When David Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions in March 2023, fantasy football enthusiasts quickly jumped on his hype train. However, the situation shifted when Jahmyr Gibbs was drafted in April, though Montgomery still held significant fantasy appeal.
Last season, Montgomery proved to be an ideal complement to Gibbs, amassing over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite his workload decreasing as Gibbs emerged late in the season, Montgomery’s role in the Lions’ offense remains relevant this year.
While the anticipated shift of backfield workload towards Gibbs might lead some to label Montgomery a fantasy bust this season, a more measured perspective reveals his potential value in the right context.
Montgomery’s current ADP in the mid-to-late RB2 range may seem high to some, but even with a 25-30% reduction in his production from last year, he would still exceed 700 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. This isn’t last year’s output, but it’s still valuable in fantasy terms.
David Montgomery receives a high ranking in a specific fantasy RB category. In his fantasy football running back preview, Heath Cummings of CBS Sports ranked handcuffs to target in PPR league drafts, placing Montgomery at the top of the list despite near-disqualification for being more than just a handcuff.
“Obviously, David Montgomery is much more than a handcuff,” Cummings noted. “But the reason he’s on this list, and someone like Tyrone Tracy is not, is that Montgomery could be a league-winner if Jahmyr Gibbs gets hurt. Tracy’s role might not change with one injury. So, while Montgomery can be a flex in a PPR league even without an injury, he’s also one of the best handcuffs.”
Montgomery stretches the definition of a handcuff running back, as Cummings admitted. He is one Gibbs injury away from being a full-blown workhorse back, with undeniable upside if Gibbs were out for a while.
Therefore, drafting Gibbs in the late-first or early second round, followed by Montgomery in the sixth or seventh round, wouldn’t be unreasonable. The gap in ADPs makes Montgomery a viable option for those who draft Gibbs. Alternatively, as Cummings suggested, Montgomery could be a smart draft target for those who don’t draft Gibbs.
