The Detroit Lions finished with a 9-8 record last season in the NFL. Detroit was in last place in the NFC North standings. It was a disappointment to see the Lions miss the playoffs after winning the NFC North the last two seasons. It is going to be interesting to see what running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be able to do next season since David Montgomery is no longer on the team.
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Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery sign autographs for Lions fans after the 38-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
Gibbs last season rushed for 1,223 yards on 243 carries and 13 touchdowns, along with averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He also caught 77 passes for 616 yards receiving and five touchdowns, along with averaging 8.0 yards per reception. Gibbs is only 23 years old. Can he have a major impact in fantasy football next season?
PFF Nathan Jahnke Believes That Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs Can Have a Big Year Once Again in 2026
Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and running back David Montgomery (5) celebrate 34-31 win over Green Bay Packers as he exits the field at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
Profootballfocus.com writer Nathan Jahnke wrote about the winners and losers after the first week of free agency so far this offseason. Even though Gibbs is not a free agent, Jahnke believes that he was a major winner during this offseason so far. He said about Gibbs,
“Gibbs was a winner when the team traded awayDavid Montgomery. While Gibbs’ share of touches and offensive snaps improved in 2025, Montgomery still took five touchdowns away from Gibbs on carries when the Lions were within three yards of scoring.
The Lions were inevitably going to add a second running back either in free agency or the draft, given their lack of depth remaining on the roster. There was a chance Detroit ended up with one of the top eight free agents or a mid-round draft pick on a running back. Instead, the Lions addedIsiah Pachecoon the second day of free agency to a cheap one-year contract. While there is still a chance Pacheco will play a high percentage of his snaps in short-yardage and goal-line situations, Gibbs is more likely to see end-zone touches now than when Montgomery was in the backfield.
Gibbs will be competing withBijan Robinsonfor the top spot in fantasy drafts. Robinson similarly lost his backup running back withTyler Allgeiersigning with theArizona Cardinals. The Falcons haven’t found a new backup yet, and that could determine which back is worth selecting at the top spot.
Pacheco is worth considering in the late rounds of fantasy drafts. While he is no longer a starter, if Gibbs suffers an injury, Pacheco would be worth starting in fantasy leagues, given the strength of the Lions’ offense and offensive line.”
Gibbs was seventh in rushing yards last season in the NFL. Isiah Pacheco will be the starting running back on the Lions next season. He did not have a strong season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pacheco could be a nice number two back, but the odds are that Gibbs is no doubt going to be a major bulk of the carries next season for Detroit moving forward also.
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