RADIO
Should I Draft Javonte Williams or David Montgomery? Mike Fanelli analyzes NFL players with similar values, and tells you who to pick once you're on the clock in your fantasy football draft.
The 2023 regular season season is almost here. That means fantasy players have only a few weeks to complete all of their fantasy football drafts.
One of the toughest decisions fantasy players have to make every year is deciding between two similar options. Since fantasy players can’t possibly draft both guys, they must make the hard decision on which player to pick.
Today we look at whether fantasy players should draft Javonte Williams or David Montgomery.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
- 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
Should I Draft Javonte Williams?
According to the RotoBaller ADP, Williams is a sixth-round pick in 12-team leagues and the 24th running back off the board. Last year the former UNC star was the RB84, averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Unfortunately, Williams suffered a torn ACL in Week 4, ending his season. The second-year running back had 47 rushing attempts for 204 yards and zero touchdowns last year. He also caught 16 of his 22 targets for 76 receiving yards.
More importantly, fantasy players have been concerned about Williams’ health. Many believed the former UNC star would start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Instead, Williams played in the team’s Week 2 preseason matchup.
Should I Draft David Montgomery?
According to the RotoBaller ADP, Montgomery is a seventh-round pick in 12-team leagues and the 28th running back off the board. Last year the veteran was the RB23, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game while splitting the backfield work with Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert.
After four years with the Chicago Bears, Montgomery joined the Detroit Lions in the offseason. He will replace Jamaal Williams as the team’s primary running back. Last year Williams had over 1,000 rushing yards and led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns.
Meanwhile, many believe the Lions have an excellent 1-2 punch at running back with Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Head coach Dan Campbell was in New Orleans when the Saints had an outstanding running back combination of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Therefore no one should be surprised if the Lions similarly use their running backs.
Who Should I Draft?
Both running backs will be part of a committee this season. The Lions spent a first-round pick on Gibbs. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos signed Samaje Perine in free agency. However, only one of the running backs is coming off a torn ACL.
Fantasy players should be excited about Williams this year but also cautious. Historically players coming off a torn ACL aren’t 100% their old self until two years after getting hurt.
Meanwhile, Montgomery joins a Lions team that got 509 touches and 459.8 fantasy points from their backfield last season.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis
