Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

David Montgomery vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to David Montgomery's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 9.1), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. David Montgomery is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

David Montgomery

James Conner

Head to Head

9.1 PPG11.0 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, David Montgomery is producing at 41% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means David Montgomery carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

David Montgomery vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

David Montgomery and James Conner 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 Detroit Lions, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG in 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 1.9-PPG gap gives James Conner 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; James Conner posted 752 and 5. 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 James Conner Week 11. 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. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored David Montgomery by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Montgomery played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

David Montgomery vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	David Montgomery	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	11.0
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	154
Rushing Yards	716	752
Rush Yds/Game	42.1	53.7
Rushing TDs	8	5
Receptions	24	28
Receiving Yards	192	218
Targets	29	0
Total TDs	9	6
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

James Conner outscored David Montgomery by 1.9 PPG in 2025 (11.0 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 James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner average in 2025?▾

David Montgomery averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are David Montgomery and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is David Montgomery or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored David Montgomery by 1.9 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.