June 24, 2025

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery is heading into his third season with the team. The 28-year-old was productive throughout his tenure with the Chicago Bears. On the other hand, it's safe to say he's been at his best in Detroit. Montgomery ran for over 1,000 yards and found the end zone 13 times in 2023. Although he wasn't as potent in 2024, he still finished with 775 yards on 185 carries while amassing 12 touchdowns over 14 games. There is reason to believe his statistical contributions could regress even more during the 2025 campaign. Montgomery is older, which is never good for those playing the position. He also has to share a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, a player with an excellent chance of staying in the Pro Bowl conversation. Amon-Ra St. Brown is also still around, and Jameson Williams should command extra attention after surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark. With that in mind, Montgomery currently holds the No. 17 spot in standard formats and the No. 19 spot in PPR leagues in RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings for 2025. Without question, Montgomery is an obvious insurance policy for those who select Gibbs in fantasy football drafts. Still, the Lions are anticipated to remain among the highest-scoring teams in the National Football League. Montgomery should retain his stand-alone value, especially since he is expected to get opportunities inside the red zone. Unfortunately, he's dealt with injuries over the years, most recently missing time last season because of an MCL injury. As such, that may continue to be an issue for fantasy managers.--Dennis Clausen
Source: ESPN