Who’s faster, Jahmyr Gibbs or Jameson Williams? Detroit Lions teammates weigh in

Former Alabama offensive running back Jahmyr Gibbs and receiver Jameson Williams are expected to make the Detroit Lions one of the most electrifying attacks in the NFL in 2023.

Both are thought to possess some of the most elite speed in the game. At least, that opinion is held by Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff. They compared the two players’ speed on The 33rd Team’s St. Brown Brothers Podcast on Wednesday.

“I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t know he was that fast,” St. Brown said of Gibbs. “That boy be sliding, and his acceleration is ridiculous.”

Goff added: “He’s as fast as anyone we got.”

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But who’s faster of the Lions’ back-to-back 12th overall picks?

“In a (100-yard dash, it’s Jameson). In a (40-yard dash), Jahmyr might get him,” St. Brown said.

Gibbs makes his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday night in Kansas City. He’ll have to wait six games to pair with Williams, who’s suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy.

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Jahmyr Gibbs 40-yard dash

Gibbs played one season at Alabama after transferring from Georgia Tech ahead of the 2022 season. In his NFL Combine performance, he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, ranking second among all running backs in the event. He trailed only former Texas A&M standout De’Von Achane, a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins.

Gibbs was the second running back selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, only behind Bijan Robinson, the former Texas star who went No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons.

Gibbs, 21, finished with 1,370 total yards and 10 touchdowns in his lone season with the Crimson Tide.

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Jameson Williams 40-yard dash

Williams didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine, as he was rehabbing from tearing his ACL in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

That said, he claimed in April 2022 that he would’ve broken John Ross’ record of 4.22 seconds if he participated shortly after joining the Lions. Williams also told Outkick’s Armando Salguero he was timed at a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, only 13 weeks after his surgery.

Despite his injury, the former four-star recruit and Ohio State transfer was one of four receivers taken in the top 12 of the draft. In his first NFL season, which was shortened due to injuries, he caught one pass for a 41-yard touchdown and rushed once for 40 yards, showcasing his top-end speed.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Detroit Lions debate speed of Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams