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Who's Greater: David Montgomery Or Ezekiel Elliott? An In-Depth Comparison

Trends January 11, 2025

Who is a better running back: David Montgomery or Ezekiel Elliott?

David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the best running backs in the NFL. Montgomery plays for the Chicago Bears, while Elliott plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Both players are known for their power, speed, and agility.

Montgomery was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He quickly became a starter and has been one of the most productive running backs in the league ever since. In 2020, he rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns.

Elliott was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has also been one of the most productive running backs in the league since entering the NFL. In 2020, he rushed for 979 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 58 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns.

So, who is a better running back: David Montgomery or Ezekiel Elliott? It's a tough question to answer, as both players are very talented. However, Montgomery has been slightly more productive in recent years, so I would give him a slight edge over Elliott.

Here is a table comparing the two players' stats:

| Player | Rushing yards | Rushing touchdowns | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving touchdowns ||---|---|---|---|---|---|| David Montgomery | 1,070 | 8 | 43 | 338 | 2 || Ezekiel Elliott | 979 | 6 | 58 | 420 | 2 |

Ultimately, the best way to decide who is a better running back is to watch them play and see for yourself. Both Montgomery and Elliott are exciting players to watch, so you're sure to enjoy watching them play no matter who you root for.

David Montgomery vs. Ezekiel Elliott

David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the most talented running backs in the NFL. They are both young, powerful, and have the potential to be elite players. However, there are some key differences between the two players.

Age: Montgomery is 24 years old, while Elliott is 27.
Team: Montgomery plays for the Chicago Bears, while Elliott plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
Draft position: Montgomery was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, while Elliott was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Career rushing yards: Montgomery has rushed for 2,611 yards in his career, while Elliott has rushed for 5,484 yards.
Career rushing touchdowns: Montgomery has scored 22 rushing touchdowns in his career, while Elliott has scored 47.
Career receiving yards: Montgomery has 745 receiving yards in his career, while Elliott has 1,650 receiving yards.
Career receiving touchdowns: Montgomery has 4 receiving touchdowns in his career, while Elliott has 12.
Pro Bowls: Montgomery has been to one Pro Bowl, while Elliott has been to three.

As you can see, Montgomery and Elliott are very similar players in terms of their age, size, and athleticism. However, Elliott has a slight edge in terms of experience and production. He has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery, and he has rushed for more yards and touchdowns. However, Montgomery is a rising star, and he could soon surpass Elliott as the top running back in the NFL.

1. Age

Age is an important factor to consider when comparing David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott. Montgomery is 24 years old, while Elliott is 27. This means that Montgomery is three years younger than Elliott. This age difference could give Montgomery a slight edge over Elliott in the long run, as he will have more time to develop and reach his full potential. However, Elliott is still a very young player, and he has already accomplished a lot in his career. He has been to three Pro Bowls and has led the NFL in rushing yards once. Therefore, it is too early to say for sure which player will have the better career.

One potential advantage that Montgomery has over Elliott is that he has less wear and tear on his body. Elliott has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery, and he has carried the ball more times. This could lead to injuries down the road. Montgomery, on the other hand, is relatively fresh. He has only carried the ball 450 times in his career, compared to Elliott's 1,182 carries.

Ultimately, it is difficult to say for sure which player will have the better career. Montgomery has some advantages over Elliott, such as his age and his fresh body. However, Elliott is a very talented player who has already accomplished a lot in his career. Only time will tell which player will be the better running back in the long run.

2. Team

The team that a player plays for can have a significant impact on their success. This is because the team's offensive and defensive schemes can play to the player's strengths and weaknesses. For example, David Montgomery is a power back who is best suited for running between the tackles. The Chicago Bears have a strong offensive line that can create holes for Montgomery to run through. This allows Montgomery to be very effective for the Bears.

Ezekiel Elliott, on the other hand, is a more versatile back who can run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. The Dallas Cowboys have a more pass-happy offense than the Bears. This allows Elliott to showcase his versatility and be a more complete back for the Cowboys.

