As someone living in Michigan and having the Detroit Lions as my second favorite team since the 1990s, last season’s run was so much fun. The entire state was electric with passion, rooting for the forever-hapless home team. Seeing the Lions advance to the NFC Championship was something most of us never thought we would see.
The Detroit Lions’ offense was efficient with Jared Goff at the helm. Their offense scored the fifth-most points in the league on a points-per-game basis. The passing offense was among the top five in most categories, and the rushing attack wasn’t far behind.
The Detroit Lions’ defense is improving, but their statistical output didn’t match the performance on the field. The defense allowed a lot of passing yards and touchdowns, but was one of the best in the league against the run.
Detroit locked up their quarterback, top wide receiver, and top offensive lineman with new contracts. In free agency, they addressed a few key needs—trading for a top cornerback and signing defensive line depth. They also drafted two top corner prospects with their first two draft picks.
The Detroit Lions are trending upward and improving. The offense will be strong and the defense is evolving, making this Detroit team one of the best teams in the league.
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff
The trade of long-time starter Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff before the 2021 season was not met with positive expectations at the time it was made. And that is saying it nicely. Goff had an albatross of a contract, and Stafford was beloved in Detroit. Fast forward to 2024, and you will find very few fans who don’t trust Goff leading this team.
It feels like Goff has been in the NFL for 20 years, but he will turn 30 this season and is still in his prime. Detroit signed him to a 4-year extension worth $212 million that will keep him in the Motor City through 2028. Goff threw for over 4,500 yards and 30 TDs with 12 INTs and rushed for 197 yards and a pair of scores. He’s efficient, smart, and has enough mobility to contribute when needed.
After the Lions locked up Penei Sewell, it showed that the team was fully committed to keeping Goff clean in the pocket. They have the top line in the league (per PFF) a strong rushing attack, and two young, talented weapons for Goff to throw to.
Goff isn’t the sexiest player to roster in fantasy but he’s steady and consistent. He won’t have many crazy league-winning performances, but he won’t post many big ol’ goose eggs and sink your week, either. Goff is a perfect QB2 in Superflex.
Projection: 66.9% Completion, 4,675 yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs, 190 yards and 2 TDs rushing
The Backups
The Lions addressed their backup situation in the 2023 Draft, taking Hendon Hooker in the third round. In fantasy, he’s worth a roster spot should Goff miss time, but Goff has missed little time. And with the big contract, it’s tough to see Hooker staying on the team long enough to get a chance to start. He’s a good young backup with a lively arm and above-average football intelligence.
Running Backs
David Montgomery
When Jamaal Williams wasn’t resigned, David Montgomery joined the Detroit Lions as their workhorse back, and the offense didn’t miss a beat. The veteran Montgomery isn’t flashy, isn’t sexy, but he fits his role perfectly and is only going into his age 27 season.
It’s tough to expect much different for 2024, but his usage declined over the second half of the season. He only eclipsed 15 carries 3 times over the last 9 games, but his efficiency and TD production didn’t suffer. Due to the late-season usage and the expanded role of Jahmyr Gibbs, I am projecting a reduced output for Montgomery.
Projection: 195 carries for 920 yards, 10 TDs, 20 receptions for 130 yards and a TD
Jahmyr Gibbs
As the season went on, Jahmyr Gibbs caught fewer passes and took on more of a rushing role. Most of his 52 receptions came in the first half of the year. Gibbs rushed 26 times against the Rams in Week 8 but only had one week over 15 other than that performance. What I’m trying to say is I am honestly a bit confused about how the Lions used him and had trouble projecting his 2024 outlook.
Gibbs is talented and explosive, and however the Detroit Lions use him, he’s going to be productive. He’s going to have productive weeks as a pass-catcher and some as a rushing back. It’s tough to see him having an Alvin Kamara-like fantasy profile where he gets massive week-winning outputs. Gibbs is going to produce consistently in one way or the other but will occasionally have “dud” weeks.
Projection: 195 carries for 1,050 yards and 9 TDs, 55 catches for 424 yards and 3 TDs
The Stable
Should either running back miss time, I would expect the other to take on a workhorse three-down role. The Detroit Lions’ backups won’t become valuable unless both starting running backs are out.
Craig Reynolds is the third back on the depth chart and has been decently productive in limited opportunities. Sione Vaki was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, and he could be interesting in the Montgomery role. He’s a big back, a former safety, and he moves well for his size. He could be the “1B” to Gibbs’ 1A if Montgomery moves on after this season or next.
