In the NFL, there are few players that are held in the same regard as Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders. Sanders is arguably one of two Lions players that are the best (or damn close to being the best) to ever play their positions, and it seems like he is taking an early interest in one of the more interesting recent acquisitions for Detroit.

Jahmyr Gibbs was not a name that most people pegged to fall early in the first round. Gibbs is obviously not a bad player and has plenty of upside in the modern NFL, but value for running backs so early is generally questionable at best.

The Lions obviously didn't care, and now it seems like they are doing everything possible to make sure their first selection from the 2023 NFL Draft is taken care of before the start of the season.

It appears that means pulling out all the stops and ensuring that Gibbs' favorite player, Sanders, was one of the first people he met upon his arrival in Detroit.

What a moment @BarrySanders x @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 pic.twitter.com/n8kiJxBq7k

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 3, 2023

This is a cool move by the Lions for a variety of reasons. First, no one is saying Gibbs is the next Sanders, but it might be fair to say Gibbs is one of the most important players to play the position since Sanders. In fact, Gibbs is the highest-drafted RB for the Lions since Sanders.

The expectations are very real for this rookie.

You don't draft a player like Gibbs so early (and express willingness to take him even earlier at six) and then let him meet a hero like Sanders if you don't see a major upside in his game.

The lights are going to be very bright in Detroit in 2023. Gibbs is going to have a lot on his plate as a rookie on a team that could very well be in the conversation for the NFC Championship, and moments like this where he gets to meet an idol that is one of the greatest players in the history of the sport is a very good place to start.

Hopefully Gibbs can find a way to live up to the legacy.