Woody Marks
NFL player. Position: RB. Team: HOU.
Quick Facts
- Position: RB
- Team: HOU (Houston Texans)
- Bye week (2026): 8
- FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 130
2026 Outlook
Role shift to pass-catcher: After logging 700+ rushing yards as a second-year back in 2025, Marks will transition into a complementary receiving role with the arrival of David Montgomery. According to Marks (May 17), he's working extensively on his route tree with OC Nick Caley and shifting identity from bellcow to "change-of-pace back" with much of his 2026 volume coming through the passing game. Marks sees the Montgomery partnership as a net positive—"less I can take off my body" with fresh legs available (per Woody Marks' Latest Comments Reveal His Texans Role for 2026). This follows a Detroit model where Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs complemented each other successfully, with one handling ground work and one providing receiving threat.
Training camp committee approach (July 22): NFL Network's Jane Slater reported that the Texans plan to split lead back reps between Montgomery and Marks during training camp rather than making Montgomery a bellcow. The 2025 numbers reveal Marks' rookie workload capacity: 229 total carries (regular season + playoffs) with 242 routes run, producing 832 rushing yards, 227 receiving yards, and 3 TDs despite chronic minor injuries that limited his availability (frequent visits to the training tent without landing on IR). Marks' ability to execute on 471 total touches as a rookie while managing injury fluctuations suggests the Texans value his durability and dual-threat abilities. The committee approach keeps Marks fresher while Montgomery's lower 2025 usage (158 carries with Lions) gives him fresh legs—making the split reps strategically sound for a "Lombardi Trophy mission" focused on long-term health rather than individual production. Marks has earned trust from OC Nick Caley based on his 2025 performance, including a 100-yard, 1-TD playoff debut against Pittsburgh (per Jane Slater's report hints the Texans may have a smarter running back plan).
Chubb retirement (Aug 22): Nick Chubb announced his NFL retirement after eight seasons; he started 2025 as Houston's lead back but fourth-round rookie Woody Marks passed him down the stretch—Chubb finished with 506 rushing yards and three TDs in 15 games. Marks' path to a larger 2026 role is clearer with Chubb gone. (per Former Browns, Texans RB Nick Chubb announces retirement - ESPN)
Fantasy outlook: Marks becomes a scoring-volume play dependent on red-zone work and receiving touches—not a high-volume rusher anymore. His appeal hinges on catch totals and TDs. At RB130 on FantasyPros, he's likely a late-round flyer with upside if he's heavily involved in the receiving game, but ceiling is capped by shared carries with Montgomery. The committee approach likely means 15-20 carries per week rather than bellcow 20+ usage.
Role / Depth Chart
Second RB / primary receiving option. Marks is #2 on the depth chart with David Montgomery as the starter. Texans' scheme positions Marks as the "change-of-pace" and slot-receiving option, with Nick Caley designing routes to leverage his speed and explosiveness out of the backfield.
Injury Status
Healthy.
Recent News
- 2026-08-22 — Former Browns, Texans RB Nick Chubb announces retirement - ESPN (Former Browns, Texans RB Nick Chubb announces retirement - ESPN)
- 2026-07-22 — Texans reveal Woody Marks, David Montgomery plans that could confuse fantasy football... (Texans reveal Woody Marks, David Montgomery plans that could confuse fantasy football...)
- 2026-05-01 — Picking winners and losers for the Texans after the 2026 NFL Draft (Picking winners and losers for the Texans after the 2026 NFL Draft)
- 2026-03-12 — Dynasty Fallout: How Free Agency Just Changed Player Values (Dynasty Fallout: How Free Agency Just Changed Player Values)
- 2026-05-30 — NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026] (NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026])
- 2026-05-18 — Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026) (Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026))
- 2026-04-03 — 2026 fantasy football rankings: Profiling the top 45 RBs (2026 fantasy football rankings: Profiling the top 45 RBs)
- 2026-05-05 — Houston Texans 2026 Post-Draft Roster Tiers (Houston Texans 2026 Post-Draft Roster Tiers)
- 2026-03-08 — Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Superflex Dynasty Startup (2026) (Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Superflex Dynasty Startup (2026))
- 2026-06-12 — David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026) (David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook (2026))
- 2026-06-05 — 5 Running Backs to Target in Drafts (2026 Fantasy Football) (5 Running Backs to Target in Drafts (2026 Fantasy Football))
Open Questions
(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)
HOU