With the departure of D'Andre Swift, the RB1 role in Detroit is now up for grabs. The Lions signed RB David Montgomery in the offseason. Montgomery is coming off a year in which he had 1,117 total yards and six total touchdowns with Chicago. Detroit selected RB Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama with the 12th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Gibbs was a dual-threat player last year in a season where he had 1,370 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

It was a huge surprise when the Lions selected Gibbs with the 12th pick in the April draft. Not because he doesn't have the talent, but because the Lions had already signed David Montgomery and had D'Andre Swift on the roster. Gibbs has been a huge standout early at Lions OTAs.

According to ESPN's depth charts, the rookie is already listed as the team's RB1. Come September, I don't think that will be the case. I think that Gibbs is the superior talent, but as we have seen in previous seasons, teams prefer to ease rookies into the offense. I could see it as a 60-40 split early into the season, leaning Montgomery's way, but by week 6 or 7, I think Gibbs could take over the backfield.

Gibbs currently has an ADP of 38. That is currently above players such as Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, and Dameon Pierce. That is a very rich price for a player who doesn't have a clear path to the RB1 role early in the season. Montgomery, on the other hand, has an ADP of 72. I think Gibbs can be a Top 15 RB in the second half of the season.

If reports come out closer to the season about Gibbs being the clear-cut starter, I don't mind that 3–4 round ADP. But as of right now, that is an overpay. I do like the value of David Montgomery in the later rounds. It's going to be a great camp battle this summer.