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Which Running Back Is Best: Austin Ekeler Or David Montgomery?

Trends January 08, 2025

Who is a better NFL player: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Ekeler is a versatile back who can line up in the slot or out wide, and he is also a dangerous returner. Montgomery is a more traditional power back, but he has also shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

So, who is the better player? It's tough to say, but Ekeler may have the edge. He is more versatile and explosive, and he has a better quarterback throwing to him in Justin Herbert. However, Montgomery is a more physical runner, and he has a better offensive line in front of him. Ultimately, it will be up to each individual fan to decide who they think is the better player.

Here is a table comparing the two players' stats from the 2022 season:

	Austin Ekeler	David Montgomery
Rushing yards	911	801
Rushing touchdowns	12	7
Receptions	76	44
Receiving yards	634	328
Total touchdowns	18	9

As you can see, Ekeler had a more productive season in 2022, but Montgomery was still a solid contributor. Both players are expected to be key parts of their respective offenses in 2023, and it will be interesting to see how they perform.

Austin Ekeler vs. David Montgomery

Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery are two of the most promising young running backs in the NFL. Both players have had breakout seasons in recent years, and they are both expected to be key contributors to their respective teams in 2023. To better understand their strengths and weaknesses, let's explore six key aspects of their game:

Versatility: Ekeler is a more versatile player than Montgomery. He can line up in the slot or out wide, and he is also a dangerous returner. Montgomery is a more traditional power back, but he has also shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Athleticism: Both players are very athletic, but Ekeler may have a slight edge. He is quicker and more agile than Montgomery, and he has better hands. Montgomery is a more powerful runner, but Ekeler is more elusive.
Production: Ekeler has been more productive than Montgomery in recent years. He has rushed for more yards and touchdowns, and he has also caught more passes. Montgomery has been a solid contributor, but he has not been as productive as Ekeler.
Team success: Ekeler plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are a playoff contender. Montgomery plays for the Chicago Bears, who are in a rebuilding mode. This could give Ekeler an edge in terms of team success.
Age: Ekeler is 27 years old, while Montgomery is 25 years old. Ekeler is in his prime, while Montgomery is still developing. This could give Ekeler an edge in terms of experience and leadership.
Injury history: Ekeler has had some injury problems in the past, while Montgomery has been relatively healthy. This could be a concern for Ekeler, as injuries can derail a player's career.

Overall, Ekeler and Montgomery are both very good running backs with different strengths and weaknesses. Ekeler is more versatile and productive, while Montgomery is more powerful and durable. It will be interesting to see how these two players perform in 2023 and beyond.

1. Versatility

Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery are two of the most versatile running backs in the NFL. Ekeler is more versatile than Montgomery, as he can line up in the slot or out wide, and he is also a dangerous returner. Montgomery is a more traditional power back, but he has also shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

Receiving ability: Ekeler is a better receiver than Montgomery. He has 244 receptions in his career, compared to 114 for Montgomery. Ekeler also has 21 receiving touchdowns, compared to 10 for Montgomery.
Route running: Ekeler is a more polished route runner than Montgomery. He is able to create separation from defenders and get open in the passing game. Montgomery is still developing as a route runner, but he has shown improvement in this area.
Return ability: Ekeler is a dangerous returner. He has 1,094 career return yards and four return touchdowns. Montgomery has never returned a punt or kickoff in the NFL.

Ekeler's versatility makes him a more valuable player than Montgomery. He can be used in a variety of ways on offense, and he can make plays in all three phases of the game. Montgomery is a solid running back, but he is not as versatile as Ekeler.

2. Athleticism

Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery are two of the most athletic running backs in the NFL. They both possess a rare combination of speed, agility, power, and elusiveness.

Speed and Agility: Ekeler is quicker and more agile than Montgomery. He has a better burst off the line of scrimmage and can change direction more easily. This makes him a dangerous threat in the open field.
Hands: Ekeler has better hands than Montgomery. He is able to make difficult catches out of the backfield and is a reliable target for his quarterback.
Power: Montgomery is a more powerful runner than Ekeler. He has a thick build and is able to break tackles and gain yards after contact.
Elusiveness: Ekeler is more elusive than Montgomery. He has a great ability to make defenders miss in the open field. This makes him a difficult player to tackle.

Overall, Ekeler and Montgomery are both very athletic running backs with different strengths and weaknesses. Ekeler is more versatile and explosive, while Montgomery is more powerful and durable. It will be interesting to see how these two players perform in 2023 and beyond.

3. Production

The production of a running back is one of the most important factors in evaluating their overall performance. Ekeler has been more productive than Montgomery in recent years, and this has been a major factor in his emergence as one of the best running backs in the NFL.

There are several reasons why Ekeler has been more productive than Montgomery. First, Ekeler is a more versatile player. He can line up in the slot or out wide, and he is also a dangerous returner. This versatility makes him a more valuable asset to his team, and it allows him to make plays in a variety of ways.

Second, Ekeler has been healthier than Montgomery. Montgomery has missed several games due to injury, while Ekeler has been able to stay on the field. This has given Ekeler a chance to accumulate more stats and make a bigger impact on his team.

Finally, Ekeler has played with a better quarterback than Montgomery. Justin Herbert is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has helped Ekeler to reach his full potential. Montgomery, on the other hand, has played with a variety of quarterbacks, and he has not had the same level of consistency.

