Player Outlooks
David Montgomery Is Still Houston's RB1 — But Woody Marks Keeps Me From Paying Workhorse Prices
David Montgomery remains the Houston back I want first, but Woody Marks' rookie workload and strong summer make it dangerous to draft Montgomery as if a true workhorse role is guaranteed.
I like David Montgomery in Houston.
I also think fantasy managers can get into trouble if they turn that statement into: “David Montgomery is going to handle everything.”
The Texans brought Montgomery in to improve the backfield. He has looked good during camp, and the team has repeatedly highlighted what he adds to the run game.
But Woody Marks did not disappear.
That is why my stance is simple:
Montgomery is still the Houston running back I want first, but I am not paying for a guaranteed workhorse workload.
Montgomery Gives Houston Something It Needed
Montgomery's 2025 numbers in Detroit were still strong on a per-touch basis.
He rushed 158 times for 716 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also caught 24 passes for 192 yards.
Houston added him to an offense that needed more consistency and physicality from the running game.
The Texans have not hidden their excitement.
Their own training-camp coverage repeatedly highlighted Montgomery's vision and physical running. In one practice, Houston's official site described him pressing behind a puller, finding space through traffic and breaking into the open field.
There was also evidence that Montgomery can contribute as more than an early-down grinder. During camp, C.J. Stroud connected with him on a long wheel-route touchdown, a reminder that Montgomery can stay involved in the passing game.
That matters in full PPR.
But Woody Marks Already Handled Real NFL Volume
Marks is not an unknown rookie standing in Montgomery's way.
He played 16 games for Houston in 2025 and handled 196 carries, producing 703 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He added 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
That is 220 offensive touches as a rookie.
The efficiency was not special — 3.6 yards per carry — but volume like that matters when projecting a second-year player.
Houston already trusted Marks enough to give him significant work, including a stretch where he operated as the primary back.
The team then spent this summer continuing to involve him.
In the preseason, Marks had four carries for 37 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas and caught a pass for six yards. Texans training-camp coverage also repeatedly discussed both Montgomery and Marks when evaluating the run game.
This is not a backfield where the second option has disappeared from the plan.
The 50-50 Talk Is Not an Official Depth Chart
There has been outside speculation that the rushing split could be close to 50-50.
I would not treat that as a confirmed coaching declaration.
Beat-writer projections are useful context, but they are still projections.
What matters more to me is that the underlying evidence makes a committee believable.
Montgomery has the stronger veteran résumé and was acquired to help fix the run game.
Marks has an existing role, 220 rookie touches and receiving ability.
Both can be true.
That is why I do not need to predict an exact 60-40 or 55-45 split to know that a 300-touch Montgomery projection is too aggressive for me.
Montgomery Can Still Win at His Price
A committee is not automatically bad for fantasy football.
Montgomery has spent years producing fantasy points without needing every snap.
Touchdowns are a major part of his profile, and Houston should give him scoring opportunities if the offense plays well around C.J. Stroud.
He can also create value if the Texans trust him with the most important short-yardage and goal-line work.
If Montgomery gets 14 to 16 carries most weeks, catches a couple of passes and handles a strong share of the scoring opportunities, he can absolutely be a useful fantasy RB2.
I do not need 22 touches per game.
What I do need is a draft price that reflects the existence of Marks.
Marks Is More Than a Pure Handcuff
This is the other piece I think fantasy managers should understand.
Marks has standalone-role potential.
Because he already has receiving experience and Houston has shown a willingness to put him on the field, his fantasy value does not necessarily require Montgomery to get injured.
That lowers Montgomery's ceiling but makes Marks more interesting late.
If Montgomery misses time, Marks would obviously become much more valuable.
If Montgomery stays healthy, Marks can still earn enough touches to matter in deeper PPR leagues.
That makes him a better late-round bench target than backs whose only path to relevance is an injury ahead of them.
My Fantasy Read
I'm buying David Montgomery as Houston's first running back, but I'm fading the idea that he is a locked-in workhorse.
I am comfortable drafting Montgomery as an RB2 when the price is reasonable.
I do not want to push him into a range where I need 18 to 20 touches every week for the pick to work.
Woody Marks had 220 touches as a rookie and remained involved throughout the summer. He is not going away.
Montgomery first. Marks later.
But price the backfield like a committee — not like Montgomery has the job to himself.