RADIO
DeMeco Ryans Views David Montgomery As No. 1 Back
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans considers running back David Montgomery the team's lead back this season. Ryans said on the SiriusXM NFL show last week, "I see David as a number one back. He's a really good runner; he's always been a runner whenever he touches the ball. Strong, runs low, runs behind his pads." Montgomery spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions, splitting carries with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite a timeshare, he averaged 75 scrimmage yards per game and scored 33 touchdowns in 45 games. Now he heads to Houston, where he expects to lead a committee with second-year back Woody Marks. Ranked RB21 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, the veteran back has a chance to be a solid RB2 in fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Houston Stressans
Source: Houston Stressans
Rookie Running Back Noah Whittington Has a Busy Start to the Preseason
Houston Texans running back Noah Whittington finished his team's preseason loss to the Chargers with 13 carries for 40 yards and also caught his only target for a loss of four yards. The undrafted rookie from Oregon fits the profile of a potential rotational back due to his compact frame and powerful running style. His heavy workload could lead to him earning a spot on the team, and since Houston likes to rotate running backs, he could end up with fantasy value at some point this season. Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan are back to carry the load alongside newcomer David Montgomery, though, so Whittington will need to show more explosiveness before he threatens for enough work to be fantasy relevant. It is worth noting, though, that he got plenty of chances to make an impact in Preseason Week 1 against the Chargers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Woody Marks Still Offers Late-Round PPR Value
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks isn't taking David Montgomery's job, but that doesn't make him an afterthought. Marks led Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie and added 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. The Texans brought in Montgomery to handle a major share of the backfield, and the veteran is viewed as capable of playing all three downs. Marks still has a way onto the field. Houston has been expanding his route work, and he has looked quicker this summer, including a 20-yard run with the first-team offense during camp. There is more competition behind them, too, with Jawhar Jordan putting together a strong summer. Marks isn't the safest bet for touchdowns, and his 3.6 yards per carry last year leaves some room for improvement. RotoBaller has him at RB47, though. That's low enough to take a chance on a second-year back who already handled 220 offensive touches and should stay involved as both a runner and receiver. He looks more useful as a late-round PPR target than a simple Montgomery handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Montgomery Still Has the Upper Hand in Houston's Backfield
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is not taking over an empty backfield, but he still has the better path to fantasy points. The 29-year-old was squeezed down to a career-low 158 carries in Detroit last season and still produced 716 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Houston traded for him in March, then reworked his contract into a two-year, $16.5 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. Woody Marks is not disappearing. He led the Texans with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie, caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three scores, and has been preparing for a larger receiving role. Current camp reporting suggests the split will change with the situation. That still leaves Montgomery as the stronger bet for the physical early-down work, with Marks mixing in on passing downs and elsewhere. RotoBaller ranks Montgomery RB21 in PPR and RB26 in dynasty. That is a fair price for a back who has scored at least eight touchdowns in three straight seasons. He remains a solid redraft RB2 and a useful win-now piece. Rebuilding teams should be willing to shop him before the age discount gets any steeper.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeMeco Ryans Sees Year 2 Jump From Woody Marks
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks is showing second-year growth during training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said, according to DJ Bien-Aime. Marks played 16 games with eight starts as a rookie, leading Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught 24 of 36 targets for 208 yards and three scores, giving him five total touchdowns despite averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Houston added David Montgomery during the offseason after struggling to run the ball consistently in 2025, and the coaching staff has described the veteran as a three-down back. Marks has also been learning a broader route tree as the Texans explore ways to feature his receiving ability. Ryans' assessment is an encouraging sign that Marks is progressing after handling significant responsibility as a rookie. Montgomery's arrival limits his path to another lead-back workload, but continued development in the passing game could help Marks retain a meaningful complementary role in Houston's backfield.
