Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Derrick HenryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Derrick Henry outscored David Montgomery by 6.9 PPG in 2025 with 16 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derrick Henry is the clear pick. David Montgomery profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track David Montgomery and Derrick Henry in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBDetroit Lions#33

David Montgomery

PPG

9.1

Games

Rush Yds

716

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 6

RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Derrick Henry

Head to Head

9.1 PPG16.0 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Derrick Henry at 73%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Derrick Henry: The Full Breakdown

Derrick Henry and David Montgomery are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Baltimore Ravens running back averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025, a full 6.9 points per game ahead of David Montgomery's 9.1 with the Detroit Lions. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 6.9 points favors Derrick Henry, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Derrick Henry posted 1595 and 16. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

David Montgomery has his bye in Week 6, and Derrick Henry rests in Week 13. 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

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. David Montgomery is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: David Montgomery (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored David Montgomery by a projected 117 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•David Montgomery is 4 years younger than Derrick Henry (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

David Montgomery vs Derrick Henry: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Derrick Henry
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	16.0
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	272
Rushing Yards	716	1,595
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	93.8
Rushing TDs	8	16
Receptions	24	15
Receiving Yards	192	150
Targets	29	21
Total TDs	9	16
Age	28	32
Experience	6 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 9.1 for David Montgomery in 2025. The baseline favors Derrick Henry, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on David Montgomery vs Derrick Henry

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on David Montgomery vs Derrick Henry

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start David Montgomery or Derrick Henry in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to David Montgomery's 9.1 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 David Montgomery and Derrick Henry average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.9 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Derrick Henry's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Derrick Henry a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored David Montgomery by 6.9 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.