Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored David Montgomery by 10.9 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor 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.

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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

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

9.1 PPG20.0 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jonathan Taylor put up 20.0 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while David Montgomery managed 9.1 across 17 games with the Detroit Lions. A 10.9-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

That 10.9-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while David Montgomery profiles as a more traditional rusher with 716 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: David Montgomery sits Week 6 while Jonathan Taylor is off Week 13. 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

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

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored David Montgomery by a projected 185 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 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 Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Jonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	20.0
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	340
Rushing Yards	716	1,585
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	93.2
Rushing TDs	8	18
Receptions	24	46
Receiving Yards	192	378
Targets	29	55
Total TDs	9	20
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 10.9 points per game above David Montgomery's 9.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start David Montgomery or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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 Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 10.9 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is David Montgomery or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored David Montgomery by 10.9 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.