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By Andrew Gould
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Many 2026 fantasy football drafts have started with Jahmyr Gibbs getting selected as the first pick. The Detroit Lions running back thinks those drafters made the right choice.
Gibbs told reporters Tuesday that he "for sure" would draft himself with the No. 1 pick if he played fantasy football.
"I'm either going to make a lot of people happy or mad," Gibbs said, via 97.1 The Ticket. "We'll see."
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Some fantasy football managers used the top choice on Bijan Robinson, who registered an NFL-leading 2,298 scrimmage yards last season. The Atlanta Falcons star garnered 46 more touches than Gibbs, but David Montgomery's departure could create a much meatier role for Gibbs in 2026.
Montgomery scored 33 rushing touchdowns over three seasons in Detroit and received 24 carries inside the 10-yard line in 2025. Those red-zone looks could go to Gibbs, who still scored 18 touchdowns last season.
Even with Montgomery remaining an active member of Detroit's high-octane offense, Gibbs amassed 1,223 rushing yards and 616 receiving yards on 77 catches. His snap rate increased from 56% to 67%, and that upward trend may continue in 2026.
"I guess I'm getting most of the carries," Gibbs said, per Lions.com's Tim Twentyman. "I feel good. It's nothing I haven't done before. It's going to be cool."
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ESPN expects Gibbs to justify the top billing, projecting him to tally 1,959 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns on 359 touches. No non-quarterback is forecasted to deliver more fantasy points in its scoring system than his 369.07.
Gibbs could keep delighting fantasy football managers with another dominant season in Detroit. Those who picked him will hope he piles up points when the Lions host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon.
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