David Montgomery Has a Clear Path To Fantasy Football Success With Houston

With Joe Mixon missing the entire 2025 season, the Texans struggled on the ground. They only averaged 3.9 yards per carry as a team, which was the fourth-worst mark in the NFL. Knowing that they needed to improve in that area, they acquired David Montgomery in a trade with the Lions during the offseason. A significant increase in workload is heading his way, meaning that his fantasy football stock is on the rise.

Click here for more 2026 Player Profiles!

Timeshare in Detroit

Montgomery spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bears. In each of them, he registered at least 201 rushing attempts. Even when he only appeared in 13 games in 2021, he ran 225 times. He filled a similar role during his first season with the Lions in 2023, turning 219 carries into 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Although Montgomery followed up with 12 touchdowns in 2024, his workload started to decline because of the emerging Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs received 250 rushing attempts that year, compared to 185 for Montgomery. Montgomery’s role declined even more last year, resulting in him registering 716 yards and eight touchdowns over 158 carries.

Pass Catching Opportunities

Gibbs is one of the most electric running backs in the league, both on the ground and in the passing game. In 2024, he caught 52 of 62 targets. He followed that up with 77 receptions on 94 targets last year. With him being so involved in the passing game, the Lions didn’t ask for much from Montgomery in that department. He was given 38 targets in 2024, then just 29 targets last year.

While Montgomery didn’t see a ton of passes thrown his way, he didn’t let his limited opportunities go to waste. Over those two years, he caught all but seven of his targets. He averaged 9.5 yards per reception in 2024 and 8.0 yards per catch in 2025. In 2020, he received 68 targets as a member of the Bears. He converted them into 54 receptions for 438 yards and two touchdowns.

Texans Offense

The Texans’ defense propelled them to a 12-5 record last season. They averaged 23.8 points per game as a team, but their rushing attack didn’t help much in that area. They finished with just nine rushing touchdowns, which was tied for the second fewest in the NFL. Montgomery helped the Lions finish with 21 scores on the ground.

Woody Marks led the way for the Texans at running back last season, but he wasn’t great in the red zone. For the season, he received 33 carries inside the red zone, nine of which came within five yards. Still, he finished with only two touchdowns. The Lions gave Montgomery 34 carries inside the red zone, with 16 of them being inside of five yards. That helped him produce eight rushing touchdowns.

The Texans’ inability to run the ball last year wasn’t completely Marks’ fault. Their offensive line wasn’t great at creating holes for him. According to 4for4’s NFL Team Stat Explorer, the Texans had the second-worst explosive rush rate (6.1%). In addition to trading for Montgomery, the Texans upgraded their offensive line. They signed guard Wyatt Teller and tackle Braden Smith in free agency, while also selecting center Keylan Rutledge with the 26th pick in the draft. They also re-signed guard Ed Ingram to a three-year contract. They have significantly increased their talent up front, which should help their running game improve.

Per 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, Montgomery has an ADP of 49, making him RB20. He is being selected after the likes of Travis Etienne (ADP 38) and Cam Skattebo (ADP 42), and ahead of D’Andre Swift (ADP 50) and Quinshon Judkins (ADP 51). Even TreVeyon Henderson (ADP 52) is being selected in a similar range.

It’s not difficult to make a case for Montgomery over any of those five players. The Saints just restructured Alvin Kamara’s contract, so he will still be in the fold to take some work away from Etienne. Skattebo should be the lead back for the Giants, but coming off a season-ending leg injury, it’s unclear if he can hold up over the course of an entire season based on his physical style of play. Swift could cede more carries to Kyle Monangai, the Browns’ lackluster options at quarterback could limit their offense and opportunities for Judkins, and Henderson still has Rhamondre Stevenson to deal with on the Patriots. The Texans have a more-than-competent quarterback in C.J. Stroud, a top-tier wide receiver in Nico Collins, and Marks isn’t likely to take many carries away from Montgomery.

There’s a lot to like here, leaving Montgomery with the potential to outproduce his ADP. He could end up being a high-end RB2 in fantasy football. We’ve seen him do it before. Per 4for4’s Fantasy Points Browser, Montgomery finished as RB13 in 2023. That’s even with Gibbs finishing as RB10 that year.

The Bottom Line

• David Montgomery was stuck in a timeshare with Jahmyr Gibbs during most of his tenure with the Lions. Still, he remained a valuable fantasy football option, thanks in large part to his touchdown prowess.
• After being traded to the Texans during the offseason, he now finds himself in a position to be a lead running back again. He should even receive more work in the passing game.
• The Texans also improved their offensive line, which should further elevate Montgomery’s upside.
• According to 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, Montgomery has an ADP of 49 and is RB20.
• Without the presence of a top-tier running back like Gibbs to limit his workload, Montgomery has the potential to outproduce his current ADP. The stars could be aligning for him to be a top-tier RB2 in fantasy football.