Jahmyr Gibbs' fantasy managers had plenty to celebrate during the 2025 season, as he finished as the RB4 across all major scoring formats. Yet, the journey to this achievement was anything but smooth, with Gibbs hitting a rough patch during the fantasy playoffs, finishing outside or barely within the top 24 running backs depending on the scoring system.
The Lions' offense struggled compared to its previous three seasons, with a noticeable dip in the offensive line's performance being a key factor. Despite these challenges, Gibbs shone as a pass catcher, setting career highs with 77 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns. This versatility helped him balance out some of the inconsistencies in his ground game.
A deeper dive into Gibbs' 2025 season reveals some intriguing insights. Chris Wecht of Fantasy Points highlighted a fascinating split in Gibbs' performance related to the presence of left guard Christian Mahogany.
In games where Mahogany played 10 or more snaps, Gibbs averaged 17.9 PPR points per game and 4.32 yards per carry. However, in games where Mahogany played fewer than 10 snaps, Gibbs' production soared to 28.6 PPR points per game and 6.31 yards per carry.
It's worth noting that Mahogany missed time with a fractured fibula, coinciding with head coach Dan Campbell taking over play-calling duties. While this timing might seem significant, it appears to be more coincidental than causative regarding Gibbs' performance.
A standout game against the New York Giants in Week 12 certainly skews some of these stats, but the two-yard difference in yards per carry when Mahogany was on the field is hard to overlook. Questions arise about whether Mahogany should have been activated from IR when he was, given his limited performance upon return. Despite these concerns, he was still the best option available for left guard at the time.
Looking ahead, the Lions face a critical decision regarding Mahogany's future on the offensive line. With two years of mixed results, there's uncertainty about his reliability. The team's moves in free agency and the draft will likely reflect their confidence in Mahogany's role moving forward.