Ultimately, the team that a player plays for can have a significant impact on their success. Montgomery and Elliott are both talented running backs, but they have different skill sets. The Bears and Cowboys have different offensive schemes. This means that Montgomery and Elliott are able to be successful in different ways for their respective teams.

Here are some specific examples of how the team that a player plays for can impact their success:

If a running back plays for a team with a strong offensive line, they will be able to run more effectively.
If a running back plays for a team with a pass-happy offense, they will be able to catch more passes out of the backfield.
If a running back plays for a team with a good defense, they will be able to score more touchdowns because the defense will keep the opposing team from scoring.

Therefore, it is important to consider the team that a player plays for when evaluating their success.

3. Draft position

The draft position of a player can have a significant impact on their career. Players who are drafted in the first round are typically considered to be the best players in their draft class. They are often given more opportunities to play early in their careers, and they are more likely to be successful. However, there are also many players who are drafted in the later rounds who go on to have successful careers. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two examples of players who were drafted in the later rounds who have gone on to become successful running backs.

Expectations: Players who are drafted in the first round are typically expected to be immediate contributors. They are often given more playing time and are expected to produce right away. Players who are drafted in the later rounds, on the other hand, are often given more time to develop. They may not be expected to be immediate contributors, but they can still go on to have successful careers.
Opportunity: Players who are drafted in the first round are often given more opportunities to play early in their careers. This can give them a chance to develop and learn the game at a faster pace. Players who are drafted in the later rounds may not be given as many opportunities to play early in their careers, but they can still make the most of their opportunities and go on to have successful careers.
Competition: Players who are drafted in the first round are often competing with other highly talented players for playing time. This can make it difficult for them to earn a starting role. Players who are drafted in the later rounds may not be competing with as many highly talented players for playing time. This can make it easier for them to earn a starting role and get more playing time.

Ultimately, the draft position of a player is not a guarantee of success. There are many players who are drafted in the first round who go on to have successful careers, and there are also many players who are drafted in the later rounds who go on to have successful careers. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two examples of players who were drafted in the later rounds who have gone on to become successful running backs. They are both talented players who have made the most of their opportunities.

4. Career rushing yards

Career rushing yards are a key statistic for running backs, as they measure how productive a player has been on the ground. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the most productive running backs in the NFL, and their career rushing yards totals reflect that. Montgomery has rushed for 2,611 yards in his career, while Elliott has rushed for 5,484 yards.

Volume: Career rushing yards are a measure of volume, as they simply count the number of yards a player has gained on the ground. This means that players who have played in more games and have had more carries will typically have more career rushing yards than players who have played in fewer games and have had fewer carries. Montgomery and Elliott are both young players, but Elliott has played in more games and has had more carries than Montgomery. This is one of the reasons why Elliott has more career rushing yards than Montgomery.
Efficiency: Career rushing yards can also be a measure of efficiency, as they can be used to calculate a player's yards per carry average. This statistic measures how many yards a player gains per carry, and it can be used to compare the efficiency of different running backs. Montgomery has a career yards per carry average of 4.7, while Elliott has a career yards per carry average of 4.5. This means that Montgomery is slightly more efficient than Elliott as a runner.
Longevity: Career rushing yards can also be a measure of longevity, as they can be used to track a player's production over time. Montgomery and Elliott are both young players, but they have both shown that they can be productive running backs. If they can continue to produce at a high level for several more years, they could both end up with very impressive career rushing yard totals.

Overall, career rushing yards are a key statistic for running backs, as they measure a player's production, efficiency, and longevity. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the most productive running backs in the NFL, and their career rushing yards totals reflect that. Both players are still young, so they have the potential to add to their career rushing yard totals and become even more productive running backs in the years to come.

