The Detroit Lions might have the most potent duo in the NFL at the running back position, as David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are two excellent backs that showed they can take over games in 2023.
Montgomery broke 1,000 yards in his first season in Detroit, and Gibbs had nearly 1,300 yards from scrimmage in his rookie campaign, which earned him a Pro Bowl nod. Bear in mind, both players missed games, so they could've had even more.
Per Fantasy Pros, Gibbs and Montgomery were RB10 and RB17, respectively, and it's possible both could finish in the top 10 this year, although Gibbs is more likely to do so than Montgomery thanks to all the ways he can impact a game.
Let's dive a bit deeper and see what Gibbs is capable of in 2024.
Jahmyr Gibbs fantasy football outlook
Ceiling: Elite RB1
Floor: Low-end RB1
Gibbs will split carries with Montgomery once again, but that won't stop him from breaking 1,000 yards on the ground (he had 945 in 15 games last season), and it didn't stop him from scoring double-digit touchdowns in 2023.
Also bear in mind, Gibbs wasn't heavily involved on the ground early on and saw single-digit carries in three of his first four games before before seeing 11 or more in nine of his next 11 contests.
Even after a season in which he had a whopping 71 targets and 52 catches, Gibbs is expected to see even more work in the passing game, as general manager Brad Holmes said earlier this offseason.
Holmes didn't rule out more carries, either, but he did mention Montgomery and how much the Lions love the one-two punch, so the timeshare on the ground figures to remain in place.
As if all that wasn't enough to love Gibbs' outlook, he's still running behind one of the best offensive lines in the sport and is part of an elite offense that will offer plenty of scoring opportunities.
The biggest concern for Gibbs is his history with soft-tissue injuries. He missed two games with one in 2023, and he's currently dealing with one ahead of 2024, although he's expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Good news on #Lions Pro Bowl RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Sources say the hamstring injury he suffered is not considered significant, but the team will be very cautious with rest and rehab to make sure he’s 100% healthy. My understanding is he should be ready for Week 1 vs the Rams. pic.twitter.com/BCKl657PsJ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 14, 2024
Injury is literally the only thing that can stop him.
If Gibbs can stay healthy for a full 17-game slate, he may not even need more work to finish as a top-five back. However, if he sees even just a slight uptick in passing-game and/or running-game work, the sky's the limit for his production.
