David Montgomery

David Montgomery’s 2026 fantasy outlook is brighter after his offseason trade from Detroit to Houston, where he is expected to open the year as the Texans’ No. 1 back and primary goal-line runner. That role gives him a clearer path to steady touches and touchdown chances than he had late last season with the Lions, which is why his stock has risen again in early 2026 drafts.

The case for Montgomery is volume and scoring opportunity. Multiple recent previews project him for a meaningful workload in Houston, with estimates ranging from about 225 touches and 1,000 total yards to around 199 carries, 31 catches, and 7 total touchdowns. He has also been described as a strong volume-driven RB2 who could flirt with RB1 production if he holds onto the lead role and handles the short-yardage work the Texans need.

There are still real reasons for caution. Houston’s offense is not expected to be as efficient or as touchdown-rich as Detroit’s, and several analysts expect at least some rotation with Woody Marks, which could cap Montgomery’s weekly ceiling. His 2025 production also showed the downside of shared backfields, as he finished as the RB27 in fantasy points after a quiet season by his standards, even though he played all 17 games for the first time in his career.

The best way to draft Montgomery in 2026 is as a dependable running back with touchdown upside rather than a true elite difference-maker. If you want a back who should see early-down work, goal-line carries, and enough receptions to stay usable in most formats, Montgomery fits well as a mid-range RB2 with a realistic path to outperform that price. His ceiling is tied to Houston’s scoring efficiency, but his floor is much better now that he has escaped the timeshare that held him back in Detroit.

Updated 06/08/2026