Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs Rico DowdleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy play this season.

Rico Dowdle is the better play on a neutral week. 11.6 PPG with 1,373 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 Rico Dowdle 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

RBCarolina Panthers#21PPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

Rico Dowdle

Head to Head

9.1 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Rico Dowdle: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and Rico Dowdle at 53%. That ranking gap means Rico Dowdle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs Rico Dowdle: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between David Montgomery and Rico Dowdle is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions running back put up 9.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Rico Dowdle of the Carolina Panthers averaged 11.6 in 17. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Rico Dowdle, 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; Rico Dowdle posted 1076 and 6. 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 6, and Rico Dowdle rests in Week 5. 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.

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

Did You Know?

•Rico Dowdle outscored David Montgomery by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Rico Dowdle caught 39 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 Rico Dowdle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	Rico Dowdle
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	11.6
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	197
Rushing Yards	716	1,076
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	63.3
Rushing TDs	8	6
Receptions	24	39
Receiving Yards	192	297
Targets	29	50
Total TDs	9	7
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

11.6 PPG for Rico Dowdle versus 9.1 for David Montgomery in 2025. The baseline favors Rico Dowdle, 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 Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 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 Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Rico Dowdle a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rico Dowdle outscored David Montgomery by 2.5 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.