There are a lot of people talking about the Detroit Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs after the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions being so high on Gibbs was a bit of surprise, but the pick was made, Gibbs is a Lion, and now the focus is on the future. 

Gibbs is probably going to be an absolute stud in an NFL that will really value his talents as a pass-catcher, but it is also worth noting that a lot of people seem to be getting ahead of themselves on Gibbs' role in 2023.

As good as he is, the rookie out of Alabama isn't the RB1 for the Lions just yet. That role actually belongs to David Montgomery, and it seems like a lot of people are forgetting this fact.

Montgomery is arguably one of the most underrated backs in the NFL after spending all of his career on a terrible Bears team with next to no offensive line or other threats.

This left Montgomery on an island for most of his time in the league, yet he was somehow able to still produce. 4,849 total yards and 30 touchdowns evenly split over four years is extremely impressive when you look at it with context on the situation, and this makes it clear that life is about to get much better for Montgomery with a Lions team that should be the best in the division.

Montgomery is going to come in as a back that can do it all at a high level. He will join a team with a better offensive line, quarterback, line, and coordinator than he played with in Chicago.

This was all especially clear with Jamaal Williams last season. No one on the planet would ever want to take away what Williams was able to do during such an impressive year, but it is fair to say that there may not be a better situation for a running back in the league. Plus, Montgomery has more talent across the board than his counterparts in Detroit from last year.

Yes, Gibbs could move into a prominent role on a team that clearly thinks the world of him, but it is going to take a lot to replace David Montgomery in 2023.