Does Jahmyr Gibbs make Kalif Raymond's role with the Lions obsolete?
I've been racking my brains about this since Thursday night. How does a guy that has 47 receptions and finish second in receiving yards on The Detroit Lions last year only get targeted one time In the Lions season opener? Last year wasn't a fluke. Raymond was targeted 64 times and caught 47 balls last, […]
I've been racking my brains about this since Thursday night. How does a guy that has 47 receptions and finish second in receiving yards on The Detroit Lions last year only get targeted one time In the Lions season opener?
Last year wasn't a fluke. Raymond was targeted 64 times and caught 47 balls last, but he was also targeted 71 times and caught 48 balls in 2021. Where was he on Thursday?
You can make the argument that the Lions had a more conservative and up and over the middle game plan on Thursday and maybe it's just a one time thing. Trust me, I've made this argument already. The only other thing that keeps sticking in my mind is that Lions may feel that they can get what they were getting out of Raymond with rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs. They might also feel like they can get it better too.
While Gibbs didn't get used a ton on Thursday night either, he had 19 total snaps, he showed that the functionality is there and that the Lions could clearly do more with him. That seems to be the plan going forward.
Gibbs is going to be used as a receiver a lot going forward. Maybe more than we think. He led Alabama in receptions last year and he recently told us that the Lions are using him as a receiver a lot more than Alabama did.
What does that mean for the spreading of receptions. Right now Amon-Ra St. Brown is the lead dog when it comes to receptions. Then it's all about what you can bring. Josh Reynold sis that big bodied contested catch guy, Marvin Jones brings some of that too and then when Jameson Williams returns, he's your speed threat that can take the top off defenses.
Raymond was the guy that could take in short passes and work to get yards after the catch in 2022 and 2021. Last season Jared Goff typically targeted Raymond on shorter routes and passes. Goff's total yards before reception with Raymond was 8.5 yards. That's meaning the average Kalif Raymond catch last year was an 8-yard catch. he'd then do work in the yards after the catch realm. Most of Raymond's work was done inside the numbers and not out wide
The thing is that this is more than likely where Gibbs is going to be able to do his thing in the pass game. A lot of shorter passes inside the numbers where Gibbs can challenge linebackers and do the most damage. That's going to take that targets from Raymond without a doubt.
That doesn't mean that Raymond just goes away. Obsolete might not be the best word to use. This could definitely affect his current role with the team though.
It's clear that the Lions liked Raymond. They gave him a nice extension less than a month ago. He brings a lot in the special teams world that role should continue. As to what he can bring in the offense, we'll hopefully get more of answer to that question in Week 2 against the Seahawks. But right now it would appear that the rookie has changed Raymond's role.
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