Why Lions Have Best Running Back, Offensive Line Units in NFL

Sports Illustrated ranked top units at each position.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have utilized the draft and free agency to overhaul a roster that only was able to win three games back in 2021.

Heading into the 2024 season, Detroit has two units that are considered by Sports Illustrated to be the best in the entire National Football League.

According to NFL writer Matt Verderame, Detroit's running backs and offensive line units are tops in the league.

While many draft experts panned the selection of Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the draft last year, his stellar rookie season quieted critics and even had general manager Brad Holmes boasting about his scouting department at his season ending media session.

Veteran David Montgomery acclimated quickly to Detroit and was everything the coaching staff envisioned, when the decision was made to overhaul the running backs room last offseason.

"After a slow start, the duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs took off midway through the 2023 season to help the Lions advance to the NFC championship game," Verderame writes. "Once Gibbs found his footing as a rookie, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson opened up his playbook and found a rhythm for the two running backs to throw different looks at opposing defenses."

Detroit's offensive line, despite losing Jonah Jackson, is still widely regarded as a unit that will have success and be integral in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson again having a strong rushing attack.

"If Jason Kelce had returned to Philadelphia, the Eagles would have gotten another nod. But with Kelce in the rocking chair, the Lions take their place and earn their second positional group title," explained Verderame. "The tackles are elite with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, and while losing Jonah Jackson hurts at guard, the interior still boasts All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and veteran guard Graham Glasgow."

Additional reading

1.) Lions Mock Draft Simulation 5.0

2.) Could Extensions Cost Detroit Lions Taylor Decker?

3.) Lions Draft Favorites Based on Betting Odds