Three touchdowns fueled a dominant debut for the veteran back, but low efficiency and a looming backfield committee suggest fantasy managers should sell high before reality sets in.
The Houston Texans got exactly what they wanted from David Montgomery in his debut. The veteran running back found the end zone three times against the Buffalo Bills, helping an offense that needed a physical presence in the backfield. It was an impressive start to his Texans career, but fantasy managers may want to pump the brakes before assuming this kind of production is coming every Sunday.
Montgomery finished Week 1 with 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus a receiving touchdown on the day. His ability to finish drives gave Houston a reliable option near the goal line, and his physical running style was a major part of the offense's success in a 36-31 loss.
The Texans traded for Montgomery during the offseason to help fix a running game that struggled in 2025. His debut showed why Houston wanted him. He ran hard, handled important situations and gave C.J. Stroud another way to move the ball. There is plenty to like about his performance.
Still, the overall numbers tell a more complicated story. ESPN's Dan Graziano believes fantasy managers should consider selling high on Montgomery after his big debut. He pointed to the running back's efficiency and the competition behind him as reasons to be cautious.
"I'm looking at Montgomery's 3.0 yards per carry against a Bills defense that was miserable against the run last season and the fact that Woody Marks was on the field for 40 snaps as compared with Montgomery's 39," Graziano wrote. "The Texans were very impressed with the way Marks performed during the offseason, and they plan a significant role for the ball carrier in the offense. Montgomery got the Week 1 glory, but this might be a chance to sell high and claim a Week 1 underperformer who has a chance to pop in the coming weeks."
That is an important point for anyone evaluating Montgomery's fantasy value. The touchdowns were excellent, but three scores can make an otherwise average rushing performance look much bigger in the box score. Montgomery averaged just 3.0 yards per carry against a lackluster run defense, and Houston already showed that Woody Marks is going to be part of the offensive plan.
That does not mean Montgomery is headed for a bad season. The Texans still have plenty of reasons to use him, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His physical style fits what DeMeco Ryans wants this offense to become, and the team clearly trusts him.
However, expecting three touchdowns every week is unrealistic. Montgomery's fantasy value will depend on how often he gets opportunities, how efficiently he runs and how the Texans divide work with Marks.
Week 1 was a great introduction to Montgomery in Houston. It also offered a reminder that one big performance does not automatically make a player a weekly fantasy star. The Texans should be happy with what they got from their new running back, but fantasy managers may want to consider whether his value is currently higher than his expected production.
