Is Jahmyr Gibbs A Good Fit For The Lions? Fantasy Football Outlook

Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs caught 103 passes for 1,212 yards in his three-year college career. He was an explosive all-around offensive threat, and now he has been drafted by the Detroit Lions, the No. 4-ranked offense in 2022.

Gibbs transferred to Alabama after two years at Georgia Tech. Not only was he an untouchable runner and receiver, but he also finished second in the ACC in kickoff return yards in 2021.

But Gibbs joins a crowded backfield that includes D'Andre Swift and David Montgomery. Will Gibbs be able to make a fantasy impact in Detroit?

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Is Jahmyr Gibbs a Good Fit with the Lions?

The Lions already had D'Andre Swift and David Montgomery at the running back position. Swift has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in three seasons, but he has never played a full healthy season. Before the draft, there were already rumblings that the Lions wanted to move on from the 24-year-old. Now the Swift trade talk has gone into overdrive.

The Lions signed former Bears running back David Montgomery to a three-year deal for $18 million in free agency after failing to resign Jamaal Williams. Montgomery averaged 3.9 yards per carry in four seasons in the Windy City. He ran for 1,070 yards and 4.3 yards per carry in his second season but didn't build on that and looked worse than backup running back Khalil Herbert at times.

Gibbs and Montgomery are two different kinds of backs. Montgomery, a 224-pound bruiser is good between the tackles, but he doesn't break off many big plays. Gibbs, who measured 199 pounds at the NFL Combine, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds. He's explosive in the open field and one of the best receiving backs we have seen in a while.

Since Gibbs is also a talented kick returner, the Lions will likely use him there, too, which will mean he will need some rest. The Lions will continue to utilize a running back committee, as they have in recent years, whether it is two running backs or three.

What is Jahmyr Gibbs's Fantasy Outlook with the Lions?

The Lions have been a frustrating team for fantasy managers. Those who bet on D'Andre Swift always missed. Swift would get injured and lose goalline carries to Jamaal Williams when healthy. Williams was a great pick for "zero-RB" drafters.

It is likely the Lions will be an even more frustrating team this year because there are two new variables in Gibbs and Montgomery. If all three of them remain on the team come Week 1, it is possible that none of them will be starting caliber fantasy running backs. If Swift does get traded, it is still hard to predict how exactly the carries will be split.

Gibbs is not an every-down running back. At Alabama, Gibbs only had a 33% carry share. He was the team's leading receiver. But that's how he's going to likely be used on the Lions. That means he has more upside--especially in PPR leagues--than Montgomery. If you play in a league that awards points for kick return yards, Gibbs could be a cheat code.

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