Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Brian Thomas Jr.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.6 | 54.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 13.8 | 0.1 |
David Montgomery News
Tuesday, July 21, 6:25 AM
For the first time since his final season with the Bears in 2022, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery enters the year as the unquestioned leader of his team's backfield. With the Texans thrown an offseason curveball last year by the mysterious foot injury of presumed starter Joe Mixon, they were forced to piece the position together with a combination of veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, neither of whom proved particularly effective for an offense built to play with a lead. Despite sharing the Detroit backfield with perennial Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs for the past three seasons, Montgomery has remained fantasy-relevant through his continued usage near the goal line, and as a player with a proven history of handling heavy workloads, he allows Marks to slip back into a more natural pass-catching role. With a defense that can help to create positive game scripts in a hurry, Montgomery should serve as the closer that this Texans offense was sorely lacking in 2025, and as RotoBaller's RB21, he represents reliable value often available in the middle rounds of drafts.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.4 | 51.1 | 0.3 |
Brian Thomas Jr. News
Tuesday, August 4, 6:24 AM
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was one of fantasy's biggest disappointments in 2025, but reports coming out of training camp would suggest he's primed for a bounce-back in Year 3. Head coach Liam Coen touched upon the connection he's seen between Thomas and quarterback Trevor Lawrence since the spring, telling reporters, "I've just sensed a different dude in terms of confidence, the way he carries himself, his communication... I am confident in him right now, and I know Trevor is, too." Coen also referred to his route-running as "unreal" and anticipates a major downfield role for him in 2026. It is worth noting that much of Thomas' rookie season success came when the team was drawing up plays for him closer to the line of scrimmage, so caution is still warranted with a deep receiver room capable of making him more of a boom or bust play than a sure thing, but with his current ADP pushed all the way down to WR34, he represents a high-upside swing in the middle rounds of drafts.
David Montgomery vs. Brian Thomas Jr.
Still trying to decide between Montgomery and Thomas Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that David Montgomery is projected to score 11.6 points this week while Brian Thomas Jr. is projected to score 10.3 points.
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