Our Detroit Lions 2023 Fantasy Preview gives you the run down on the teams outlook going into the season.
Notable Offseason Moves
Additions
- David Montgomery (RB)
- Marvin Jones (WR)
- Graham Glasgow (OG)
Departures
- D’Andre Swift (RB)
- Jamaal Williams (RB)
- D.J. Chark (WR)
Draft Recap
Detroit had quite a bit of draft capital to spend this draft, but also alot of needs. The Lions took a balanced approach to their draft, with a split of offensive and defensive talent throughout the rounds. Gibbs should be a great pass catcher for the team, and could actually finish second on targets in this offense with the lack of talent on the roster.
The team also took LaPorta in the second round, who should be able to bring a physical presence to the TE position. Another thing which helps his fantasy outlook is that he has struggled to be a pass-blocker, so more often than not should be running routes.
Hooker in the third round is an interesting selection. Lots was raised about his age and his injury, but he has the ability to play and should see the field at some point this season, depending on the Lions results.
Positional Previews
Notable Players- Jared Goff
The trade that moved Stafford to the Rams was great for both sides. The Lions picked up picks and Goff. And while Goff isn’t elite, he isn’t awful. I also think my projected TD number is likely too low, but I don’t know which random TE is going to pick up a score and boost that number. Goff is a solid QB2 in Superflex leagues. I’m expecting at some point to see Hendon Hooker out on the field, but that’ll be towards the end of the season.
Notable Players- Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery
The Lions decided that the combination of Swift and Williams last season wasn’t the direction they wanted to go this season. Instead, they allowed Williams to leave as a free agent before trading away Swift.
The team replaced their backfield through the draft in Gibbs, and bringing in free agent Montgomery. Gibbs was drafted early in the first round, much higher than many expected, and is primed to take the role of the pass-catcher out of the backfield. In PPR leagues especially, he should see a decent workload week to week to be a decent fantasy asset in his rookie season.
One thing that impacts his ceiling though is the ability of Montgomery to shoulder carries on the ground. Montgomery has long shown his ability to be a volume RB play in a lacklustre Bears offense. But behind this offensive line, he should be more efficient and a solid flex play with even more value if Gibbs were forced to miss any time.
Notable Players- Amon-Ra St.Brown
Amon-Ra just delivers for fantasy. There aren’t alot of options in this offense to pass the ball to, and really not anything worth drafting outside of really REALLY deep leagues. St. Brown should have another great season for fantasy with a healthy target share leading to great receptions and yardage totals. The thing that could limit his ceiling is his TD numbers. But, this offense has all of the pieces to take a step forward this season so that could change.
Notable Players- Sam LaPorta
LaPorta needed to go to a team that he could work as a receiver at, and he found it. Great landing spot for him- for dynasty. For redraft I don’t feel as confident. Rookie TEs struggle to make an impact for fantasy generally, at least on a consistent basis. He will have some flashes in this offense, but hard to put too much draft value on him outside of a late-round lottery ticket.
Team Projections
NOTE: Not all players are stated out
Quarterbacks
| Name | Pass Cmp | Pass Att | Pass Yards | Pass TDs | Pass INTs | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jared Goff | 382 | 555 | 4,085 | 20 | 11 | 23 | 80 | - |
Running Backs
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jahmyr Gibbs | 206 | 864 | 7 | 88 | 66 | 660 | 3 |
David Montgomery | 183 | 731 | 5 | 58 | 47 | 423 | 1 |
Wide Receivers
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amon-Ra St. Brown | - | - | - | 146 | 110 | 1,155 | 7 |
Marvin Jones | - | - | - | 88 | 53 | 599 | 3 |
Josh Reynolds | - | - | - | 58 | 35 | 455 | 2 |
Tight Ends
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sam LaPorta | - | - | - | 88 | 57 | 627 | 3 |
