David Montgomery: A Fantasy Football Analysis for 2025 📊
Montgomery's Consistency as a Fantasy Starter
David Montgomery has proven to be a reliable option in fantasy football. He has ranked among the top-24 running backs in 82% of his games since joining the Detroit Lions. This impressive consistency makes him a valuable asset for fantasy players looking to bolster their rosters. 🌟
Coaching Changes Impacting the Lions
The departure of Ben Johnson, who served as the Lions' offensive coordinator, signifies a potential shift in the running back dynamic. The Lions previously utilized a unique running back rotation that allowed both Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to remain fantasy-relevant. With John Morton stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, there's a possibility that Montgomery's role may be reassessed. 🏈
A Look at Montgomery's Performance
David Montgomery began his career with the Chicago Bears, where he quickly established himself as a feature back. In 2020, he even ranked fourth in fantasy points, showcasing his scoring potential. However, the emergence of Khalil Herbert challenged Montgomery's standing, as Herbert began to siphon off both carries and snaps. Despite this, Montgomery maintained his status as a borderline fantasy starter in his last two seasons in Chicago, which ultimately made the Bears more comfortable moving on from him during the offseason.
In 2022, the Lions opted to replace Jamaal Williams—who had a stellar season running for 1,066 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns—with Montgomery. Detroit also introduced Jahmyr Gibbs through the draft, subsequently trading D'Andre Swift. As a result, Montgomery now shares the backfield with Gibbs, a dynamic that is not commonly witnessed, where two running backs can both be weekly fantasy contributors. 🔄
Montgomery averaged a solid 15 carries per game, boasting a high first-down conversion rate. While he wasn’t known for breaking lengthy runs, he excelled in the scoring department, managing to find the end zone 13 times. Notably, he had a standout three-touchdown game, yet he showed remarkable consistency by scoring in 11 out of 14 games during the 2024 season.
Shifting Roles for 2025
Looking ahead, the Lions maintain the same running back depth chart, with Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki backing up Montgomery and Gibbs. Montgomery typically starts the game and tends to take more carries as the game progresses. Gibbs often plays a more significant role in the later quarters, creating a strategy that allows Montgomery to wear down opponents' defenses before Gibbs exploits any weaknesses.
Expect both players to see an increase in touches compared to last season. However, regression to more balanced distributions across other offensive skill positions could be on the horizon, potentially limiting Montgomery's volume. ⚖️
Teammate Impact
The Lions' coaching staff underwent significant changes, with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson taking the head coach position with the Bears. Scottie Montgomery, previously working with running backs, now shifts focus to wide receivers, making room for Tashard Choice as the new running back coach. Choice comes with a rich background, having played in the NFL for seven years.
Morton brings a mixed background with his use of running back committees, with some notable experience managing feature backs like Josh Jacobs. In his previous role with the New York Jets, he implemented a three-back committee approach. Morton's emphasis on explosive plays suits Gibbs but may signal a shift in how snaps and touches are apportioned, which could affect Montgomery's fantasy standing.
Under Morton's guidance, there has been a history of lighter backs taking on crucial snaps. This might suggest that Montgomery could face challenges in the red zone, potentially leading to a decline in his touchdown totals. 📉
The Importance of the Offensive Line
Montgomery benefits immensely from a formidable offensive line featuring players like Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker, who excel in both run and pass blocking. Although concerns persist regarding the guard positions, particularly with Graham Glasgow's performance waning, the overall line remains a significant contributor to Montgomery's success. Their effectiveness explains how Montgomery thrived even while participating in less than half of the offensive snaps. 🔧
Conclusion: Risks and Rewards
If the Lions' offensive setup had remained under Ben Johnson, Montgomery might have been a safer bet as a fantasy starter each week, albeit with limited upside. In light of John Morton's arrival, there is an element of risk as Montgomery has the potential to transition into more of a backup role behind Gibbs. How the coaching changes affect his snap count and overall performance is something to watch closely as the season progresses.
Footnotes 📋
- Statistics in various tables are aligned to provide insights that may predict fantasy performance.
- The term "opportunities" refers to rushing attempts, passing dropbacks, and routes as a receiver.
- Player data only includes statistics from the NFL for non-rookies, while college data applies solely to rookies.
- For thorough analysis, players’ opportunities are typically compared against others with substantial sample sizes.
- Enlightened understanding of usage classifications can enhance decision-making, particularly for running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
By setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season, the dynamics of Montgomery's role with the Lions will greatly influence fantasy strategies. Keep an eye on the evolving landscape, as every change can lead to new opportunities or challenges! 🌟