Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens got an opportunity to play at the end of last season due to injuries, and not only has he parlayed that into a starting job in 2023, he’s thriving in the role.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dr. Gibby, who is tied for second on the team in tackles, ranks fifth in overall grade among all linebackers in the league with an 83.3.
Buy Titans TicketsGibbens has proven to be a solid all-around linebacker, with the Minnesota product and former undrafted free agent tallying grades of 76.9 in run defense, 80.4 in the pass-rush and 74.6 in coverage.
Those three grades rank 14th, fourth and eighth, respectively, at the position. I don’t think even the most optimistic Dr. Gibby fan could’ve predicted a start like this.
#Titans LB Jack Gibbens is currently graded as the 5th best LB in the NFL!!
He showed everything that makes him special in coverage and run defense against the Bengals on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/fHqAJ8yZYw
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) October 5, 2023
Just in case you aren’t a fan of PFF grades, Gibbens’ raw coverage stats speak for themselves. The second-year linebacker has given up a completion rate of just 50 percent and 25 yards on six targets, good enough for a passer rating against of 61.1.
It’s safe to say Gibbens’ rise has been meteoric. At this point last year, he was on the Titans’ practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster and his career looked to be hanging by a thread.
Now, he’s developing into one of the better linebackers in the NFL, creating quite the impressive duo with fellow linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
