Mandatory Montgomery, you jackals!
Jahmyr Gibbs’s tag-team partner will no longer steal valuable red-zone work in the Motor City. The Sonic-Knuckles era is over. On Monday, the now former Lion was sent packing to Houston in exchange for OL Juice Scruggs and draft picks.
Welcome to the No. 1 overall pick conversation, Gibbs. As for his former teammate, somebody rockin' knockin' the boots in H-Town … soon.
For a power-back hungry Houston franchise, Montgomery’s arrival signifies an ideal marriage. Incumbent Woody Marks would have difficulty penetrating a styrofoam wall. Last year on 229 carries, he averaged a paltry 2.48 yards after contact per attempt, an output No. 52 in the category among qualifying backs. His 13.1 missed tackle percentage also didn’t exactly dazzle.
A full-blown RBBC is imminent in Houston. Marks will likely still command at least 10-12 touches per game with Montgomery supplanting him roughly 9-11 times per contest — especially at the goal line.
And Mandatory’s inside-the-20 efficiency is precisely why he’s the more fantasy attractive option. Last season in Detroit, he earned 26 red-zone touches in 17 games (RB26), converting eight for touchdowns. He also tallied the 19th-best YAC per attempt (3.17) in the league. Additionally -- as a better than advertised short-field receiver -- he may total 25-35 receptions this fall.
Montgomery is a significant upgrade over injury-washed Nick Chubb and stuck-in-purgatory Joe Mixon. Though Monty has been around the block, he should again be a borderline top-20 RB in half-point PPR fantasy formats. Roughly 1100 total yards and 7-9 TDs are doable.
Yes, the Texans offensive line is still a below average run-blocking unit (No. 19 on PFF in '25), but with the right offseason investments and given DeMeco Ryan’s stalwart defense, the ground game could step forward. Having a field-stretcher like Nico Collins on the roster certainly helps.
Will this Montgomery enthusiast go the extra mile to acquire him in drafts this summer? You’re damn right.
It’s MANDATORY!