David Montgomery vs Javonte Williams: Who Should You Start?
David Montgomery and Javonte Williams are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. David Montgomery averaged 9.1 PPG across 17 games with the Houston Texans, while Javonte Williams posted 14.1 PPG in 16 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys.
A 5.0-PPG gap gives Javonte Williams the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Javonte Williams posted 1201 and 11. 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 14, and Javonte Williams 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.
