Lions GM believes RB upgrades will improve offense

Lions general manager Brad Holmes believes Detroit's upgrades in the backfield will take the team's offense to new heights.

"I do think we'll be better offensively. ... (D'Andre) Swift is a dynamic player, and Jamaal (Williams) was a great leader for us. ... But I think (David) Montgomery and Jamaal are different backs," Holmes told "The Season with Peter Schrager" podcast.

"Montgomery does a little bit more in the passing game. And being able to add (Jahmyr) Gibbs, he's just so dynamic as a receiver."

Williams led the team in carries last season, totaling 1,066 rushing yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns, but provided minimal help in the passing game.

The 28-year-old had 16 targets for 73 yards and zero touchdowns, as Swift was the team's go-to target for quarterback Jared Goff in the backfield. The Lions decided to replace Williams with Montgomery, who has 1,240 receiving yards in four years since entering the league.

Detroit dealt Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles on draft weekend and selected Gibbs 12th overall, continuing the team's overhaul at running back.

Holmes believes Gibbs can be a similar player to star running backs Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey.

"I was a huge Marshall Faulk guy ... just kind of seeing what he does in both phases," Holmes said. "And just from a scouting standpoint, when Christian McCaffrey came out, he was the last guy that I was like, 'Holy cow, this guy can run routes like a slot receiver but also run it.' ...

"I'm not sitting here saying Gibbs is those players, but (he's) just a special weapon like that. We have a lot of excitement and optimism."

The Lions' offense finished 11th in yards per carry in 2022.

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