Woody Marks

Joe Mixon's return status is unclear with his non-guaranteed $8M salary for 2026. If he returns healthy, Marks reverts to backup role despite his 2025 breakout.

The Texans traded for David Montgomery (2yr/$16.5M) in early March 2026, explicitly installing him as the RB1. Marks is now the clear RB2 with his workload ceiling capped barring injury.

The Texans traded for David Montgomery in March 2026 on a 2-year, $16.5M deal and subsequently released Mixon — the 'mixon_release_likely' opportunity materialized but was immediately neutralized. With a multi-year commitment to Montgomery, Marks' path to lead-back volume is blocked through at least 2027.

The Texans traded two day-three picks plus Juice Scruggs for David Montgomery (value 3397) to be the clear RB1, dropping Marks from the lead role he held as a rookie to a complementary RB2. His season target share is already trending down (7%) even as carry share rose, signaling a shrinking pass-game-dependent role rather than bell-cow volume.

Marks operates in a crowded Houston backfield with Joe Mixon as the primary back and competition from other depth chart options. His path to consistent volume and RB1/RB2 production remains unclear without an injury to Mixon.

Marks ranked 48th out of 49 qualifying backs (100+ carries) at 3.6 YPC in 2025, with a 23% negative-yardage rate and weak YAC metrics. This profile raises serious questions about whether his volume-driven production was talent-based or purely opportunity-dependent.

Marks took over starting duties in Week 9 and led Houston on a 9-game winning streak, earning trust from coaching staff. He posted 112 yards and a TD in his playoff debut vs Pittsburgh.

Mixon missed all of 2025 with foot injury, has no guaranteed money in 2026, and Houston can save $8M by releasing him. Coach DeMeco Ryans stated there is 'no clarity' on Mixon's return.

Marks is the unquestioned next man up behind Montgomery, who carries an injury history and is on the back half of his career. Any Montgomery absence hands Marks a proven, every-down lead role in a strong Stroud-led offense — high-end contingent value.

The Stroud-led passing attack (Collins 5788, Higgins 3363) generates consistent check-down and screen opportunities for receiving backs; if Marks secures the third-down designation, he retains a PPR floor independent of Montgomery's health.

A defined passing-down role (24 catches, 3 receiving TDs as a rookie) gives Marks PPR floor independent of Montgomery, and pass-catching backs hold value better in dynasty than two-down grinders.

Houston added no RB draft capital in 2026 (only WR Lewis Bond and TE Marlin Klein), leaving Marks as the in-house heir to the backfield once Montgomery's deal becomes cuttable after 2026.