Head to Head · Start / Sit

David Montgomery vs Saquon Barkley

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

RBHouston Texans

David Montgomery

PPG

9.1

Games

Rush Yds

716

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 14

RBPhiladelphia EaglesPPG LEADER

Saquon Barkley

PPG

13.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,140

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

273

Bye

Week 5

Head to Head

9.1 PPG13.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

David Montgomery vs Saquon Barkley: Who Should You Start?

David Montgomery and Saquon Barkley are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. David Montgomery averaged 9.1 PPG across 17 games with the Houston Texans, while Saquon Barkley posted 13.4 PPG in 16 appearances for the Philadelphia Eagles.

A 4.3-PPG gap gives Saquon Barkley the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. David Montgomery ran for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 and 7. 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 14 while Saquon Barkley is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Saquon Barkley outscored David Montgomery by 4.3 PPG in 2025 (13.4 to 9.1). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start David Montgomery or Saquon Barkley in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Saquon Barkley has the edge at 13.4 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 Saquon Barkley average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and Saquon Barkley's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Montgomery (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Saquon Barkley (PHI) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Montgomery or Saquon Barkley a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Saquon Barkley outscored David Montgomery by 4.3 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.