Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Montgomery is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Montgomery is the better fantasy play this season.

David Montgomery is the better play on a neutral week. 9.1 PPG with 911 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ezekiel Elliott at 7.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft David Montgomery higher, but do not fade Ezekiel Elliott entirely.

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

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RBDetroit Lions#33PPG LEADER

David Montgomery

PPG

9.1

Games

Rush Yds

716

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 6

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

9.1 PPG7.2 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means David Montgomery carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions running back put up 9.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys averaged 7.2 in 14. A 1.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.9 points favors David Montgomery, 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; Ezekiel Elliott posted 452 and 3. 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 Ezekiel Elliott rests in Week 7. 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: David Montgomery (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•David Montgomery outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

David Montgomery vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	7.2
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	101
Rushing Yards	716	452
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	32.3
Rushing TDs	8	3
Receptions	24	18
Receiving Yards	192	128
Targets	29	0
Total TDs	9	3
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

9.1 PPG for David Montgomery versus 7.2 for Ezekiel Elliott in 2025. The baseline favors David Montgomery, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start David Montgomery or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, David Montgomery has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

David Montgomery outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 1.9 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.