2023 Detroit Lions Outlook

The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.

Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.

Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Detroit Lions Outlook.

— Quarterback —

Jared Goff

When at his best with the Rams from 2017 to 2020, Goff went 42-20 with a trip to the Super Bowl in 2018. In 2019, he led the NFL in pass attempts (626).

In his first season with the Lions, Goff went 3-10-1 with three missed games with oblique and knee issues. He was on pace for 4,000 combined yards and 23 touchdowns while showing strength in his completion rate (67.2). His weakness came in his yards per pass attempt (6.6), which regressed for the third straight year. Goff passed for over 300 yards in only one matchup (338/3) in Week 1. Over his final 12 games, he had fewer than 225 passing yards in eight contests. 

Goff almost matched my projection last year, leading to 4,511 combined yards with 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He had a slight pullback in his completion rate (65.1) while having an uptick in big plays (57 catches of 20 yards or more, with 12 reaching the 40-yard mark). Goff averaged 34.5 passes (6th) while almost working as a modified game manager.

Over his final nine starts, Goff didn’t throw an interception while delivering 15 touchdowns. Goff passed for more than 300 yards in five matchups (378/4, 321/1, 340/2, 330/3, and 355/3) while being a much better player at home (2,472/23) than on the road (1,966/6).

Fantasy Outlook: The suspension of Jameson Williams for six games eliminates one upside-receiving option for Detroit early in the year. However, they have one of the better possession receivers in the game. And Jahmyr Gibbs has a high pass-catching floor out of the backfield. The ceiling of Goff is tied to the development of Sam LaPorta and squeezing production out of his WR3 (Marvin Jones) and WR4 (Josh Reynolds). In the early draft season, he ranks 15th at quarterback in the high-stakes market, after finishing 9th in 2022 in fantasy points (340.10) in four-point passing touchdown leagues. I view Goff as a QB2 with his matchup value at home. More of the same with a push over 30 passing scores.

Hendon Hooker

Over four seasons in college, Hooker completed 67.0% of his passes for 8,974 yards with 80 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had value in the run game (514/2,026/24). His completion rate improved each year while delivering 68 touchdowns and five interceptions over his final two seasons. Hooper has his best overall output in 2021 (3,665 combined yards with 36 touchdowns.

Fantasy Outlook: The Lions stated that they won’t use their rookie quarterback in 2023. They want him to get healthy, and a year on the bench will help him learn their offense.

Other Options: Nate Sudfeld, Adrian Martinez

— Running Backs —

The Lions’ running backs had an impressive season in 2022, even with a pullback in production in the passing game (82/685/4). Their backs led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (25) while setting three-year highs in rushing attempts (446), rushing yards (2,110), and yards per carry (4.7). They gained a combined 2,795 yards with 29 scores and 82 catches (31.5 FPPG in PPR formats).

Jahmyr Gibbs

Over three seasons at Alabama, covering 31 games, Gibbs gained 3,349 combined yards with 23 touchdowns and 104 catches on 483 touches. His best success came in 2022 (151/926/7 with 44 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns). Gibbs has a sensational three-game stretch midseason (63/463/5 plus 10 catches for 81 yards). 

Fantasy Outlook: The Lions will give eight to touches a week while riding him more often when he has the hot hand. I expect Gibbs to lead the NFL in plays longer than 50 yards. His floor in catches looks electric, pointing to a chance at 80 receptions out of the gate. With 225 touches, I expect 1,400 combined yards with 10 scores. Based on his early ranking (15th) at running back, Gibbs should have a circle around his name. Think Jamaal Charles in the passing game, with Chris Johnson’s explosiveness as a runner.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE LIONS IN 2023?

To finish reading Shawn’s in-depth 2023 team outlook, with in-depth offseason reports, projections, and fantasy outlooks for all players

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