Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs David Montgomery

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

Christian McCaffrey is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 21.5 PPG and 2,126 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. David Montgomery (9.1 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and David Montgomery as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

Bye

Week 14

RBDetroit Lions#33

David Montgomery

PPG

9.1

Games

Rush Yds

716

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

David Montgomery

Head to Head

21.5 PPG9.1 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). David Montgomery: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Christian McCaffrey is producing at 98% of elite pace and David Montgomery at 41%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs David Montgomery: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Christian McCaffrey put up 21.5 fantasy points per game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, while David Montgomery managed 9.1 across 17 games with the Detroit Lions. A 12.4-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Christian McCaffrey carries a 12.4-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while David Montgomery profiles as a more traditional rusher with 716 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Christian McCaffrey sits Week 14 while David Montgomery is off Week 8. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. David Montgomery is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. David Montgomery (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored David Montgomery by a projected 211 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatMcCaffreyMontgomery

PPG (Half-PPR)21.59.1

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)366155

Rushing Yards1,202716

Rush Yds/Game70.742.1

Rushing TDs108

Receptions10224

Receiving Yards924192

Targets12929

Total TDs179

Age2928

Experience8 yrs6 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. David Montgomery averaged 9.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Christian McCaffrey or David Montgomery in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to David Montgomery's 9.1 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. David Montgomery averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 12.4 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 14, and David Montgomery (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or David Montgomery a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored David Montgomery by 12.4 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.