2025 Detroit Lions Fantasy Preview
2025 Detroit Lions Fantasy Preview Preceding Washington, head coach Dan Campbell showed how much difference one person can make in reinventing a franchise. The Lions’ 2025 offseason was a calculated effort to build on their 15-2 season and NFC No. 1 seed, despite a playoff loss to the Commanders. Camebll and GM Brad Holmes prioritized depth to address 2024’s injury-plagued defense (ranked 18th in EPA/play), while new offensive coordinator John Morton replaced Ben Johnson, bringing a less trick-play-heavy scheme (10.8% play-action rate). With $40M in cap space, Holmes made strategic signings, re-signings, and drafted seven players, focusing on the defensive line and secondary. Key losses like Carlton Davis and Za’Darius Smith were offset by health recoveries (Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill) and additions like D.J. Reed. Jared Goff is locked in as the starter, with a 69.2% completion rate and 7.8 yards per attempt. He comes off a career-best 4,629 passing yards and a 37-touchdown season. It resulted in an overall QB9 finish. But losing Johnson is a concern. Goff should be viewed as a borderline fantasy QB1, but expect some regression. RBs Jahmyr Gibbs (1,929 total yards, 20 TD) and David Montgomery (1,076 yards, 11 TDs) form an elite tandem. The unit’s 4.9 yards per carry (6th in NFL) thrives in Morton’s zone-heavy run game, with Gibbs’ 5.4 yards after contact driving explosiveness. The Lions are expected to stick with their successful rotation, with Gibbs having an outside shot at repeating last year’s overall RB1 finish. Montgomery is a solid RB2 who comes with a significant discount. Amon-Ra St. Brown saw his targets and catch numbers dip, but retained top-5 value thanks to a career-best 12 touchdown grabs. With two straight overall WR3 finishes and a WR7 showing in 2022, St. Brown is one of the safest first-round bets in all of fantasy. Jameson Williams was the subject of trade rumors but will be back as the club’s No. 2. Williams broke 1,000 yards and ranked 12th in yards after catch despite ranking just 51st in target share (18.9 percent). Second-round pick Isaiah TeSlaa will push Tim Patrick for WR3 duties. Whoever wins that job has sneaky late-round sleeper appeal. Under Johnson, Detroit ranked third (32.2 percent) in utilizing 12 formations. However, Sam LaPorta is the real star here, ranking 6th in receiving yards (726), 3rd in deep targets (9), and 5th with 19 red-zone targets. LaPorta didn’t replicate his rookie totals, but is still an elite option who will come with a discounted price. Fantasy Grade: A QB Goff, Jared, DET [QB1] Everything peaked for Jared Goff last year, but the loss of OC Ben Johnson complicates his chances of matching his career-best numbers. Goff ranked 6th in QBR (68.4) and 3rd in red zone attempts per game, benefiting from Detroit’s aggressive offensive scheme. While he offers minimal rushing upside, his consistency is bolstered by elite weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. The Lions’ 2025 QB strength of schedule ranks 17th, suggesting a neutral but manageable slate. Despite the departure of Johnson, Goff remains a reliable weekly starter in most formats. ADVICE: Unlikely to repeat last year’s numbers, but capable of being a low-end QB1. RB Gibbs, Jahmyr, DET [RB1] It was Jahmyr Gibbs, not Saquon Barkley, who led all running backs in total fantasy points. Gibbs produced 1,912 scrimmage yards and led the league with 20 total touchdowns. With David Montgomery sidelined, Gibbs feasted in Weeks 16-18, accumulating 487 scrimmage yards and scoring six touchdowns to secure countless fantasy championships. Montgomery will be back, but Gibbs scored more than 12 fantasy points in every game, giving him the highest floor of any player. That makes him, arguably, the safest bet to warrant consideration for the fantasy 1.01. ADVICE: The reigning RB1 is poised to post top-3 fantasy numbers once again in his third season. RB Montgomery, David, DET [RB2] David Montgomery delivered a strong 2024 campaign, finishing as the RB18 in PPR formats despite missing three games due to a torn MCL. He accumulated 775 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 185 carries, complemented by 36 receptions for 341 yards, averaging 15.8 PPR points per game, which ranked 16th among running backs. Montgomery’s role as Detroit’s primary goal-line back remained secure, even with Jahmyr Gibbs’ increased involvement. The Lions’ high-powered offense, averaging 32.8 points per game, provided ample scoring opportunities. With a full recovery expected for 2025, Montgomery should continue to be a reliable RB2 option, particularly in non-PPR and half-PPR formats. ADVICE: Steady producer who remains a strong RB2. WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra, DET [WR1] St. Brown delivered another incredible season in 2024. He was the WR3 in total and per-game scoring while also leading the NFL in red-zone receptions. However, his target share dipped to 23 percent over the final seven games. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for Chicago, and that could be cause for concern. Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta pose significant threats to St. Brown’s target share in 2025, possibly capping upside. St. Brown is talented and has a rapport with QB Jared Goff that is undeniable, and that should be enough to keep him in the elite WR1 conversation. ADVICE: Reliable WR1–Look to draft in the late first/early second. WR Williams, Jameson, DET [WR2] There were rumors that Jameson Williams was on the trade block, but returning to the Lions keeps the fourth-year speedster in the upside WR2 conversation. Williams broke out in 2024 (58 receptions, 1,001 yards, eight total TDs in 15 games). His 17.3 yards per catch and 21-percent target share (post-suspension) highlight elite efficiency, ranking 3rd in YAC per reception. Despite a crowded offense with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, new OC John Morton projects a “huge” season. Williams’ boom-or-bust nature (seven top-24 weeks) and a potential role shift under Morton make him a WR3 with WR1 upside. Draft as a top-30 wideout in 2025. ADVICE: High-upside weekly WR2/3 with potential to score from anywhere on the field. WR TeSlaa, Isaac, DET [WR3] A
2023 Detroit Lions Team Outlook
2023 Detroit Lions Team Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player
2023 Detroit Lions Outlook
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.
Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.
Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Detroit Lions Outlook.
— Quarterback —
Jared Goff
When at his best with the Rams from 2017 to 2020, Goff went 42-20 with a trip to the Super Bowl in 2018. In 2019, he led the NFL in pass attempts (626).
In his first season with the Lions, Goff went 3-10-1 with three missed games with oblique and knee issues. He was on pace for 4,000 combined yards and 23 touchdowns while showing strength in his completion rate (67.2). His weakness came in his yards per pass attempt (6.6), which regressed for the third straight year. Goff passed for over 300 yards in only one matchup (338/3) in Week 1. Over his final 12 games, he had fewer than 225 passing yards in eight contests.
Goff almost matched my projection last year, leading to 4,511 combined yards with 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He had a slight pullback in his completion rate (65.1) while having an uptick in big plays (57 catches of 20 yards or more, with 12 reaching the 40-yard mark). Goff averaged 34.5 passes (6th) while almost working as a modified game manager.
Over his final nine starts, Goff didn’t throw an interception while delivering 15 touchdowns. Goff passed for more than 300 yards in five matchups (378/4, 321/1, 340/2, 330/3, and 355/3) while being a much better player at home (2,472/23) than on the road (1,966/6).
Fantasy Outlook: The suspension of Jameson Williams for six games eliminates one upside-receiving option for Detroit early in the year. However, they have one of the better possession receivers in the game. And Jahmyr Gibbs has a high pass-catching floor out of the backfield. The ceiling of Goff is tied to the development of Sam LaPorta and squeezing production out of his WR3 (Marvin Jones) and WR4 (Josh Reynolds). In the early draft season, he ranks 15th at quarterback in the high-stakes market, after finishing 9th in 2022 in fantasy points (340.10) in four-point passing touchdown leagues. I view Goff as a QB2 with his matchup value at home. More of the same with a push over 30 passing scores.
Hendon Hooker
Over four seasons in college, Hooker completed 67.0% of his passes for 8,974 yards with 80 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had value in the run game (514/2,026/24). His completion rate improved each year while delivering 68 touchdowns and five interceptions over his final two seasons. Hooper has his best overall output in 2021 (3,665 combined yards with 36 touchdowns.
Fantasy Outlook: The Lions stated that they won’t use their rookie quarterback in 2023. They want him to get healthy, and a year on the bench will help him learn their offense.
Other Options: Nate Sudfeld, Adrian Martinez
— Running Backs —
The Lions’ running backs had an impressive season in 2022, even with a pullback in production in the passing game (82/685/4). Their backs led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (25) while setting three-year highs in rushing attempts (446), rushing yards (2,110), and yards per carry (4.7). They gained a combined 2,795 yards with 29 scores and 82 catches (31.5 FPPG in PPR formats).
Jahmyr Gibbs
Over three seasons at Alabama, covering 31 games, Gibbs gained 3,349 combined yards with 23 touchdowns and 104 catches on 483 touches. His best success came in 2022 (151/926/7 with 44 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns). Gibbs has a sensational three-game stretch midseason (63/463/5 plus 10 catches for 81 yards).
Fantasy Outlook: The Lions will give eight to touches a week while riding him more often when he has the hot hand. I expect Gibbs to lead the NFL in plays longer than 50 yards. His floor in catches looks electric, pointing to a chance at 80 receptions out of the gate. With 225 touches, I expect 1,400 combined yards with 10 scores. Based on his early ranking (15th) at running back, Gibbs should have a circle around his name. Think Jamaal Charles in the passing game, with Chris Johnson’s explosiveness as a runner.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE LIONS IN 2023?
To finish reading Shawn’s in-depth 2023 team outlook, with in-depth offseason reports, projections, and fantasy outlooks for all players
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