The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Lions put it all together in spectacular fashion in 2023 and almost became the surprise darlings of the NFL season. It started opening night as the Lions beat the Chiefs in the NFL’s opening game. They won 12 games during the regular season, winning the NFC North and earning a home playoff spot. They beat the Rams and Buccaneers in the playoffs and had a large first-half lead in the NFC Championship Game before the 49ers battled back to take it. Now, the Lions coming into the season a favorite in their division and in the NFC. Can they live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Lions hung on to the core this off-season, splashing out big extensions for quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. But they did have a few exits, with receiver Josh Reynolds heading to Denver, while Chauncey Gardner-Johnson returned to the Eagles and cornerback Cam Sutton returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team did add a few pieces, bringing in guard Kevin Zeitler, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, and defensive end Marcus Davenport.

In the draft, the team continued its focus on building up the defense with young playmakers, particularly in the secondary. The Lions used both their first two selections to grab a cornerback. In the First-Round the team grabbed Terrion Arnold. In the Second Round, the team grabbed Ennis Rakestraw, Jr.

Fantasy Prospects

In fantasy, the Lions were golden in 2023 and figure to be again in 2024. Goff finished as QB7. I suspect he’ll be a QB1 again in 2024. In the backfield, the team had a strong pair in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs, a rookie, finished as RB10 while Montgomery was RB17. My preference in dynasty and re-draft is Gibbs. I think he’ll be an RB1 again, with Montgomery somewhere in RB2/RB3 range as the battering ram.

In the passing game, the Lions were led by St. Brown at receiver and Sam LaPorta, who finished as TE1 as a rookie. St. Brown was WR3. Both are excellent plays in re-draft and dynasty. I like St. Brown as a WR1 in 2024 and LaPorta as a TE1 in 2024. The bigger question is what happens behind them? The team has third-year receiver Jameson Williams and former Brown Donovan Peoples-Jones. Both have some potential, but it’s Williams I’m betting on. He was a First-Round selection by the Lions who hasn’t put together a full season yet. I think he does in 2024 and ends up in the Top 50.

Prediction

There’s not a lot to dwell on with the Lions. They were good in 2023, they made few changes, and they have some incredibly fantasy assets. I think that all translates into another good year in 2024. In fact, I like the Lions to make a deep playoff run again. I’m all in on the Lions.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.