The Detroit Lions continue to deploy their two-headed backfield featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Fantasy football managers drafted Gibbs well ahead of Montgomery, but through two weeks, the two have been similarly productive. Can fantasy managers continue starting both of them?
Which Running Back Should You Choose Between Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Week 2?
Through two weeks, Gibbs is the RB10 and Montgomery is the RB13 according to PFN’s Consensus Rankings. By positional rank, Gibbs has slightly underperformed and Montgomery has slightly overperformed. Also, it’s been two weeks. What matters more is how these players are producing.
Both Lions backs are averaging over 16 fantasy points per game, which is the typical threshold for RB1 production. Fantasy managers certainly have nothing to complain about.
Additionally, the Lions’ offense hasn’t really been firing on all cylinders yet. Better days are ahead. It almost feels like we’ve gotten floor games from the backs and that explosions are right around the corner.
I don’t know if there’s anyone out there truly deciding between Gibbs and Montgomery. The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer predictably has the guy who was drafted at the 1/2 turn well ahead of the guy going in the fifth or sixth round.
Gibbs is projected for 16.2 fantasy points, while Montgomery is projected for 12.1. Both backs should be in fantasy lineups every week.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
The Arizona Cardinals had a monster day offensively last week, dropping 41 points on the Rams. This is an offense capable of scoring points, which should force the Lions to match them.
This game has the highest projected point total of the Week 3 slate and it’s not really that close. A back-and-forth affair would lend itself more toward Gibbs, who is the preferred receiving back.
Gibbs’ passing game usage has been most encouraging to start the season. He’s averaged 20.5 routes run per game and has seen a 16% target share.
Although the Rams have not allowed many receiving yards to running backs, a two-week sample size is far from enough to peg them as a team that defends pass-catching backs well. Fantasy managers should confidently fire up Gibbs as a top-six option this week.
David Montgomery’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Montgomery’s role appears to be exactly what it was last year. In 2023, he scored a touchdown in 11 of his 14 games played. Technically, it’s 11 out of 13, since one of them, he left very early due to injury.
To open the 2024 season, Montgomery has punched in a short touchdown in each of his first two games.
David Montgomery pounds it in for the score 🙌#TBvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/NHap2ibCpW
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 15, 2024
Last week, Montgomery even hauled in four passes for 35 yards. Don’t expect much of that, though. He remains largely dependent on touchdowns. However, he’s a pretty reliable source of them.
The Cardinals have been really strong against the run through the first two weeks. But, again, it’s too soon to label them a defense that erases the run.
The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the league. Montgomery is averaging a very respectable 4.5 yards per carry to start the season. He’s a better-than-average bet to score any given week. Fantasy managers can confidently fire up Montgomery as an RB2.