NFL Week 1 'TNF' Player Props: David Montgomery in Lions vs. Chiefs

Everyone is bullish on rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and his expected involvement in the passing game. What if it's the other Lions RB we should have our eye on?

Week 1 TNF Player Prop: Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Don't get it twisted, I think Gibbs is going to be a vital part of this offense from the get-go, and his pass-catching prowess is a big reason why. Coaches and fans alike have been gassing up Gibbs and his role in this offense as a receiving threat, and it's not hard to see why.

Beyond the college production from Gibbs (1,217 yards in three seasons), Kansas City is also a great target for running backs catching the football. A quick look back to the teams that allowed the most receptions to running backs shows us that no team allowed more catches to RBs than the Chiefs at 112 last season. 

Ok, we all agree Gibbs' looks solid, and his line, currently at 31.5, has been growing all week and remains a viable look.

However, he's not the only running back on this roster who can catch the football. David Montgomery has averaged nearly 21 receiving yards per game in his career, and caught 34 of his 39 targets last season, good for the fifth-highest catch rate amongst RBs with at least 30 targets.

Montgomery's receiving line is down at just 11.5 yards. He exceeded this total in 10 of his 16 games last year and over the past three seasons, the former Bears running back has hit 12+ receiving yards in 72.7% of his games.

There continues to be murmurs that Gibbs might be used as more of a downfield threat. Let me reiterate: that is fantastic and he should have a productive night as well. To me, that just reads that Montgomery should have even more of the traditional passing duties often handed to running backs, such as screens and short dump offs.