering 2026

Jahmyr Gibbs did not finish first, but plenty of people around the league believed he should have. ESPN’s annual survey of more than 70 executives, coaches, and scouts placed the Detroit Lions star second behind Bijan Robinson after one of the closest votes in recent years. Several voters even gave Gibbs the top spot on their ballots.

The strongest support came from those who believe no running back changes a game faster. One NFL offensive coordinator told ESPN that Gibbs has rare vision, controls his pace well, and reaches another speed once he gets into the open field. The coach also called him one of the league’s best receiving backs, making him dangerous in every situation.

His production matches the praise. Gibbs scored 18 touchdowns during the 2025 season, the second-highest total in Detroit Lions history. The only player ahead of him is Gibbs himself, after scoring 20 touchdowns the year before. That kind of steady scoring has become normal since he entered the league.

Another statistic caught the attention of league decision makers. Gibbs has rushed for 39 touchdowns across his first three NFL seasons despite sharing carries for most of that time. One NFC executive described that total as remarkable, given that it came without handling a full-time workload.

That workload could grow in 2026. David Montgomery’s departure to Houston leaves Gibbs in line for more touches than ever before. He has averaged 225 carries per season since entering the league, but ESPN noted he could reach the 300 carry mark for the first time if he stays healthy.

Some evaluators still believe Robinson is the stronger inside runner. Even so, Gibbs has shown he can succeed between the tackles while keeping the burst that makes him one of the NFL’s biggest home run threats. That combination helped make him one of the closest challengers to the top spot in ESPN’s rankings.

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