Is Jahmyr Gibbs a must-start in fantasy after breakout vs. Raiders?

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Is Lions rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs a must-start for fantasy players after breakout vs. Raiders?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/31/23

After Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs broke out in a win against the Las Vegas Raiders, he's on the verge of becoming a must-start for fantasy players.

"Gibbs will remain a must-start player for as long as [David] Montgomery remains out," wrote Pro Football Focus fantasy analyst Nathan Jahnke. "The Lions have a bye week next week, so this might have been Gibbs' last game as a starter."

Montgomery, who's recovering from a rib injury, leads the team in rushing TDs this season (six in five games), so it wouldn't be shocking if the team gives him RB1 duties when he returns.

It's hard to ignore Gibbs' potential, though. In the 26-14 victory, the 12th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft logged 189 yards on 31 touches. Per Pro Football Reference, he scored a season-high 24.9 fantasy points.

JAHMYR GIBBS BREAKOUT GAME

: #LVvsDET on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/3b1HZU34bs pic.twitter.com/Tk53pg167Z
— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2023

Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised the former Alabama star in a postgame news conference.

"Every week, he's just gotten a little bit better and a little better," Campbell said. "I think this was kind of the tip of the iceberg, if you will, for what he's able to do and what he's going to be able to do. Really proud of him."

Since Gibbs keeps progressing, the Lions could increase his workload and give Montgomery more time to recuperate.

"The Lions coaching staff has insisted it will ride the hot hand between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs," wrote ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "It would make sense for Gibbs to continue to carry the heavy workload until Montgomery returns to full strength. Then, once Montgomery is back, tailor the usage to each opponent going forward."

Fantasy players should keep Gibbs in their lineup because he has RB1 potential, and Detroit will probably give him more touches.

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