As was the case in 2023, the Detroit Lions will once again have three of the better fantasy football options in 2024, a list that includes wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
There is at least a tiny concern for Gibbs and LaPorta, both of whom have missed significant time this offseason due to injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell has provided multiple positive updates on both during the week.
On Monday, Campbell revealed that neither player was among his injury concerns going into Week 1, and the Lions head coach added on Wednesday that both have looked good since returning to practice.
With LaPorta and Gibbs expected to suit up alongside St. Brown, here's a look at some start or sit advice for each.
Fantasy Football start or sit Week 1
Sam LaPorta: Start
The only semblance of a concern with LaPorta is his missing a lot of time due to injury this offseason, but there has been nothing to suggest that will impact his workload in the first game of the season.
LaPorta should be even better in his second season, and the Lions have 64 targets, 40 receptions and 608 yards to replace after the departure of Josh Reynolds, who Detroit did not adequately replace.
A lot of that figures to go to Jameson Williams, but LaPorta could also see an uptick in work. After finishing as TE1 overall last season, LaPorta is an elite, set-and-forget tight end option every week, regardless of matchup.
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start
Gibbs will continue to share work with David Montgomery on the ground, but he will continue to be the preferred option in the passing game.
Making his outlook even better, general manager Brad Holmes said back in May that he expects Gibbs to garner more work this year. The second-year back is a borderline RB1 with elite upside and should be in lineups each and every week.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start
St. Brown has gotten better each year in the NFL and finished with career-highs in targets (164), receptions (119), yards (1,515) and touchdowns (10) in 2023, leading to his ranking as WR3 overall in PPR.
And, there's reason to believe he can surpass those totals in 2024 after the Lions did not adequately replace Reynolds, as we mentioned above. He's locked into lineups and is one of the very best wide receiver options, no matter the opponent.
