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    Woody Marks will get ‘lots of opportunities’

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    HOU Running Back #4
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    Texans assistant HC/RBs coach Danny Barrett said Woody Marks is “going to get lots of opportunities” this season.

    Barrett said Marks will “pick up some third downs” while also adding he could see more work in the passing game. While David Montgomery, who was acquired from the Lions earlier this offseason, is expected to lead the Texans’ backfield in touches this season, any uptick in the passing game is good news for Marks and his fantasy managers. Marks caught just 24 passes as a rookie last season, but the former USC Trojan was among the best pass-catching backs in the 2025 draft class, and amassed 261 receptions for 1,546 yards and five touchdowns during his five college seasons. Barrett praised Marks for his increased pace of play last season as he became more acclimated to the pro game and said his confidence “is at an all-time high” entering this year. Depending on the volume he sees in the passing game, Marks could have some decent stand alone value in PPR leagues even with Montgomery likely handling most of the early-down and goal-line touches.
Will Olave's hold-in impact his fantasy value?
Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter discuss Chris Olave's hold-in at New Orleans Saints training camp as he seeks a new deal.

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  • HOU Running Back #4
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    Ryans said the same of Jayden Higgins. He talked about Marks looking faster and making better decisions. In other words, the game is slowing down for Marks as he enters his second NFL season. Houston had no choice but to load Marks up with touches as a rookie. He struggled to make much of the workload, turning 196 carries into 706 yards and just two touchdowns. The team then traded for David Montgomery in the offseason. Montgomery is locked in as the starter, but the comments about Marks could point toward more of a committee than fantasy managers have been expecting.
  • HOU Running Back #32
    Yesterday, Slater indicated that Montgomery will likely have “slightly” more work than RB Woody Marks this year. She went on Good Morning Football to clarify her comments today, saying the Texans envision “meaningful roles” for both players. NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported something similar earlier this month. Early in June, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the Texans view Montgomery as “a potential three-down back if needed.” It sounds like that might not be needed. Slater notes, “one issue” is that both players must buy in to the idea of a split backfield, albeit with Montgomery in the lead role. Slater indicates that Montgomery wanted more work than he was getting with the Lions last year, and that the Texans “seemed like an attractive spot” for him. Houston, however, believed Montgomery would be “great for our guy, Woody Marks, who we already saw flashes from.” First-team training camp reps should help us assess whether a 55-45 split is in play. Stay tuned.
  • HOU Running Back #4
    Wilson writes that the Texans “envision a solid workload for Marks that includes third-down pass-catching duties and carries along with a new role on kickoff returns.” Texans RB coach and assistant head coach Danny Barrett said Marks’ “role is going to pick up some third downs, special teams,” and Marks adds that OC Nick Caley has him running “all types of routes.” It sounds like Marks will be involved on third down, but perhaps not featured. If Marks can secure the lead third-down role, and potentially the two-minute drill role, he may be able to generate PPR RB2 scam/FLEX stat lines this season.
  • HOU Running Back #32
    Caley called plays for the first time in his career last year. His neutral situation pass play rate varied dramatically at different points in the season, going from 55.1 percent before the Week 6 bye to 64.1 percent in Weeks 7-12. He dropped back down to 55.8 percent after that. We expect him to remain in this range in 2026. Caley also believes balance can be achieved via “the usage of different players,” and remarked positively on the versatility achieved by using multi-tight end sets. Heavier personnel packages allow one to “deploy different types of blocking schemes” and attack “different surfaces” while effectively extending the offensive line. New Texans starting RB David Montgomery should benefit from Caley’s renewed commitment to running a heavy, balanced offense.
  • HOU Running Back #32
    The “if needed” is a bit of a buzzkill, but it should surprise nobody if Montgomery is a heavy-touch player in Houston’s offense this season after coming over in an offseason trade. Woody Marks is not guaranteed to have a major role if Montgomery can handle third downs as well. Montgomery mostly ceded these roles to Jahmyr Gibbs with the Lions; it is no insult to Marks to note that he is not Gibbs.
  • HOU Running Back
    It’s a pay raise for Montgomery, who can make $16.5 million over two years. Per KPRC'2 Aaron Wilson, Montgomery’s upgraded contract also includes a $6.5 million signing bonus along with a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary for 2026, while his 2027 numbers will include a base salary of $7.5 million with $2 million of that guaranteed. Montgomery was previously owed non-guaranteed money for each of the next two seasons. The soon-to-be 29-year-old running back was acquired from the Lions in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick and figures to be the RB1 of the Texans’ backfield in 2026.
  • HOU Running Back #5
    Just days after it was reported that Montgomery wanted out of Detroit — a report he refuted — the veteran running back is now on his way to Houston. The soon-to-be 29-year-old will presumably take over as the Texans’ RB1 this season with Joe Mixon likely on the way out, and Woody Marks an early candidate to handle more of a passing-downs role. Montgomery rushed 343 times for 1,491 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two seasons in Detroit while catching another 60 passes for 533 scoreless yards. Barring an extension, Montgomery will enter 2026 with two years left on his contract with a chance to earn another deal in 2028. In addition to Scruggs, the Texans also sent a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Lions.
  • DET Running Back #5
    Montgomery took to his X account to quote a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he wanted out of Detroit. The veteran running back wrote in his post, “Damn, Dmo told you that?” Suggesting reports of his desire to leave the Motor City are untrue. It’s not the first time we’ve seen players refute a report like this, and it won’t be the last. It’s also not uncommon to learn later down the road that these reports were true even if they didn’t come from the player himself. Either way, what we can confirm is that Montgomery had a career low in carries (158) and rushing yards (716) last season with the Lions and is under contract for two more seasons. With the Lions reportedly willing to move him for a Day 3 pick in this year’s draft, it’s possible his time with the team could come to an end whether he wants it to or not.
  • DET Running Back #5
    Montgomery “wants out” per Fowler, and Fowler connects him to the Seahawks if Seattle fails to re-sign Kenneth Walker. There’s an argument to be made that Montgomery would be an easy second place to Walker in the free agent rankings if he were actually a free agent. His workload has been kept low by years of splitting snaps with Jahmyr Gibbs, and he’s still in his late prime entering his age-29 season. The buzz continues to point towards Montgomery being moved.
  • DET Running Back #5
    It sure sounds like the Lions could move on from Montgomery in a trade. Entering his age-29 season, Montgomery could emerge as a solid fantasy RB2 in the right situation this offseason. This Lions enter the offseason roughly $10 million over the cap, releasing Montgomery would free up $3.5 million. It is also possible that Montgomery simply wants a bigger role than he had down the stretch during Jahmyr Gibbs’ takeover. Montgomery had 10 or more carries just once after Week 10. Holmes said: “We’d love to have him ... But obviously a player has to want to be at a certain place as well.”

