Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Montgomery is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Montgomery is the better fantasy play this season.

David Montgomery is the better play on a neutral week. 9.1 PPG with 911 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Carter at 6.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft David Montgomery higher, but do not fade Michael Carter entirely.

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

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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

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Michael Carter

Head to Head

9.1 PPG6.3 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means David Montgomery carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between David Montgomery and Michael Carter is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions running back put up 9.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Michael Carter of the Arizona Cardinals averaged 6.3 in 13. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors David Montgomery, 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: David Montgomery is off Week 6 and Michael Carter Week 14. 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

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

Did You Know?

•David Montgomery outscored Michael Carter by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. 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.
•Michael Carter caught 33 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 Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	6.3
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	82
Rushing Yards	716	333
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	25.6
Rushing TDs	8	1
Receptions	24	33
Receiving Yards	192	267
Targets	29	45
Total TDs	9	1
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

9.1 PPG for David Montgomery versus 6.3 for Michael Carter 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, David Montgomery has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

David Montgomery outscored Michael Carter by 2.8 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.