The Detroit Lions’ backfield is set to be one of the most captivating storylines in fantasy football this season. With Jahmyr Gibbs emerging as a legitimate threat to dethrone reigning champion Saquon Barkley as the top running back, fantasy football managers have some tough decisions ahead.
The departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty to the Lions’ offensive plans. Both Gibbs and David Montgomery offer compelling fantasy football value, but their roles may shift in ways that could make or break championship runs.
Jahmyr Gibbs Fantasy Outlook
Gibbs was hot on the heels of Saquon Barkley in 2024 and is a leading candidate to be crowned RB1 this coming season. The loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has impacted the draft stock of the entire Lions offense, but Gibbs should be right in the mix regardless.
While on paper, Barkley should be the favorite to repeat as the top running back in fantasy, back-to-back seasons as the RB1 overall are incredibly rare. Also, from Weeks 2-18 last season, it was Gibbs who led all running backs in fantasy points per game.Â
How Many endzone celebrations will Detroit Lions RB JAHMYR GIBBS perform this season?
Highlights: All 16 Jahmyr Gibbs rushing TD’s 2024#OnePride pic.twitter.com/WriQ9IzrG1
— Will Rock (@WillRockJr) August 22, 2025
While his four-touchdown game in Week 18 didn’t count for fantasy, it was in a winner-takes-all matchup with the Minnesota Vikings for both the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Gibbs is also still on an upward trajectory in terms of usage, having seen his carries increase from 182 in 2023 to 250 in 2024. If that trend continues, Gibbs could be the most important player in fantasy football this year. It’s impossible to know what the Lions offense will look like; coaching changes and an offensive line reshuffle are both legitimate reasons to pause. But Gibbs is still the most likely candidate to usurp Barkley this season.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
David Montgomery Fantasy Outlook
Despite a drop in rushing opportunities last season, Montgomery only finished one spot lower in PPR running back rankings. The Lions’ star managed an RB18 finish after carrying the ball 185 times, 34 times fewer than in 2023.
That’s due to an unexpected increase in receiving work — he caught 20 more passes (36) for an additional 224 yards (341) through the air last season. The Lions’ backfield is up in the air this coming year, though, after esteemed offensive coordinator Ben Johnson joined division rivals Chicago.
What is clear is that Montgomery remains the RB2 in Detroit. Gibbs’ carries jumped by 68 last season, and while his targets decreased slightly, he is clearly the more explosive back of the two.Â
Montgomery’s frightening power will still be called upon this campaign, but the former Bear is more likely to be affected by the losses of Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow. In recent years, the Lions have built their dominant offense on their elite offensive line; while not enough to impact ADPs, those losses are not insignificant. Montgomery should still be a reliable, low-end RB2 with touchdown upside. He also comes with league-winning potential in the event of a Gibbs injury.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
