Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Jaylen WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Warren is the better play on a neutral week. 12.3 PPG with 1,291 yards gives a reliable baseline. David Montgomery at 9.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Warren higher, but do not fade David Montgomery entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBDetroit Lions#33

David Montgomery

PPG

9.1

Games

Rush Yds

716

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 6

RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Jaylen Warren

Head to Head

9.1 PPG12.3 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jaylen Warren at 56%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Jaylen Warren: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between David Montgomery and Jaylen Warren is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions running back put up 9.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 12.3 in 16. A 3.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.2 points favors Jaylen Warren, 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.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while David Montgomery profiles as a more traditional rusher with 716 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: David Montgomery is off Week 6 and Jaylen Warren Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jaylen Warren 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. Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored David Montgomery by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Warren's 16. 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.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

David Montgomery vs Jaylen Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Jaylen Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	12.3
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	197
Rushing Yards	716	958
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	59.9
Rushing TDs	8	6
Receptions	24	40
Receiving Yards	192	333
Targets	29	45
Total TDs	9	8
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 9

Summary

12.3 PPG for Jaylen Warren versus 9.1 for David Montgomery in 2025. The baseline favors Jaylen Warren, 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 Jaylen Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Jaylen Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Jaylen Warren a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored David Montgomery by 3.2 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.