David Montgomery enters the 2026 season with a retooled offensive line and a clearer path to lead-back duties, making him a viable fantasy asset at his cur
David Montgomery heads into the 2026 Detroit Lions season as one of the more intriguing late-round fantasy targets, positioned to reclaim lead-back responsibilities after a 2025 campaign in which he averaged 4.3 yards per carry while sharing a backfield that limited his weekly ceiling. With Detroit overhauling its interior offensive line this offseason and the Lions entering training camp without a proven passing-down specialist to challenge him, Montgomery carries legitimate upside heading into the fall.
Why Montgomery Is Positioned Differently in 2026
Montgomery has spent three seasons proving he can function as a productive lead back when given a clear role, posting 1,015 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023 and demonstrating consistent production inside the red zone across his career. The Lions addressed a pressing need this offseason by adding a veteran guard in free agency and selecting an offensive lineman in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to NFL.com. That investment up front directly benefits a runner who operates best behind a push at the line of scrimmage rather than creating through contact in open space.
The Backfield Situation in Detroit
The departure of Jahmyr Gibbs via trade this offseason restructured Detroit is backfield entirely, leaving Montgomery as the presumptive feature back entering camp. Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, before departing for a head coaching role, built one of the NFL is most run-heavy systems, and his successor has shown no indication of abandoning that identity. According to ESPN NFL, the Lions ranked fourth in rushing attempts per game in 2025 at 28.4, a volume floor that projects to keep Montgomery relevant on a week-to-week basis even in modest game scripts. Fantasy managers can track Detroit is injury updates and game-day statuses through our live scores page throughout the season.
What Analysts Are Saying About His Value
Multiple fantasy analysts have flagged Montgomery as a value at his current average draft position, which sits outside the top 20 running backs in most July formats. The Athletic is fantasy staff noted that backs in clear lead roles on top-ten rushing offenses historically outperform their ADP by at least one positional tier. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said during minicamp that Montgomery is the team is starter entering camp and that Detroit intends to establish the run as its offensive foundation. For managers building lineups around a streaming-friendly schedule, our streaming guide can help identify the matchups where Montgomery is upside peaks.
What to Watch This Preseason
The key variables to monitor through August are Montgomery is workload share in preseason reps, whether Detroit adds a receiving back who could siphon third-down snaps, and the health of the offensive line entering the regular season. If Montgomery exits camp with 65 percent or more of the backfield carries and no credible challenger emerges, his current ADP becomes one of the cleaner values in the 2026 fantasy market.
Stream NFL Football live today
No cable needed. Start a free trial and watch every game live.