The Detroit Lions will kick off their 2025 campaign on Sunday with a divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Jared Goff, wideout Jameson Williams and running back David Montgomery will all be in action.
Goff posted yet another impressive regular season for the Lions in 2024. The veteran signal-caller completed 72.4% of his passes for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns to 12 picks. He finished second in yards and fourth in passing touchdowns among quarterbacks.
Williams finally broke out in his third season in the NFL after two quiet campaigns to begin his career. The former first-round pick had career-highs in receiving yards (1,001) and touchdowns (eight) while cementing himself as one of the most explosive players in the league.
Montgomery was productive, also, even though he missed three games and had to once again share a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs. The veteran back finished with over 1,100 scrimmage yards, including 775 yards on the ground. Montgomery scored 12 times.
Those in the know already have a good idea of what to do with these three players when it comes to fantasy lineups in Week 1, but we’ll confirm it below.
Note: All fantasy football rankings are courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
David Montgomery
There remains a possibility that the Lions will utilize Jahmyr Gibbs more this season, although offensive coordinator John Morton simply gave a “we’ll see” response when asked about the workload distribution between the two backs.
With nothing to go on as we enter Week 1, we have to assume Montgomery will keep playing the same role he has in years past, which is splitting work with the younger back.
That role led to Montgomery finishing as RB18 overall last season despite missing three games due to injury. That makes Montgomery at least a flex play in Week 1.
Verdict: Start
Jameson Williams
The Detroit Lions have made it quite clear they expect Williams to take another step forward in 2025 following a season in which he broke out and tallied 1,000 yards through the air.
Williams is the No. 2 wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in an elite passing offense and finished as WR22 overall in 2024 despite missing two games due to suspension.
In his one game against the Packers last season, Williams finished with five catches for 80 yards. Consider him a borderline WR2/elite flex play in Week 1.
Verdict: Start
Jared Goff
Goff was quietly one of the better options at quarterback in fantasy football last year. The veteran signal-caller finished as QB6 overall despite the fact that he doesn’t have an ability to gain yardage with his legs.
In his two matchups with the Packers last season, Goff ranked as QB27 in Week 9 and then QB6 in Week 14.
After what we saw of him overall and against the Packers last season, Goff is very much a starting option for fantasy owners in Week 1.
Verdict: Start
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