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Woody Marks a Sneaky Value Pick in PPR Formats in 2026
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks led the team in rushing in 2025 in his rookie season after being taken in the fourth round (116th overall) out of USC, carrying the ball 196 times for 703 yards and two touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (eight starts). The 25-year-old added 24 receptions for 208 yards and three touchdowns on 36 targets as a pass-catcher. Fantasy managers may be down on him going into his second NFL season due to the Texans' offseason addition of David Montgomery, which could present a buying opportunity in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues this year. Running backs coach Danny Barrett said he still thinks the Georgia native will take on a sizable role in the team's backfield this year despite Monty's presence. Marks lacks the explosiveness as a pure runner -- he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie -- and although he disappointed somewhat as a receiver in 2025, that's where most of his value will most likely lie in 2026. He profiles as a nice late-round target for RB depth in PPR leagues, and he'll be a solid handcuff to Montgomery as well.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
David Montgomery a Reliable Bell Cow Available Outside the Early Rounds of Drafts
For the first time since his final season with the Bears in 2022, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery enters the year as the unquestioned leader of his team's backfield. With the Texans thrown an offseason curveball last year by the mysterious foot injury of presumed starter Joe Mixon, they were forced to piece the position together with a combination of veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, neither of whom proved particularly effective for an offense built to play with a lead. Despite sharing the Detroit backfield with perennial Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs for the past three seasons, Montgomery has remained fantasy-relevant through his continued usage near the goal line, and as a player with a proven history of handling heavy workloads, he allows Marks to slip back into a more natural pass-catching role. With a defense that can help to create positive game scripts in a hurry, Montgomery should serve as the closer that this Texans offense was sorely lacking in 2025, and as RotoBaller's RB21, he represents reliable value often available in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jawhar Jordan "Playing Faster" as he Battles for RB3 Role
Houston Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett said that Jawhar Jordan is "playing faster than he was last year" as he battles for the RB3 role in 2026 behind newcomer David Montgomery and second-year back Woody Marks, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. After being selected in the sixth round (205th overall) in 2024 out of the University of Louisville, Jordan didn't play at all in his rookie season before carrying the ball 43 times for 193 yards and zero touchdowns in just four games in 2025. He rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries in his first regular-season game against the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the second player in franchise history to rush for 100 yards in their NFL debut. The 26-year-old is now trying to do enough in his third NFL season to stay ahead of undrafted rookies Noah Whittington and Joshua Pitsenberger, and veteran Evan Hull. Jordan's improvement and speed on the football field should be enough to land him the RB3 job if he can contribute on special teams as well, but he's going to need an injury to one of Montgomery or Marks to pop up on the fantasy radar as a waiver-wire pickup in single-year leagues in 2026.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks Expected to Get "Lots of Opportunities"
Despite the offseason acquisition of running back David Montgomery, the Houston Texans still plan on giving second-year RB Woody Marks "lots of opportunities" in 2026, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Marks emerged as Houston's lead back in his first year in the NFL, with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) missing all year and Nick Chubb fading. He led the team with 703 rushing yards and two touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three more TDs. The 25-year-old former fourth-rounder out of USC is now adapting to what will be a complementary role alongside Montgomery, but the Texans still envision a solid workload for him in Year 2 that includes third-down pass-catching duties and carries, along with a new role on kickoff returns. While Marks may not be Houston's "lead back" now that Monty is in town, he can still be useful for their offense and as an RB4/flex target for fantasy managers in PPR leagues. In dynasty/keeper leagues, Marks is a prime buy-low target after the Texans traded for Montgomery.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
David Montgomery a Running Back to Target in Zero-RB Builds
For the first time since 2023, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery projects to lead his team in carries. While he's now three years older than the player who finished that season as the RB13, and he no longer has the benefit of Ben Johnson drawing up plays for him, he still boasts tremendous upside for a player routinely slipping outside the first four rounds of 2026 drafts. While his usage has dipped in recent seasons, his efficiency has not. In his three seasons sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, who is now comfortably in the conversation of the best backs in the game, Montgomery averaged .87 fantasy points per touch. In Houston, with one of the league's premier defenses allowing for a baseline of neutral or positive game scripts, the eighth-year veteran could see enormous volume. 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks was inefficient as a rookie after being thrust into lead back duty and figures to settle into a more natural pass-catching role, leaving the former Lion with the lion's share of the carries. At RotoBaller's RB21, Montgomery profiles as one of this year's safest RB2s but also has the upside to anchor a receiver-heavy build in a zero-RB strategy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texans Hoping to Build Punishing Running Game With David Montgomery