5. Career rushing touchdowns

Career rushing touchdowns are another key statistic for running backs, as they measure how often a player has been able to reach the end zone. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are both productive running backs, but Elliott has been more effective at scoring touchdowns than Montgomery. Elliott has scored 47 rushing touchdowns in his career, while Montgomery has scored 22 rushing touchdowns.

Volume: Career rushing touchdowns are a measure of volume, as they simply count the number of touchdowns a player has scored. This means that players who have played in more games and have had more carries will typically have more career rushing touchdowns than players who have played in fewer games and have had fewer carries. Elliott has played in more games and has had more carries than Montgomery, which is one of the reasons why he has more career rushing touchdowns.
Efficiency: Career rushing touchdowns can also be a measure of efficiency, as they can be used to calculate a player's touchdowns per carry average. This statistic measures how many touchdowns a player scores per carry, and it can be used to compare the efficiency of different running backs. Elliott has a career touchdowns per carry average of 0.07, while Montgomery has a career touchdowns per carry average of 0.05. This means that Elliott is slightly more efficient than Montgomery at scoring touchdowns.
Longevity: Career rushing touchdowns can also be a measure of longevity, as they can be used to track a player's production over time. Elliott has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery, so he has had more opportunities to score touchdowns. However, Montgomery is still a young player, and he has the potential to add to his career rushing touchdown total and become a more productive running back in the years to come.

Overall, career rushing touchdowns are a key statistic for running backs, as they measure a player's production, efficiency, and longevity. Ezekiel Elliott has been more effective at scoring touchdowns than David Montgomery, but Montgomery is still a young player with the potential to improve. Both players are talented running backs, and they could both have successful careers in the NFL.

6. Career receiving yards

Career receiving yards are a key statistic for running backs, as they measure how productive a player has been as a receiver out of the backfield. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are both productive running backs, but Elliott has been more effective as a receiver than Montgomery. Elliott has 1,650 receiving yards in his career, while Montgomery has 745 receiving yards.

There are a few reasons why Elliott has more career receiving yards than Montgomery. First, Elliott has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery, so he has had more opportunities to catch passes out of the backfield. Second, the Dallas Cowboys have a more pass-happy offense than the Chicago Bears. This means that Elliott has more opportunities to catch passes in the Cowboys' offense than Montgomery does in the Bears' offense.

The ability to catch passes out of the backfield is a valuable skill for a running back. It allows a running back to be more versatile and contribute to the offense in a variety of ways. Running backs who can catch passes out of the backfield can be used as checkdown options for the quarterback, and they can also be used to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties in the passing game.

Both David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are talented running backs, but Elliott is a more complete back than Montgomery. Elliott is a better receiver out of the backfield, and he is also a more experienced player. This gives Elliott an edge over Montgomery in terms of overall value to his team.

7. Career receiving touchdowns

The number of receiving touchdowns a running back has can be a key indicator of their versatility and ability to contribute to the offense in a variety of ways. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are both productive running backs, but Elliott has been more effective as a receiver out of the backfield than Montgomery. This is reflected in their career receiving touchdown totals: Elliott has 12 receiving touchdowns, while Montgomery has 4.

Volume: One reason for Elliott's higher total of receiving touchdowns is that he has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery. This has given him more opportunities to catch passes out of the backfield and score touchdowns.
Efficiency: Elliott has also been more efficient than Montgomery as a receiver. He has a career receiving touchdowns per target average of 0.14, while Montgomery has a career receiving touchdowns per target average of 0.09. This means that Elliott is more likely to score a touchdown when he is targeted in the passing game.
Usage: The Dallas Cowboys also use Elliott more as a receiver than the Chicago Bears use Montgomery. Elliott has been targeted 86 times in his career, while Montgomery has been targeted 44 times. This means that Elliott has more opportunities to catch passes and score touchdowns.

Overall, the difference in career receiving touchdowns between David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott is due to a combination of factors, including volume, efficiency, and usage. Elliott has been in the NFL for longer, he is more efficient as a receiver, and he is used more as a receiver in the Cowboys' offense. As a result, Elliott has scored more receiving touchdowns than Montgomery.

