The 2026 fantasy football season is already shaping up to be a battle of emerging backs, and two names dominate the conversation: David Montgomery of the Houston Texans and Bhayshul Tuten of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Montgomery entered the league as a backup in Detroit before landing in Houston, where he is now slated to carry the primary workload as the team’s RB1. In 2025 he posted 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, finishing the year as RB24 in PPR formats, a solid foundation for a breakout campaign.
His competition for touches includes rookie Woody Marks, who burst onto the scene with 703 rushing yards, 208 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, suggesting a crowded backfield that could eat into Montgomery’s volume.
Tuten, by contrast, is set to inherit the Jaguars’ lead role for the first time in 2026. He proved his capability in 2025 with 307 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while serving as an RB2, and his ADP of RB22 reflects a higher perceived value than Montgomery’s RB24 ranking.
The key differentiator lies in workload and supporting cast. With Chris Rodriguez Jr. serving as a reliable backup who delivered a career‑best 500 rushing yards and six scores, Tuten’s path to carries appears clearer, giving him a more favorable draft outlook.
Draft Strategy
Analysts point to Tuten’s higher upside due to the combination of a lighter depth chart and a more potent offensive environment, making him the preferred choice for managers seeking a high‑ceiling RB in the middle rounds.
Montgomery remains a viable starter, especially if Marks fails to secure a substantial role, but the consensus leans toward Tuten as the safer bet given his current ADP and projected snap count.