Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Montgomery is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Montgomery is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, David Montgomery and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

9.1 PPG8.0 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means David Montgomery carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

David Montgomery (9.1 PPG) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. David Montgomery played 17 games for the Detroit Lions; Jacory Croskey-Merritt suited up 17 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted 805 and 8. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: David Montgomery sits Week 6 while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•David Montgomery outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	8.0
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	136
Rushing Yards	716	805
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	47.4
Rushing TDs	8	8
Receptions	24	9
Receiving Yards	192	68
Targets	29	13
Total TDs	9	8
Age	28	25
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

9.1 PPG for David Montgomery versus 8.0 for Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, David Montgomery has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

David Montgomery outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 1.1 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.