Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Josh Jacobs outscored David Montgomery by 5.5 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Josh Jacobs 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

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

9.1 PPG14.6 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between David Montgomery and Josh Jacobs for your lineup, you are not alone. David Montgomery finished the 2025 season at 9.1 PPG for the Detroit Lions (17 games), and Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 for the Green Bay Packers (15 games).

That 5.5-point weekly advantage for Josh Jacobs 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. 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 Josh Jacobs is off Week 11. 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

Josh Jacobs 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. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored David Montgomery by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Jacobs's 15. That durability gap means David Montgomery contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 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 Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	14.6
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	219
Rushing Yards	716	929
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	61.9
Rushing TDs	8	13
Receptions	24	36
Receiving Yards	192	282
Targets	29	44
Total TDs	9	14
Age	28	28
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Josh Jacobs at 14.6 PPG, 5.5 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 Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored David Montgomery by 5.5 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.