Detroit

Lions

According to Gibbs, the team’s goal is to use him as a slot receiver in addition to running back. The second-year pro is well-renowned for his abilities as a pass-catcher. As a rookie, he caught 52 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown but is hoping to expand on that role this upcoming season, which could spell wonders for fantasy managers. Gibbs finished as the RB8 in fantasy points per game (16.4) in PPR leagues last season but averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game in Weeks 7-18. While he’s still at risk of losing valuable goal-line touches to David Montgomery, his stand-alone value, even with Montgomery in the lineup, makes him an enticing pick in fantasy drafts.

This extension, which includes $31.83 million in guaranteed money, keeps Decker under contract with the Lions through 2027. The eight-year vet started all 15 games he appeared in last season, allowing eight sacks on 38 pressures while earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 80.0. Decker has been a staple along the left side of the Lions’ line since the team drafted him 16th overall in 2016. Decker will turn 30 before the start of the season and should provide plenty of high-end play throughout the duration of this new deal.

Williams was getting hype as a breakout candidate all spring, with coach Dan Campbell saying at one point that he was “a man on a mission.” Another writer for The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner, said earlier that Williams “looks like a different player.” The Lions are in need of a third-year breakout from Williams, whose rookie campaign served as a redshirt season while he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the national championship game. Last season, he served a four-game suspension for violating the league gambling policy and ended the year with an underwhelming 24-354-2 line in 12 games. Williams is an explosive playmaker who could benefit from operating in an offense that also includes weapons Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. While he may be more of a boom-or-bust player in start/sit leagues, he has the ability to provide spike weeks at a moment’s notice, making him an enticing pick for best ball drafters.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Lions also worked out Lucas Havrisik, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt following Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury. Ammendola (67.0 percent) and Havrisik (75.0 percent) are coming off shaky field-goal conversion rates in 2023. McCrane (80.0 percent) and Szmyt (87.0 percent) fared better in their recent UFL stints, though none of the four inspire confidence. The Lions’ fantasy-friendly kicker role may underwhelm in 2024.

According to Lions beat writer, Tim Twentyman, Badgley “suffered a severe injury getting ready for practice” on Thursday. The veteran kicker converted on all four of his field goal attempts for the Lions last season, and was expected to compete with UFL star Jake Bates for the kicking job this summer. Bates now appears to be the frontrunner to land the job, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the team plans to bring in other kickers for added competition.

Branch went on the PUP list ahead of training camp with a minor ankle issue but is good to go now. He started 9-of-15 games as a rookie in 2023. Branch proved to be an instant play-maker, tallying three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack. He took one of his picks to the house. His playing time should grow significantly in his second season.

Baumgardner said Williams, expected to finally function as a starter in Detroit’s offense, “looks stronger through the middle, more explosive with better body control in the air and near the sideline. If he had one hit the dirt today I didn’t see it.” He added that Williams “looks like a different player from a year ago today.” This is very much in line with feedback from Lions coaches, including Dan Campbell, who said in May that Williams is a “man on a mission” after two years of uneven performance. Williams is set to operate as the team’s primary deep threat like Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown eat up short area targets from Jared Goff.

The report comes from team reporter Tim Twentyman, who notes backup T Giovanni Manu was also placed on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list. Davenport missed 13 games with the injury before signing with the Lions in the offseason. He is expected to return during training camp before suiting up as EDGE Aidan Hutchinson’s bookend in Week 1.

Team reporter Tim Twentyman reports Branch underwent an offseason cleanup procedure on his ankle and is expected to return during training camp. Despite the nagging injury, Branch played very well in his hybrid safety/slot cornerback role, leading Lions defensive backs with his 79.0 PFF coverage grade.

Reader suffered a torn quad in Week 15 against the Vikings last season. The veteran lineman signed a two-year, $27.25 million deal with the Lions earlier this offseason, but we don’t yet have a timeline on when he may return. Head coach Dan Campbell has already gone on record saying it’s unlikely Reader will return by training camp, which could make him a candidate for the PUP list once the season kicks off.