​As the Houston Texans head into the 2026 NFL season, the backfield discussion has taken an intriguing turn. After a rookie year in which fourth-round pick Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks carried a heavy workload down the stretch and into the playoffs, general manager Nick Caserio made a bold move this offseason by trading for veteran hammer David Montgomery. On the surface, adding a true power back like Montgomery might appear to threaten Marks’s role. Yet a closer look at offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s scheme and the direction of the modern NFL reveals that Marks isn’t being pushed aside; he’s being deployed into the exact role he was born to play, a development that could elevate the Texans’ ground game.
Marks isn’t destined to be just a backup in 2026. He is poised to be the essential, versatile spark alongside Montgomery’s bruiser, bringing a dynamic complement to the unit. Here’s how the second-year back is positioned to leave his imprint on the offense.
During his college days, split between Mississippi State and USC, Marks established himself as an exceptional pass catcher, setting Mississippi State’s career record for receptions by a running back. His rookie rushing numbers left room for improvement—3.6 yards per carry behind a battered line—but his elite contributions in the passing game have never been in question. Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett recently highlighted that Marks’s role will explicitly include third-down duties. In minicamp, Caley has had Marks running a wide array of routes, signaling a plan to maximize his versatile skill set.
Pass protection is a critical factor for a running back to stay on the field on third down, and Marks has earned high praise from the coaching staff for his blitz pickups. His ability to pick up heat in protection builds immediate trust in the franchise’s quarterback, a valuable trait for sustaining longer, more efficient drives. Beyond protection, Marks creates matchup advantages. Linebackers can’t keep pace with him in space, which Caley is likely to exploit by aligning Marks on option routes out of the backfield, targeting slower defenders and moving the chains.
Caley has stressed a desire to cultivate a heavy, balanced run-pass identity in 2026. Montgomery will carry the heavy lifting of early-down, between-the-tackles rushing, but Marks provides a dynamic change of pace. When defenses tire from Montgomery’s punishing style in the first and second quarters, fresh legs in Marks—especially in two-minute scenarios or late-game drives—can keep opposing coordinators off balance. Marks’s postseason performance last January, when he surpassed 100 rushing yards, demonstrated that he can deliver in clutch moments when his number is called.
Special teams deserve attention as well. The Texans are preparing Marks for a significant role under the NFL’s updated kickoff return rules, aiming to leverage his vision and quickness in space to gain a strategic edge.
The addition of David Montgomery should not be interpreted as a lack of faith in Woody Marks. Rather, it should be viewed as structural enhancement for the backfield. By taking on third-down responsibilities and contributing as a dynamic change-of-pace option, Marks can flourish without sacrificing Montgomery’s power-ground workload. This arrangement positions Houston to implement a more balanced, unpredictable attack that keeps defenses guessing about where the most impactful plays will come from. In this framework, Marks’s speed, receiving prowess, and three-down potential become a critical piece of a modern, multi-faceted Texans offense.