The Houston Texans traded for former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery in the offseason and signed him to a two-year, $16.5 million extension. KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson writes that the arrival of Montgomery in Houston "should allow the Texans to build a punishing run game and become a better red-zone and play-action offense." "He's all-day tough," offensive coordinator Nick Caley said of Montgomery. "His body of work will speak for itself. Runs behind his pads, stays grounded. Arm tackles aren't getting it done. He's going to try to run through you every single chance. He can set guys up. He understands how to set blocks and to deliver and help deliver defenders to the blocker." The lack of a consistent ground game was one of the big reasons the Texans offense sputtered in 2025. Gone are Joe Mixon (foot) and veteran Nick Chubb. Monty will provide a bruising complement to the more shifty Woody Marks, who should work in more of a pass-catching role in Year 2. After being the clear lead back to Jahmyr Gibbs last year in Detroit, Montgomery should be Houston's RB1 in 2026, giving him clear RB2 upside again in fantasy football.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks a Top Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Rebuilders
Across 16 games (eight starts) as a rookie in 2025, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks recorded 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches. The 25-year-old began the year behind former Houston veteran back Nick Chubb, but Marks emerged as the team's RB1 over the second half of the season. Entering 2026, Marks looks to have fallen back into RB2 duties following the Texans' offseason trade acquisition of former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. However, Marks could still play a key role in the Houston offense as a pass-catcher. Marks recorded 208 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 2025, while Montgomery averaged just over two targets per game across his final three seasons with the Lions. Montgomery is also entering his age-29 season in 2026, so Marks could still profile as the running back of the future in Houston. In dynasty formats, managers could have a prime buy-low window on Marks following the Texans' addition of Montgomery.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Montgomery to be Three-Down Back for Texans?
The Houston Texans acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in an offseason trade, and he's set to be the lead RB this year in Houston. The Texans ran the ball 387 times a year ago, but they just weren't very effective after not having Joe Mixon (foot) for the entire season. Monty has already been receiving "rave reviews" from offensive coordinator Nick Caley, and the Texans think that Montgomery could be a "potential three-down back" in 2026 as they look to create more physicality in their running game, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Woody Marks took over lead-back duties for the team a year ago in his rookie season out of necessity, and he's not guaranteed to have a big role in his second season as long as Montgomery stays healthy. A lot depends on the progress of Houston's offensive line and quarterback C.J. Stroud's ability to bounce back after several disappointing seasons. If those two things align, Monty could emerge as a solid RB2 for fantasy managers after seeing his role decline in 2025 in his final year in Detroit.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Woody Marks Carries Buy-Low Appeal for Dynasty Managers Entering 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks finished his rookie year with 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches across 16 games (eight starts). After starting the season in a secondary role behind veteran back Nick Chubb, Marks gradually assumed the RB1 job over the course of the year. However, Marks looks to be back in an RB2 role in Houston entering 2026 after the team's offseason trade acquisition of former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. Montgomery is entering his age-29 season and failed to reach 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career in 2025, but his production decline can largely be attributed to the emergence of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. Still, while Marks may see a decline in goal-line and early-down work in 2026, he should still be Houston's primary pass-catching back. Given Montgomery's age, Marks could still profile as the future of the running back position in Houston as well. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider buying low on Marks ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Managers Look to Sell High on David Montgomery This Year?
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is a dynasty hold for now, but a strong start to the 2026 season could position him as an intriguing sell-high candidate. Montgomery has maintained his ranking as the overall RB29 in dynasty leagues, but now that he's 28 years old and was shipped off to the Texans in an offseason trade, managers might be hesitant to trade for him. With that being said, a productive start to the 2026 season would make him a top target for dynasty managers looking to win now. We fully expect to see Montgomery have a significant role in Houston after Woody Marks showed that he probably can't handle an every-down role. If Montgomery gets short-yardage situations (including goal-line snaps) and even some early-down work, he'll increase his trade value, becoming a midseason sell-high candidate for managers looking to stock up draft picks. On the other hand, if Montgomery's current managers are in a win-now position, he'll remain a "hold" with RB2 upside. After all, he had 900+ scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns last season, even though he was the clear No. 2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