The production of a running back is a key factor in evaluating their overall performance. Ekeler has been more productive than Montgomery in recent years, and this has been a major factor in his emergence as one of the best running backs in the NFL.

4. Team success

Team success is an important factor to consider when evaluating a player's overall performance. Ekeler plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are a playoff contender. Montgomery plays for the Chicago Bears, who are in a rebuilding mode. This could give Ekeler an edge in terms of team success.

There are several reasons why team success is important for a player's individual performance. First, a player's individual stats are often tied to the success of his team. For example, a running back is more likely to have high rushing totals if his team is winning games. This is because winning teams are more likely to have the ball in their opponents' territory, which gives their running backs more opportunities to carry the ball.

Second, team success can help a player's morale and confidence. A player who is on a winning team is more likely to be motivated and confident in his abilities. This can lead to better individual performance.

Finally, team success can help a player's value in the NFL. A player who is on a winning team is more likely to be noticed by other teams and could potentially earn a bigger contract.

Overall, team success is an important factor to consider when evaluating a player's overall performance. Ekeler plays for a playoff contender, while Montgomery plays for a team in a rebuilding mode. This could give Ekeler an edge in terms of team success.

5. Age

The age difference between Ekeler and Montgomery is a factor that could give Ekeler an edge in terms of experience and leadership. Ekeler is 27 years old and is in his prime, while Montgomery is 25 years old and is still developing.

Experience: Ekeler has more experience than Montgomery. He has played in more games and has had more opportunities to learn and develop. This experience could give Ekeler an edge in terms of making plays and leading his team.
Leadership: Ekeler is a more experienced leader than Montgomery. He has been a captain on his team and has shown the ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. This leadership could be valuable for the Chargers, especially in close games or during tough times.

Overall, the age difference between Ekeler and Montgomery is a factor that could give Ekeler an edge in terms of experience and leadership. Ekeler is in his prime and has more experience, which could help him to make plays and lead his team to success.

Injury history

When evaluating the long-term potential of a player, injury history is an important factor to consider. Injuries can derail a player's career, and even minor injuries can have a significant impact on a player's performance. Ekeler has had some injury problems in the past, while Montgomery has been relatively healthy. This could be a concern for Ekeler, as injuries can derail a player's career.

Ekeler has missed a total of 11 games due to injury in his career. In 2021, he missed six games with a hamstring injury. He also missed five games in 2020 with a quad injury. Montgomery, on the other hand, has only missed three games due to injury in his career. He missed two games in 2021 with a knee injury, and he missed one game in 2019 with a concussion.

While Ekeler has had more injuries than Montgomery, it is important to note that none of his injuries have been major. He has not missed any games due to a major injury, and he has not had any surgeries. Montgomery, on the other hand, has had one major injury. He tore his ACL in 2019, and he missed the final four games of the season.

Overall, Ekeler's injury history is not a major concern. He has not had any major injuries, and he has only missed a total of 11 games due to injury in his career. Montgomery, on the other hand, has had one major injury, and he has missed a total of three games due to injury in his career.

Frequently Asked Questions about Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery

This section addresses common questions and misconceptions surrounding Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery, providing informative answers based on facts and analysis.

Question 1:Who is more versatile: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Answer: Austin Ekeler is generally considered more versatile than David Montgomery. Ekeler can line up in the slot or out wide as a receiver, and he is also a dangerous returner. Montgomery, on the other hand, is more of a traditional power back. While he has shown some ability to catch passes out of the backfield, he is not as versatile as Ekeler.

Question 2:Who is more productive: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Answer: Austin Ekeler has been more productive than David Montgomery in recent years. He has rushed for more yards and touchdowns, and he has also caught more passes. Montgomery has been a solid contributor, but he has not been as productive as Ekeler.

Question 3:Who plays for a better team: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Answer: Austin Ekeler plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are a playoff contender. David Montgomery plays for the Chicago Bears, who are in a rebuilding mode. This could give Ekeler an edge in terms of team success.

Question 4:Who is more durable: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Answer: David Montgomery has been more durable than Austin Ekeler. Montgomery has only missed three games due to injury in his career, while Ekeler has missed 11 games. However, it is important to note that none of Ekeler's injuries have been major.

Question 5:Who is a better value: Austin Ekeler or David Montgomery?

Answer: This depends on what you are looking for in a running back. If you want a versatile player who can make plays in all three phases of the game, then Ekeler is a better value. If you want a more traditional power back who is durable and consistent, then Montgomery is a better value.

Summary: Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery are two of the most promising young running backs in the NFL. Ekeler is more versatile and productive, while Montgomery is more durable and consistent. Ultimately, the better choice for your fantasy team will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Transition to the next article section:

To learn more about Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery, check out their player profiles on the NFL website.

Conclusion

Austin Ekeler and David Montgomery are two of the most promising young running backs in the NFL. Both players have had breakout seasons in recent years, and they are both expected to be key contributors to their respective teams in 2023. While Ekeler is more versatile and productive, Montgomery is more durable and consistent. Ultimately, the better choice for your fantasy team will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

As both players continue to develop, it will be interesting to see how their careers unfold. Ekeler has the potential to be one of the best running backs in the NFL, while Montgomery has the potential to be a solid and reliable contributor for many years to come. Regardless of who you choose to start in your fantasy lineup, you can be sure that you are getting a talented and productive player.