With training camp about to get underway, we will look at some of the training camp battles, questions, early fantasy rankings, and interesting numbers to look at over the next few weeks.

QB: If I was trying to build a case for the upside of QB Jared Goff, I might actually start with OC Ben Johnson. Johnson got some head coaching interviews and will probably be a hot candidate again in 2024. Johnson and Goff have really clicked, and Johnson has a knack for calling the right plays at the right times. I expect the Lions to continue running an offense that plays off Goff’s strengths with quick decisions, and a short controlled passing game. If there is one thing that could derail the Lions positive direction, it is probably the health of the offensive line. Frank Ragnow has a chronic toe injury that is going to be something he will have to constantly manage. Taylor Decker isn’t getting any younger, and Hal Vaitai is penciled in as a starter but he has had injury issues. The depth on the line isn’t great, and Goff needs a clean pocket to operate effectively. I guess every quarterback needs that to a certain extent, but Goff lacks the ability to use his legs to create when things break down. I feel like he approached his ceiling for fantasy purposes last year with 4,438 yards and 29 TDs. Maybe he can boost the TDs into the 30s. Another thing to remember is that he had some wild home/road splits last year, so keep that in mind in case that trend continues as that could be useful DFS knowledge. For the most part he is a high floor guy who is middle of the pack in most fantasy rankings for 2023.

RB: My guess is RB Jahmyr Gibbs probably won’t play much if at all in the preseason. The Lions have set up joint practices with the Giants and Jaguars this summer, so the key players will likely get their work done in those sessions rather than the games themselves. It will be a guessing game on how Gibbs will be used on offense. If the early fantasy rankings are any indication, people are high on Gibbs. His upside for fantasy is there due to his receiving ability as many have compared him to Alvin Kamara. Gibbs caught 44 passes in 12 games last year for Alabama. If he plays all 17 games, could he approach maybe 70 receptions? RB David Montgomery is no slouch as a receiver either, as he has 155 grabs in his 4 year career. I counted 82 catches from Lions backs in 2022, with 48 of those by the departed DeAndre Swift. So maybe 70 for Gibbs is optimistic. We have heard reports from minicamp that said he did line up at times as a slot receiver. Gibbs is being drafted before Montgomery by the fantasy community, which makes sense due to his upside. Also, for those who believe in strength of schedule rankings, the experts are saying the Lions have a very favorable schedule with several projected poor run defenses on the slate in 2023. The Lions do not appear to have any interest in RB Dalvin Cook.

WR/TE: I guess after thinking about it, maybe it isn’t too surprising that rookie TE Sam LaPorta is under the radar in fantasy football because rookie tight ends rarely make an impact. But I just think back to last year when a committee of Lions tight ends totaled 12 touchdowns and wonder if LaPorta could surprise people. George Kittle has had nice things to say about LaPorta. I will watch him closely in the preseason. There has been some talk about WR Amon-Ra St. Brown hoping to get more downfield targets, but I just don’t see it. I think they will continue to emphasize what he does best, which is the underneath routes. He is a high floor, low ceiling, low risk pick if you take him early in your draft. He had 146 targets (106 catches) in 16 games last year and that targets number could go higher this year. Don’t forget he occasionally runs the ball as well. WR Kalif Raymond was quietly the Lions 2nd leading receiver last year with 616 yards. He could get some chances early while WR Jameson Williams is suspended, so maybe keep him in mind as a cheap DFS option for the first few weeks. I am not sure how much WR Marvin Jones has left in the tank at 33, but they seem to think he can still be a productive outside receiver. I like Jones a lot but I would avoid him and WR Josh Reynolds in all fantasy formats. It’s a little weird that this offense, which was very productive in 2022 and should be productive again in 2023, is almost undraftable in fantasy at receiver and tight end other than St. Brown. No indication the Lions had any interest in WR DeAndre Hopkins, even though many fans thought they should have been interested.

K/DST: As of now, the Lions are going to enter training camp with three kickers on the roster. I thought they would have narrowed it down to two but I guess I was wrong on that one. The overall talent level on defense looks much better on paper, and there will be good competition in camp to sort out playing time. I would still want to see results on the field before recommending the Lions defense in any fantasy formats.

The first preseason game is set for Friday August 11 against the Giants. In my next report I will have observations from that game along with all other news coming out of training camp. The Lions have announced their schedule of practices that will be open to fans but I am going to skip it again this season.

End.