What a second career Goff is having in Detroit. Traded for Matthew Stafford with little expectations to succeed and three years later he is leading the Lions to the playoffs and multiple playoff wins. In 2023 Goff threw for 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. This is now back-to-back seasons with Goff with over 4,400 yards passing and 29+ touchdowns. So, what to expect in 2024? Well, the offensive weapons around him should only continue to improve with Sam LaPorta being drafted as the top tight end in fantasy this season, Jahmyr Gibbs coming off a rookie year where he caught 52 passes out of the backfield and the expectations that Jameson Williams will be healthy and ready to take that leap forward all the while Amon-Ra St. Brown establishes himself as one of the top receivers in football. The downside to Goff is that he offers zero rushing upside but he should pass enough to be a back-end QB1 in fantasy football this season.
The first round rookie Jahmyr Gibbs burst onto the scene with an explosive first year that saw 1,261 yards from scrimmage including a 152 yard rushing performance in Week 8. It just so happens that was also one of the weeks that fellow back David Montgomery was out with injury. Therein lies the only issue with Jahmyr Gibbs - he's splitting with another, bigger back that handles the short yardage work which includes goal line. In any sort of PPR format Gibbs is still a safe but just know you'll have to stomach the split with Monty.
Amon-Ra St. Brown took his game to another level in his third season with 119 catches on 164 targets for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns. That puts him on pace to be the second best fourth round wide receiver the NFL has seen since Brandon Marshall. He's not particularly big or fast but his keen route running and sure hands make him the perfect target for Jared Goff. They didn't add much this offseason so, barring a massive leap forward for Jameson Williams or a serious decrease in pass volume, it should be ARSB, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs at the top of the pecking order once again for the Detroit Lions. St. Brown and Gibbs are being drafted as first round pick and LaPorta is the number one tight end off the board so the expectations are lofty for this offense.
Sam LaPorta just had the best fantasy season a rookie has ever had, finishing as the TE1 overall in fantasy in 2023. It was, however, a down year for tight ends to some degree as his 239.3 PPR points was the best mark last year but would have only been the 17th best TE season over the last decade. Still, the Lions did not really do anything to add pass-catchers this off-season so the path to success for LaPorta is fairly clear in 2024. That's why he's going off the board as the TE1 in most leagues so far this offseason.
2023 was yet another lost season for the 2022 12th overall pick. He began the year with a suspension due to violating the leagues gambling policy and then also dealt with soft tissue injuries during training camp and the preseason. When he was finally able to get on the field in Week 5 he held a steady but underwhelming role in the Lions offense, averaging around 50% snap share but finishing the season with just 24 catches for 354 yards and two scores. We know the skillset for Williams, he is a downfield burner that is used to stretch defenses while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta attacked the middle of the field but there is definitely more talent than that with Williams and word out of mini camp is that Williams is re-committed, focused and in great shape heading into his third NFL season. We are excited for the continued development of the Lions offense as they look to make a deeper push into the NFL playoffs this season and Williams is a low risk / high reward pick up as he comes off the board as WR48.