David Montgomery, the talented running back for the Detroit Lions, has emerged as a player to cautiously watch. Nobody should be rushing to sell or buy just yet. Although, the case can be made for both. The primary factor complicating Montgomery’s fantasy value is the emergence of the rising star, Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs is destined to challenge Montgomery for the title of the Lions franchise running back. We will discuss that and more reasons that make Montgomery a cautious hold in fantasy football.
Montgomery was Drafted 10th overall in the 3rd round by the Chicago Bears in 2019 out of Iowa State. Montgomery arrived in the NFL with high expectations and although the Bears wanted more out of him, he has shown great potential. However, as the competition heats up with Gibbs, Montgomery’s trajectory could pivot depending on his performance and the Lions’ future roster decisions.
Jahmyr Gibbs’s rookie season performance shows his great potential. Gibbs ended with 945 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Further, with 316 receiving yards and 1 touchdown through the air, Gibbs’s debut closely mirrors Montgomery’s production levels. Montgomery had 1,015 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns alongside 117 receiving yards. This easily puts Gibbs and Montgomery in a battle for the foreseeable future for the top spot in the Lions’ running back room.
As Gibbs continues to compete neck-and-neck with Montgomery in production, the question of who will emerge as the primary running back for the Detroit Lions will only snowball. While Montgomery presents a solid case with his solid frame measured at 5’11” and 224 lbs, his tenure with the Lions could be jeopardized by Gibbs’s rapid ascent.
Montgomery’s pending status as an unrestricted free agent in 2026 adds a layer of uncertainty to his fantasy value. Should Montgomery’s production flatline or increase, the Lions may opt to let him go instead of investing heavily in the run game. With Gibbs also as a possible franchise back, they have the luxury of losing Montgomery without a steep talent drop.
In conclusion, David Montgomery’s future with the Detroit Lions will be one to watch unfold closely if you have Montgomery. Montgomery’s proven track record and solid frame presents an asset to buy into. Although, Jahmyr Gibbs adds uncertainty to his future potential. For fantasy managers, the right move would be to hold Montgomery and every single week reevaluate the production of Gibbs and Montgomery and let the Lions organization show us how they view their running back duo. If Gibbs is used more, Montgomery will immediately become a player to sell. Otherwise, there may be hope for Montgomery’s future in Detroit.
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