The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans agreed to terms on a trade Monday that sends running back David Montgomery to Houston in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a seventh-round pick in 2027, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
The move has immediate and significant implications—both on the field and for fantasy football managers.
Fantasy Fallout: Jahmyr Gibbs Soars
For fantasy purposes, the biggest winner is Jahmyr Gibbs. No longer sharing a backfield with Montgomery, Gibbs is now positioned for a true workhorse role in Detroit. Following the trade, analysts have moved Gibbs to No. 1 overall in fantasy rankings, surpassing Bijan Robinson.
Over the past two seasons, Montgomery missed six games due to injury. In those contests, Gibbs exploded:
In five of those games, Gibbs scored at least 25.4 PPR points.
When Montgomery missed three games in 2024 with a knee injury, Gibbs averaged a jaw-dropping 32.6 PPR points.
With Montgomery gone, Gibbs’s ceiling is now higher than ever—though his final ranking could shift slightly depending on who Detroit adds behind him in free agency or the draft.
Montgomery’s New Start in Houston
For Montgomery, the trade offers a fresh opportunity. The 28-year-old (turning 29 in June) had a down 2025 season, posting career lows in carries (158), rushing yards (716), and Fantasy points per game (9.9 PPR). But he still averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns.
In Houston, he’ll join a backfield that currently includes Woody Marks. While Montgomery will likely lead the committee, he’ll face challenges: a weak offensive line and a Texans team that has struggled to generate rushing touchdowns. Under DeMeco Ryans, Houston running backs have scored just 27 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons, including only six in 2025.
However, Montgomery brings proven versatility. He has four seasons with at least 34 receptions, including a 54-catch campaign in 2020 with the Bears. If the Texans involve him in the passing game, his PPR value could rise.
What This Means for Woody Marks
Woody Marks is the biggest loser in the deal. After emerging as Houston’s lead back in 2025—especially following injuries to Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon—Marks will now share touches with Montgomery. However, he remains a valuable late-round flier. If Montgomery misses time, Marks could step into a borderline No. 2 RB or flex role.
Chubb (30) is a free agent and unlikely to return. Mixon (turning 30 in July) is expected to be released after missing the 2025 season with a foot injury.
The Bigger Picture
For the Lions, the trade clears the way for Gibbs to become the focal point of the offense. For the Texans, they add a proven, physical runner to a backfield in need of stability. And for fantasy managers, the landscape has shifted dramatically—Gibbs is now the prize, while Montgomery becomes a high-upside RB2 with Round 6 draft capital.
