David Montgomery: Start or Sit?
RB1 and lead back. Powerful downhill runner with contact balance and reliable short-yardage/goal-line role.
This week’s verdict
RB22 at 12.7 projected with Pacheco on IR clearing the backfield behind him — a competitive 22-point implied total keeps Montgomery's goal-line work live.
- BUF ranks 20 of 32 against RBs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
- Vegas implies 22.0 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
- Listed RB on the latest depth chart with a 37% snap share in 2025.
The call
- Isiah Pacheco landing on injured reserve (ESPN, 2026-09-01) removes the depth piece behind him, locking Montgomery into the early-down and short-yardage half of Detroit's backfield.
- RB22 on a 12.7-point PPR projection is startable RB2/flex production in a 12-team league, and Mike Clay flagging the early schedule (ESPN, 2026-09-02) supports the near-term outlook.
- Buffalo grades 20 of 32 on the DvP composite — middling-to-soft — and a 1.5-point spread with a 22.0 implied total means Detroit shouldn't be forced away from the run.
- The risk is usage: a 37% snap share and 5% target share cap the ceiling, so he's dependent on touchdowns rather than receiving volume.
Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Latest on Montgomery
The Detroit Lions have placed running back Isiah Pacheco, 27, on the injured reserve list, the team announced Tuesday. The veteran is dealing with an MCL sprain in addition to a recent back injury that he suffered during training camp.
ESPN · Sep 1, 2026
Why Mike Clay loves David Montgomery's early fantasy schedule
ESPN · Sep 2, 2026
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Verdict history
| Week | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Week 1 | Start· medium | RB22 at 12.7 projected with Pacheco on IR clearing the backfield behind him — a competitive 22-point implied total keeps Montgomery's goal-line work live. |
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