8. Pro Bowls

Being selected to the Pro Bowl is a prestigious honor for any NFL player. It is a recognition of the player's outstanding performance and their status as one of the best players in the league at their position. David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are both talented running backs, but Elliott has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, while Montgomery has only been selected once.

Experience: One reason for Elliott's greater number of Pro Bowl selections is that he has more experience in the NFL. Elliott has been in the NFL for two more years than Montgomery, and he has had more opportunities to prove himself as one of the best running backs in the league.
Consistency: Elliott has also been more consistent in his performance than Montgomery. Elliott has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first five seasons in the NFL, while Montgomery has only rushed for over 1,000 yards once in his career. Elliott's consistency has made him a more reliable option for his team, and it has helped him to earn more Pro Bowl selections.
Team success: The Dallas Cowboys have also been more successful than the Chicago Bears in recent years. The Cowboys have won the NFC East three times in the past five years, while the Bears have not won the NFC North since 2010. Team success can play a role in Pro Bowl selections, as players on successful teams are more likely to be recognized for their contributions.

Overall, there are a number of reasons why Ezekiel Elliott has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, while David Montgomery has only been selected once. Elliott has more experience, he has been more consistent in his performance, and he has played on a more successful team. These factors have all contributed to Elliott's greater number of Pro Bowl selections.

FAQs on David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott, two of the most talented running backs in the NFL.

Question 1:Who is a better running back, David Montgomery or Ezekiel Elliott?

Both Montgomery and Elliott are excellent running backs with different strengths and weaknesses. Montgomery is a powerful runner who excels at breaking tackles and gaining tough yards. Elliott is a more versatile back who can also catch passes out of the backfield and contribute as a receiver. Ultimately, the better running back for a particular team depends on the team's offensive scheme and needs.

Question 2:Who has had a more productive career, Montgomery or Elliott?

Elliott has been more productive in his career than Montgomery, as he has rushed for more yards, touchdowns, and has been selected to more Pro Bowls. However, Montgomery is a younger player and is still developing, so he has the potential to surpass Elliott in terms of career production.

Question 3:Who is a better receiver out of the backfield, Montgomery or Elliott?

Elliott is a better receiver out of the backfield than Montgomery. Elliott has more career receiving yards and touchdowns, and he is a more reliable target in the passing game. Elliott's ability to catch passes out of the backfield makes him a more versatile player and a greater threat to opposing defenses.

Question 4:Who has been more durable, Montgomery or Elliott?

Montgomery has been more durable than Elliott in his career. Montgomery has only missed one game in his career, while Elliott has missed several games due to injuries. Montgomery's durability is a valuable asset for his team, as he is a reliable player who can be counted on to be on the field.

Question 5:Who is a better leader, Montgomery or Elliott?

Both Montgomery and Elliott are leaders on their respective teams. Montgomery is a quiet leader who leads by example with his hard work and dedication. Elliott is a more vocal leader who is not afraid to speak his mind and motivate his teammates. Both players are respected by their teammates and coaches, and they are both valuable assets to their teams.

Overall, David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the best running backs in the NFL. They are both talented players who can make a significant impact on their teams. Montgomery is a powerful runner who is still developing, while Elliott is a more versatile back who is already one of the most productive players in the league. Both players have the potential to be elite running backs in the NFL.

Transition to the next article section:For more information on David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott, please visit their respective player profiles on the NFL website.

Conclusion

David Montgomery and Ezekiel Elliott are two of the most talented running backs in the NFL. They are both young, powerful, and have the potential to be elite players. Ultimately, the better running back for a particular team depends on the team's offensive scheme and needs. However, both Montgomery and Elliott are valuable assets to their respective teams, and they both have the potential to be stars in the NFL.

Only time will tell who will have the better career, but both players are off to a great start. They are both already among the best running backs in the league, and they both have the potential to be even better in the years to come.

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