Detroit Lions DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) remained sidelined at practice on Thursday for the second straight day. LaPorta injured his left knee in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday and is up in the air to play on Sunday in the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise and was given an outside chance of playing this weekend. The second-rounder was the top-scoring fantasy tight end in his first year in the league, so Detroit would be losing a key weapon in the passing game if LaPorta is unable to practice on Friday and play on Sunday night. Brock Wright (hip), who missed the last three games of the regular season, is practicing in full and would serve as Detroit's primary pass-catching tight end on Sunday if LaPorta is sidelined.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown posted a career year this season, compiling 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and ten touchdowns. The second-year pro was one of the most reliable options in all of fantasy football, as he posted at least 16.6 PPR fantasy points in 13 of his 17 games. To begin postseason action, he draws a matchup with the struggling Los Angeles Rams' secondary. L.A. allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers during the regular season, and this game will be played at Ford Field, where Detroit has been its best in the passing attack. St. Brown is one of the most bust-proof players in the NFL, so likely worth paying up for at his $8,000 price tag in six-game DFS tournaments this weekend on DraftKings.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery enjoyed the best season of his career in his first year with the organization, rushing for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. He began the season as the clear lead back, but rookie Jahmyr Gibbs steadily ate into his workload as the season progressed. Still, he remained a fringe RB1 due to his goal-line role in one of the best offenses in the NFL. However, his Wild Card opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. While Gibbs is more matchup-proof as a pass-catching weapon, Montgomery could be at risk of busting in this spot. He'll need a touchdown to be worth using $6,200 of your budget on him in six-game contests on DraftKings.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs exploded onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, rushing 182 times for 945 yards (5.2 YPC) and 10 touchdowns and catching 52 passes for 316 yards and one touchdown. He's set to play in his first playoff game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, but Gibbs is explosive and a key piece of the team's passing game, so he always has fantasy and DFS upside. Especially if Sam LaPorta (knee) can't play, the speedster could see a ton of work through the air. Although he's been boom-or-bust lately, DFS is all about upside. For six-game contests on DraftKings, he's only the sixth-most expensive running back at $6,500.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff was excellent during the 2023 regular season, posting 4,375 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Now, he's set to face his former team in the Wild Card Round of the NFC Playoffs. Despite leading the Rams to three playoff and one Super Bowl appearance, he was traded for Matthew Stafford following the 2020 season. Now, the two are set to face off, and Goff should have success. The Rams have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points per game this season. The Rams rank 24th in total sacks (41), while Detroit has allowed the 4th-fewest sacks (30) in 2023. Ultimately, as long as Goff doesn't get too caught up in the moment, he has plenty of upside at his $9,400 price tag in DraftKings single-game DFS contests.