Detroit Lion Long Term Dynasty Values?
As a life-long Detroit Lions fan, I decided to write my first piece for the DNA crew on my hometown boys. Providing you all info that may be slightly biased, but one thing I love as much as the Lions is my passion for fantasy.
I’ll be listing the boys in blue in order of dynasty value, and what you’re getting from them!
Amon-Ra St. Brown is who I value the highest out of all Lions assets. He has set his spot in the top tier of dynasty WRs. A 4th round pick back in 2021 that fought hard to prove that he is in the upper echelon of receivers in the league.
The Sun God was tied for second in receptions with Tyreek Hill last year with 119, and much younger at 24 years old. He was also 3rd in receiving yards with 1,515 and tied for 4th with 10receiving TDs in 16 games last season.
Amon Ra is a cornerstone receiver and should not make it out of the first round of your dynasty startups.
Jahmyr Gibbs burst onto the scene in a Monday Night game against the Las Vegas Raiders where we saw his true talent put on stage.
Many including myself were perplexed by the Lions picking him in the 23 class at a top 15 draft pick. I wasn’t “out” like some of my friends, but I was perplexed.
Gibbs does have a hawk of the ball with Montgomery splitting the backfield. Although, we saw Detroit’s offense last season support two 900+yd, 10+TD rushers.
Gibbs is going in the second and third round of dynasty startups. He should be viewed in the top tier of dynasty RBs based on age, rookie contract, and role in the Lions offense. Take the man with confidence.
Sam LaPorta almost wasn’t a Lion. Let that sink in…Detroit grabbed LaPorta with the Cardinals2nd round pick packaged with the no. 12 pick to take Gibbs. Detroit picks Bijan? They don’t get LaPorta or have to potentially make another draft day trade to get him.
LaPorta wasn’t even viewed as the no. 1 TE of his class (not to say Kincaid can’t reclaim that title this season). He FEASTED with Jared Goff. Goff found his no. 2 receiving target behind Amon Ra St Brown. LaPorta was the top TE in fantasy points last season, as a rookie.
With that said- look out for a regression. He scored 10 TDs last season. TDs don’t stick, receptions and targets do. LaPorta was 5th in targets and 4th in receptions, so I do absolutely see him maintaining a top 5 finish if he can keep his production (and not lose targets to Jamo, who I’ll touch on further down this article).
LaPorta is going as the TE1 in most startups with a range in the late 2nd-early 4th depending on what format of dynasty you play.
JA-RED GOFF, JA-RED GOFF!!
Jared Goff is a Detroit legend at this point after winning the first Lions playoff game in 32 years and leading them to their first NFC championship in just as many years. He still has to win the big one, but he’s a personal darling just like Amon-Ra for me.
He’s a leader, he wins games, and he’s a safe fantasy QB. Safe. Not a top 5 dynasty asset, but he is still a great dynasty asset. He’s a mid to low QB1 when he’s hot and a middle of the road QB2 when he’s at his low end.
Goff is going between late 3rd in SF startups to as late as round 12 in 1QB.
Jameson Williams… I could write a whole article about Jamo by himself given his erratic trajectory. We won’t talk about the ACL-riddled rookie year, or the sophomore shortened by the gambling suspension. This is Jamo’s year to prove it! If he doesn’t, it’s time to start thinking bust. Williams has all the talent being drafted with a top 15 pick 2 years ago, but we need numbers. Numbers win championships, not hope of being “the guy.”
I look back to a Reception Perception episode that I listened to last week. Matt Harmon was talking about looking at Jameson Williams from a practical perspective. Highly recommend you watch for more detail. Jamo had a stretch last season without injury and without suspension that had Lions fans and fantasy owners excited! It’s a tale of two players, though. Between weeks11-13, Williams was awful. His usage was not great, and it equated to poor production on the field. Just go look at the numbers. Then, you look at week 15 and on through the playoffs and this man was finally getting the ball. All the hard work proving to Dan Campbell that he can be a team player paid off. That leaves us with an ambiguous future this year and makes it the prove-it-year in 2024.
I’m buying Williams later in drafts and is a good WR3/4 for your dynasty team. Take the shot!
As much as I try to stay as subjective as possible, there’s a Lions fandom that always shows through. What can I say? I’m always going to root for the Motor City Kitties, and I want to see this be their year. Fandom aside, I’m a sponge when it comes to fantasy football news. I look at everything from multiple angles and I’m the first to build my team strategically rather than with my heart.
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