Fantasy Preview: Even With Lions' Split Carries, Gibbs Could Be Worth No. 1 Pick

By Craig Williams

Expectations are high in the Motor City after the Detroit Lions delivered a second consecutive playoff appearance. While the core of the team is back on both sides of the ball, the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a trend worth watching. There’s no reason to expect a collective fall-off — the Lions are favored to win the NFC North — but it is worth considering what fresh ideas and philosophies will produce on an individual level.

Odds to Make Playoffs: -180 at DraftKings

Quarterback: Jared Goff

• 2025 Stats: 17 games, 390-539, 72.4%, 4,629 passing yards, 8.6 Y/A, 272.3 Y/G, 37 TD, 12 INT

• Goff is overlooked as a fantasy option at the quarterback position due to his lack of rushing production. His ultimate value in fantasy formats comes down to the individual league’s settings — i.e. Superflex and two-QB formats make Goff a prime target. However, his presumptive ceiling in standard setups is as a low-end starter. You can do worse than 4,500 yards and 30+ touchdowns, but Goff will not carry your squad.

Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs

• 2025 Stats: 17 games, 250 carries, 1,929 total yards, 5.6 Y/A, 16 20+ runs, 20 total TD, 83.1 rushing yards/game, 0 fumbles lost

• Gibbs legitimately warrants consideration to be the No. 1 player drafted — ahead of Bijan Robinson, ahead of Ja’Marr Chase. He handled 68 more touches in 2024 than his rookie season, and he’s primed to take another step in Year 3. He’ll continue sharing the load with David Montgomery, but that’s not going to stop him from threatening 2,000 total yards and another 20 touchdowns.

Wide Receiver: Jameson Williams

• 2025 Stats: 15 games, 58 receptions, 91 targets, 1,001 yards, 17.3 average, 8 TD, 23 20+ receptions, 66.7 yards/game, 497 yards after catch

• Williams enters the 2025 season with the most untapped potential on the Lions offense. With injuries and off-the-field setbacks behind Williams, he’ll have the opportunity to take his game to another level. He’ll continue to operate as the No. 2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, but don’t be surprised if the gap in targets shrinks as Williams further establishes himself as a dynamic and reliable target in John Morton’s offense.

Tight End: Sam LaPorta

• 2025 Stats: 16 games, 60 receptions, 83 targets, 726 yards, 12.1 average, 7 TD, 12 20+ receptions, 45.4 yards/game, 343 yards after catch

• LaPorta took a step backward — fantasy-wise — in his sophomore campaign, and thus, fantasy managers have a buying opportunity. We may not see another 120 targets heading LaPorta’s way like we did during his rookie season, but he’s established that he can produce with heavy volume. Even if he ultimately finishes behind the top tier of tight ends, he will finish closer to that top class than the group behind him.

Defense

• 2025 Stats: 20.1 points per game, 32.4% 3rd down, 41.4% 4th down, 16 interceptions, 37 sacks, 13 fumbles caused, 7 fumbles recovered, 1 touchdown

• Former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took the head job with the New York Jets, paving the way for first-year coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to lead the unit. Perhaps more important than that is the return of Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Even if the Lions require an adjustment period, there’s enough talent on the roster to expect a strong finish to the season.