Two undrafted rookies headline a day of roster-theater for Detroit, as Day 16 of training camp resembled a scrimmage with implications for the 53-man cut. Kennelly flashed with first-team reps, delivering run stops and a blitz breakup that caught eyes in a crowded depth chart. Cooper answered with robust run stops and a later tackle-for-loss, hinting at versatility along the front. The Lions scrimmage-like drives exposed improved competition across offense and defense, with Gibbs and Montgomery splitting touches and St. Brown and Jameson Williams making timely plays in the red zone. Hutchinson leaned into pressure, while Robertson and Ya-Sin varied their coverage clips. Branch and Joseph showed aggressive instincts that could push youngsters for snaps behind them. The tempo with Hooker and Goff orchestrating drives from the goal line outward produced several scoring moments, including a St. Brown TD and a few red-zone successes. With Mekhi Wingo’s return looming over roster math, Detroit’s defensive line depth could tilt in subtle but meaningful ways as joint practice with Houston looms.

Detroit's plan to keep Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery on the field together is intriguing, but history suggests this will be more rhetoric than a consistent blueprint. The Lions have signaled a desire to maximize both backs, yet last season they executed two-back formations only 21 times, about 1.2 snaps per game. Even with a concerted push, a six- to seven-snap-per-game pairing would represent roughly 10% of plays—possible, but far from a seismic shift in their offense.

Gibbs' role as a potential slot weapon remains limited by past usage and the presence of Montgomery as the primary early-down and goal-line option. Gibbs posted only 96 slot snaps over two seasons (roughly three per game), and two-back alignment with a backfield mate is unlikely to alter Lions' core approach unless injuries or game script demand it. For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: expect occasional gadget moments and favorable matchups, but Montgomery should anchor the workload with Gibbs providing sporadic upside rather than a reliable weekly floor.

Detroit’s joint practice with Miami showed the Lions thriving on defense and punching back on offense in a high- tempo session. Hutchinson led the way with pressure and sacks, while the unit as a whole bottled up Tua Tagovailoa in the pocket. Jared Goff looked sharp, threading throws into tight windows and pairing with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for impressive red-zone and big-play moments. The Dolphins dealt with some live-action bumps—Chop Robinson’s spin move failed against Sewell, and there were a few skirmishes—but the Lions emerged with clear fantasy takeaways: the defense is elite, the pass rush is relentless, and Lions receivers—especially St. Brown and Williams—look poised for a feature-season boost.

Detroit's backfield remains a two-man committee as the 2025 fantasy landscape shifts around Montgomery and Gibbs. Montgomery brings steady volume and TD upside, while Gibbs adds explosive week-to-week ceiling. A knee comeback last season and a coaching staff change create questions, but Lions coach Dan Campbell won’t let Montgomery fade. Gibbs’ late-season surge showed what the committee could become if he maintains high usage. Expect a volatile but rich RB duo with weekly playoff upside.

Divisional Round losses and OC changes aside, the Lions appear committed to keeping both backs involved, with Morton potentially reshaping roles but not erasing the two-man basis. In fantasy drafts, Montgomery is a safer RB2 floor, and Gibbs carries(fd) significant upside as a high-end RB2/elite flex when his touches remain buoyant. The duo’s balance could keep opponents honest and sustain Lions’ scoring drives, especially in PPR formats where Gibbs’ receiving role matters.

The table-backed track record shows Montgomery posting multiple productive seasons, while Gibbs’ late-season performances hinted at a ceiling that could redefine the Lions’ backfield usage. The dynamic playmaking mix matters for fantasy life, as Montgomery’s floor remains solid and Gibbs’ ceiling could explode in favorable matchups. Draft strategy centers on pairing Montgomery’s floor with Gibbs’ upside, while monitoring coaching signals and health.)

Excitement is palpable as Tashard Choice, the new running backs coach for the Detroit Lions, brings a distinct Southern flair and high energy to the practice field. His coaching style, characterized by equal parts praise and constructive criticism, aims to refine the skills of the running backs. With a focus on individual drills and team activities, Choice's dynamic approach is designed to elevate the performance of players like Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, while helping them adapt to the Lions' offensive scheme.

As the season progresses, the challenge lies in the adaptation of the players to Choice's coaching philosophy. Building strong relationships with his unit will be key for Choice, as he emphasizes accountability and improvement. The impact of his coaching could be crucial for the team's success as they aim for a competitive season in the NFC North.