Jermar Jefferson, Zonovan Knight, and Jake Funk populate the remainder of the depth chart but should only be rostered in super deep leagues.
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Detroit’s alpha wide receiver operates out of the slot, and Amon-Ra St. Brown could be the best in the league. I’m sure Puka Nacua could push for the best slot title, but St. Brown is more proven. The Detroit Lions just extended him for 4 years, and he’s going to make $30 million a season on average.
With 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 scores, Amon-Ra St. Brown was a top-five scoring receiver and is only turning 25 this year. He’s tethered to a quarterback who loves to throw to the slot and is in a proficient, well-rounded offense.
St. Brown is producing at an elite level and should stay there for at least another six seasons. He’s our WR4 overall in dynasty rankings and has a case to be ranked higher. Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t the big-splash player like CeeDee Lamb or Ja’Marr Chase; he’s more consistent. St. Brown has a more stable QB and offense than Justin Jefferson. He feels like the safest option of the top four. Draft him, slot him in your lineups, and never think twice about starting “ARSB.”
Projection: 125 catches for 1,490 yards and 10 TDs
Jameson Williams
Detroit’s wild card is former Alabama receiver Jameson Williams, and if he can emerge, this offense would be downright SCARY. Drafted in the first round of the 2022 Draft, Williams has only played in 22% of the offensive snaps over two seasons. He just needs to get on the field!
Williams has two seasons left on his rookie deal and a potential fifth year, so his time isn’t out, but he’ll need to show what he can do. He’s got game-breaking speed and is dangerous after the catch. The offense doesn’t have what he can bring, and if Williams can get on the field, he’s in line for a massive breakout.
So far, Williams is playing with renewed confidence in camp, and he’s fully healthy heading into 2024. I’ve got the former Crimson Tide speedster tabbed for a breakout season and have been acquiring him anywhere I can.
Projection: 70 catches for 1,010 yards and 6 TDs
Antoine Green or Donovan Peoples-Jones
Opposite Williams, the Detroit Lions are projected to roll out second-year receiver Antoine Green. Coming out of North Carolina, he was projected to be undrafted and he’s overall underwhelming. Green has reliable hands and plays disciplined football. He understands positioning and body control and runs clean, precise routes.
Donovan Peoples-Jones has at least been productive in his career and should ultimately win the WR3 role. He’s a hard-working receiver with good speed but has struggled with fumbles his entire career.
Some offenses can support a WR3, and Detroit has the passing volume to do that. Green or Peoples-Jones will be the fifth target at best. They have minimal fantasy value, and if I am targeting one for deep rosters, it would be Peoples-Jones.
The Corps
Kalif Raymond has 129 passes over the past three seasons and the Detroit Lions like to keep him involved. Tom Kennedy, Daurice Fountain, Maurice Alexander, and Tre’Quan Smith are veteran depth receivers with almost zero fantasy value.
Rookies Isaiah Williams and Jalon Calhoun are tough to project value for, but I do like Williams as a late-round stash. He’s a hard-working receiver who made plays at Illinois; the coaching staff may like him and find him a role.
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta
With perhaps the biggest surprise performance from a 2023 drafted player, Sam LaPorta had a historic rookie season and vaulted into the top five of dynasty tight ends. He had some love in the pre-draft process, testing at an elite level for the position and coming from Iowa, the modern-day “TE U.”
LaPorta was productive in college but didn’t have many who expected him to be so successful, especially in year one. Recalling some of the scouting reports, including ours, the pundits saw promise, but most projected him as a strong blocker and a good pass-catcher, not an elite receiving tight end. Almost all thought LaPorta would need time. He did need two weeks; his Week 3 performance of 8 catches for 84 yards and a score was his first “big” game.
We have LaPorta ranked as our TE1 overall, and many in the dynasty community are on board. He’s got a long career ahead of him and could get even better. Even if this is his ceiling, LaPorta is a tight end you really want to have on your roster.
Projection: 95 receptions for 960 yards and 8 TDs
The Bench
After LaPorta, the tight end options are fairly sparse. I liked Brock Wright coming out of college but didn’t see a fantasy-relevant role for him in the NFL. If LaPorta had to miss extensive time, Wright would be a possible spot starter in the right matchup and for TE-premium scoring leagues.
James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra are depth tight ends, and neither is a player to roster. Mitchell has super deep league possibility, as the Lions love their TEs, and if LaPorta were to miss time, I am not 100 percent sold that Wright is the best option.
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