The Detroit Lions are rolling out with the same one-two-punch duo they had last year. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both made their debut in Detroit last season. Together, they combined for a total of 401 carries for 1,960 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. This is widely considered the best backfield duo in the league.
These running backs have very different play styles and are given various opportunities on offense. That being said, Montogmery had 235 total touches, while Gibbs had 234, making it a very tough decision to pick one over the other in fantasy.
So, is Gibbs or Montgomery the fantasy football RB1 for the Lions? Let's jump in and see what we find.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Who is the Detroit Lions' RB1?
The expectation entering the season is that Montgomery will be listed as the Lions' RB1 on their official depth chart in 2024. He has a good amount of experience over Gibbs, and the 27-year-old carried the ball 219 times for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. Montgomery also had 16 receptions for 117 receiving yards.
However, this does not mean Gibbs is the second option. Both running backs are on the field for about the same amount of time, just for different situations. Gibbs totaled 192 carries for 945 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The second-year player also tallied 52 receptions on 71 targets for 316 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
RBs with the most yards per carry after contact in 2023:
Jonathan Taylor - 2.7
Jahmyr Gibbs - 2.5
Najee Harris - 2.4
Jaylen Warren - 2.4
David Montgomery - 2.3 pic.twitter.com/JyTCEfYgLx— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 18, 2024
Montgomery gets a majority of the red zone and short-yardage touches. With that being said, Gibbs has proven to be the superior pass-catcher and a more efficient rusher, averaging 5.2 yards per carry to Montgomery's 4.6. Although both backs will likely see a similar amount of touches again, I expect Gibbs to see his touches increase some this season considering his better efficiency and receiving upside.
Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?
Right now, Gibbs is going about 2 rounds ahead of Montgomery in fantasy. Montgomery's touchdowns make him a nice pick in the middle rounds, but I fully expect Gibbs to have a better season. I would also consider Gibbs a safer option, as his receptions make him rely less on touchdowns in PPR leagues.
PSA: Don't be upset if you draft Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery steals his points this season 🙃 (via Yahoo Fantasy Forecast)
More Panic Meter from @MattHarmon_BYB and @SalVetriDFS 👇
APPLE: https://t.co/keVrrdnbD1
SPOTIFY: https://t.co/ca6fHSErqj
YT: https://t.co/RPm8nxXPiD pic.twitter.com/EdENLJ4UCD— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) August 29, 2024
With all things considered, fantasy managers should be looking to target Gibbs at his 12 ADP.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Carson Steele - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: RB2/FLEX ANALYSIS: While it's difficult to say with certainty whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele will take over the RB1 role after the injury to lead RB Isiah Pacheco, all signs seem to be pointing in that direction. Steele was a monster in the […]
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2/WR3 ANALYSIS: Seattle Seahawks 2nd-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finally had his long-awaited breakout game, racking up 23.70 PPR fantasy points. Smith-Njigba was targeted a ridiculous 16 times, hauling in 12 of those passes for 117 yards. Some very promising signs on #Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 1. Has run 69 […]
Rashid Shaheed - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Flex / WR3 ANALYSIS: Fantasy managers should start Rashid Shaheed in Week 3 against the Eagles, especially after his impressive Week 2 performance, where he recorded four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Shaheed has quickly established himself as a deep-threat weapon in the Saints’ […]
Jameson Williams - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Strong WR3/Flex ANALYSIS: Fantasy managers should start Jameson Williams in Week 3 against the Cardinals, as he has been excellent this season and continues to build momentum. Last week, Williams produced five catches for 79 yards, showing his ability to be a reliable and consistent option […]
Travis Kelce - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end TE1 ANALYSIS: Fantasy managers should start Travis Kelce in Week 3 against the Falcons, but with some concern. It's challenging to bench a player of Kelce's caliber, but his recent performance, just one catch for five yards last week, it raises questions about his production. […]