# David Montgomery NFL player. Position: **RB**. Team: **HOU**. ## Quick Facts - **Position:** RB - **Team:** HOU (Houston Texans) - **Bye week (2026):** 8 - **FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21):** 61 ## 2026 Outlook Acquired by the Texans in a trade (4th and 7th round picks) ahead of the 2026 offseason, Montgomery is expected to be Houston's lead back after splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit the past three years. He'll operate in offensive coordinator Nick Caley's system alongside C.J. Stroud and a revamped offensive line (Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith added in free agency). The depth chart shows him as the starter with Woody Marks as the primary backup. (per How Texans' 2026 depth chart is taking shape after latest moves, Texans Doubling Down on C.J. Stroud Behind Revamped Offense) **Major riser for 2026:** Montgomery was a fading fantasy asset stuck behind Gibbs in Detroit, but the Texans trade kick-started his outlook. At age 29, he has a chance to produce fantasy RB2 numbers once again with potential for more. This mirrors Joe Mixon's path: Mixon finished RB5 overall in 2024 with the Texans, racking up 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. Montgomery handled at least 235 touches per season during his first five campaigns with the Bears, showing bellcow capability. With minimal competition (Marks is slotted for pass-catching work), Montgomery is positioned for a resurgence (per Fantasy Football Roundtable: Here are our biggest offseason risers going into the 2026 NFL season). Matthew Berry identified Montgomery as a clear bounceback candidate: he was nearly phased out of Detroit's offense in 2025 after Dan Campbell took over playcalling, dropping to just 35% of snaps and 33% of rush attempts from Week 10 on. His weekly touches plummeted to 8.9 per game from Week 10 forward. The Texans acquisition is designed to reverse this decline: Montgomery should eclipse his career average of 14.1 touches per game, with Woody Marks handling pass-game work to leave Montgomery as the primary power runner. The combination of restored volume and improved offensive line (Teller, Smith) positions him for a major 2026 resurgence (per Fantasy Football Bounceback Candidates For 2026: Christian Watson, Drake London, And More - Fantasy Life). Sports Illustrated (March 2026) identifies Montgomery as a RISER: "Montgomery has moved out of Jahmyr Gibbs' shadow in Detroit and is now projected to be the starter in Houston after they traded for him. With Gibbs taking more and more work for the Lions, we expect Montgomery to get a significant bump in volume with the Texans. His value would have only dropped if he had stayed put, but it is now on the rise with his new team" (per 2026 Fantasy Football Risers And Fallers: Malik Willis, Alvin Kamara And Four More - Sports Illustrated). OC Nick Caley praised Montgomery's tough, physical running style at OTAs. Caley said he's "all day tough" who "runs behind his pads, stays grounded" and won't go down to arm tackles, adding "he's going to try to run through you every single chance." This is the type of downhill, power-running approach the Texans value and highlights why they targeted him over other receiving-back specialists. (per Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley discusses relationship with C.J. Stroud). **First-time starter opportunity (June 2026):** After spending his entire career as a backup or split-carry back, Montgomery is finally getting his primary shot as a starter with Houston. He has "a world of potential as a starter" and the Texans' investment in the offensive line (Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith, Evan Brown) and improved QB play (Stroud's supporting cast upgrades) create an ideal landing spot. This opportunity mirrors Joe Mixon's path—Mixon finished RB5 in 2024 with the Texans after playing in a limited role elsewhere, suggesting the system rewards backs with volume and solid run blocking. Montgomery's age (29) and the window for production make 2026 a critical year to capitalize on this starter role. (per C.J. Stroud's 2026 Outlook: Can The Texans QB Silence His Critics?) Despite recent decline in Detroit (RB32 in PPG in weeks 12-18), Montgomery retains elite receiving and rushing efficiency metrics: ranked 12th in yards-after-contact per attempt, 22nd in yards-per-route-run, and 12th in first-downs-per-route-run. With Woody Marks handling pass-catching duties, Montgomery positioned to absorb volume similar to Joe Mixon's 2024 campaign (RB5 finish with 281 touches). Should avoid backfield splitting and be strong volume-driven RB2 with RB1 upside. (per David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026) - FantasyPros). Fantasy experts view Montgomery as one of the safest RB2 values with upside. Even at a conservative 60% workload, his draft price assumes enough volume to return value; if his share grows, he has a realistic path to top-15 RB. TD upside is significant—Houston's running backs have consistently underperformed near the goal line, but Montgomery has a career history of finishing drives. (per 10 Must-Have Draft Picks Experts Love (2026 Fantasy Football)). ## Role / Depth Chart Clear starter at RB for Houston, handling 15-20+ carries per week. Woody Marks will serve as change-of-pace back and receiving threat, allowing Montgomery to focus on power running and receiving work from traditional RB role (as he did alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit). ## Injury Status No reported injuries. Healthy heading into 2026 season. ## Recent News - 2026-07-10 — 2024 Throwback: Detroit Lions Top 10 Injury News - Davis & Montgomery (2024 Throwback: Detroit Lions Top 10 Injury News - Davis & Montgomery) - 2026-07-02 — David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026) (David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026)) - 2026-06-25 — David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026) (David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026)) - 2026-04-02 — Fantasy Football 2026 Bounce-Back Players Experts Love (Fantasy Football 2026 Bounce-Back Players Experts Love) - 2026-03-25 — The 2026 fantasy football season starts now -- here's what you need to know so far (The 2026 fantasy football season starts now -- here's what you need to know so far) - 2026-06-01 — 100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more (100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more) - 2026-06-22 — 2026 NFL training camp report dates, joint practices, top storyline for all 32 teams (2026 NFL training camp report dates, joint practices, top storyline for all 32 teams) - 2026-05-01 — Picking winners and losers for the Texans after the 2026 NFL Draft (Picking winners and losers for the Texans after the 2026 NFL Draft) - 2026-03-01 — 2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs (2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs) - 2026-05-30 — NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026] (NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026]) ## Open Questions _(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)_ --- Source: https://chatffb.com/players/david-montgomery · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.