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Head to Head

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Audric Estimé vs David MontgomeryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Montgomery is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Audric Estimé's 8.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Montgomery is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. David Montgomery edges Audric Estimé by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, David Montgomery goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew Orleans Saints#35
Audric Estimé
PPG
8.4
Games
5
Rush Yds
198
Rush TDs
1
Rec
12
Rec Yds
103
Bye
Week 8
RBDetroit Lions#33PPG LEADER
David Montgomery
PPG
9.1
Games
17
Rush Yds
716
Rush TDs
8
Rec
24
Rec Yds
192
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Audric Estimé
David Montgomery

Head to Head

8.4 PPG9.1 PPG
5 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Audric Estimé is producing at 38% of elite pace and David Montgomery at 41%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Audric Estimé vs David Montgomery: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Audric Estimé and David Montgomery is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 PPG with the New Orleans Saints across 5 games, and David Montgomery posted 9.1 with the Detroit Lions in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Audric Estimé ran for 198 yards and 1 touchdowns; David Montgomery posted 716 and 8. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Audric Estimé has his bye in Week 8, and David Montgomery rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Audric Estimé (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. David Montgomery (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • David Montgomery outscored Audric Estimé by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. That durability gap means David Montgomery contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • David Montgomery scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Audric Estimé is 6 years younger than David Montgomery (22 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Audric Estimé vs David Montgomery: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAudric EstiméDavid Montgomery
PPG (Half-PPR)8.49.1
Games Played517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)42155
Rushing Yards198716
Rush Yds/Game39.642.1
Rushing TDs18
Receptions1224
Receiving Yards103192
Targets1329
Total TDs19
Age2228
Experience1 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, David Montgomery holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.1 points per game. Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Audric Estimé or David Montgomery in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, David Montgomery has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Audric Estimé's 8.4 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Audric Estimé and David Montgomery average in 2025?

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. David Montgomery averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and David Montgomery's bye weeks in 2026?

Audric Estimé (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Audric Estimé or David Montgomery a better fantasy running back in 2026?

David Montgomery outscored Audric Estimé by 0.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.