Jerome Ford or David Montgomery: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 2?

Starting the right players in fantasy football can be the difference between winning and losing each week. Some managers may be debating between Jerome Ford and David Montgomery for their Week 2 lineups. Deciding which one to start is based on many different factors, including their past performances and weekly matchup. Here's how it breaks down.

Is Jerome Ford a good fantasy pick in Week 2?

Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford replaced Nick Chubb as the starting running back for the Cleveland Browns last year when he went down with a season-ending injury. He responded by finishing as the overall RB17 in fantasy football. He kept things rolling in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season by finishing as the weekly RB13.

Up next for the Browns running back is a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who struggled against the Miami Dolphins' running backs last week. This puts him in a relatively favorable situation this week, especially considering his promising volume in his first game, including 18 touches against the Dallas Cowboys.

Is David Montgomery a good fantasy pick in Week 2?

David Montgomery

David Montgomery shares the Detroit Lions' backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, but he has still turned in solid production. This includes an overall RB13 finish last year and a RB14 weekly finish in Week 1 of the 2024 fantasy football season against the Los Angeles Rams. He did so by recording 18 touches for 93 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

Many around the league believed Gibbs would take over as the featured back this season, but he again split the carries with Montgomery in Week 1. As long as the veteran continues to receive a similar workload, he makes for a solid option in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jerome Ford vs David Montgomery: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 2?

While both running backs make for solid options to use in Week 2 fantasy football lineups, Jerome Ford is the preferred option over David Montgomery. Ford's locked in status as the Browns' RB1 is one of the biggest reasons because his workload appears to be much safer at this point in the 2024 season.

Matchups also play a role in Ford being the recommended pick this week as he is in a more favorable situation than Montgomery. The Jaguars struggled to slow down the run in Week 1, while the Buccaneers shut down the Washington Commanders' rushing attack.