Last season as a USC Trojan, Woody Marks showed out in a big way. He delivered a 1,133 rushing yard season with 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes for 321 yards. This type of production led to Marks being selected with the No. 116 pick in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans.
The expectation for Marks in Year 1 isn’t a 1,000-yard rushing season with the Texans. Houston already has an elite running back in the building: Joe Mixon. However, there is a dire need for a productive running back as the second option. That could be Nick Chubb or it could be Marks.
In a Raiders Wire feature Texans Wire reporter Cole Thompson offered his thoughts on a potential breakout rookie for the Texans:
“There will be a role for Marks in Nick Caley’s offense. How big? That depends on the status of Nick Chubb, who when healthy should be the primary No. 2 back behind Joe Mixon. Still, the Texans didn’t give up a future third-round pick in 2026 for the former USC star to sit. Marks’ best asset are his hands, especially on third down in the receiving game. Over five college seasons with Mississippi State & USC, he caught 261 passes for 1,546 yards and five touchdowns. Caley’s offense has always featured at least one stable pass-catching runner, so if Marks can provide that spark out of the backfield for C.J. Stroud during training camp, he’ll be a gadget type that keeps the sticks moving on manageable situations through the air.”
Woody Marks is a multi-talented back who can play all three downs for this Texans offense, making him really valuable and a candidate for an impactful rookie performer. Who knows how productive Nick Chubb will be after suffering multiple injuries the last couple seasons? Woody Marks is definitely a name to keep an eye on for the Texans this upcoming preseason.