5 top reactions to new Detroit Lions fantasy football projections from ESPN's Mike Clay

2. Same number of rushing scores for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs

There is certainly room for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to both have very good seasons in the Lions' offense this year. Some people are even very bullish on how many touchdowns Gibbs will score this year as a rookie.

Clay has Montgomery leading the Lions in carries (190) and rushing yards (777), over Gibbs (167 carries for 741 yards). Gibbs, naturally, leads the duo in projected receptions (47) and receiving yards (378)--compared to 36 and 276 for Montgomery, with two receiving touchdowns for Gibbs and one for Montgomery.

But Clay has each of the Lions' top two backs projected for seven rushing touchdowns, yielding projected finishes of RB16 (Gibbs) and RB25 (Montgomery) in full PPF fantasy scoring. Still, some may say Montgomery is lined up to be a very nice bargain in fantasy drafts.

1. A drop-off for Jared Goff

Goff had one of the best seasons of his career last year (4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions). But some Lions' fans won't dare invite the idea he may have some regression this year. Lest they face the reality 2022 was at or near his ceiling, with an epic streak of pass attempts he'll be going into the coming season with (324).

But alas, Clay projects Goff to throw for 3,925 yards with 24 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2023. He also projects Goff to run for not one but two touchdowns this year, which is a mark he reached in each of his final three seasons with Rams, capped by four rushing scores in 2020.

As an added takeaway here in the quarterback column for the Lions, Clay projects rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker to play in one game and complete 19 of 31 pass attempts. That would still probably make this year a "redshirt year" for Hooker, but it's interesting that Clay has any projection for Hooker.