Rotoworld

  • SEA Running Back #8
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    Jadarian Price handled the opening first-team rep in the Seahawks’ first full-team scrimmage on Thursday.

    It’s one rep in one practice, but it is certainly notable after the Seahawks had previously reserved those honors for holdover George Holani during the offseason program. Beat writer Gregg Bell also reports Price “continued his daily regimen of catching pass,” adding “it’s constant.” Sam Darnold expects an increase in running back targets to be a feature of new OC Brian Fleury’s offense. “Yeah, I think it helps the quarterback a ton because it does present a different problem for the defense,” Darnold said. So far, everything is breaking Price’s way as he looks to solidify RB2 status in fantasy, though there are many more padded practices and preseason appearances to go.
  • SF Wide Receiver #1
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    49ers signed WR Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract.

    The deal is worth “up to” $7 million, presumably with the “up to” doing some heavy lifting. Trying to wait out underwhelming free agent offers until the right opportunity presented itself, 30-year-old Samuel has found the perfect opportunity in reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan and company. Although his efficiency had been declining even before last season’s trade to the Commanders, we have little doubt it will rebound to a degree under Shanny. The question becomes where he fits in a receiver jigsaw that includes an injured Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk, aging Mike Evans, and unproven De’Zhaun Stribling. Samuel isn’t going to be the usage monster of his prime, but then again, the 49ers also lack proven backfield touches behind Christian McCaffrey. Perhaps even “rushing Samuel” will be in for something of a revival. Although summer fantasy drafters might have been hoping for Samuel to end up in a skill corps with less touch competition, this is ultimately a good outcome for those hoping for top-40 upside.
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    Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw (knee) said he feels “the best” he has felt in two years.

    Darrisaw suffered a multi-ligament tear in his left knee in October 2024 and struggled in his return last year. He told reporters today that he thinks he “turned the corner this offseason.” The Vikings plan to give him regular rest days during training camp and the regular season, but he believes he is on track to be a full-time player once again.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reports that Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love is operating as the RB2 in first-team drills.

    Per Weinfuss, through eight days of training camp, veteran RB Tyler Allgeier “has been getting the majority of the carries with the first team, with Love getting the rest.” This should, helpfully, keep Love’s ADP somewhat suppressed. It is a worthwhile buying opportunity. The No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft should be expected to take over as the starter in-season at the latest. Allgeier will be worth stashing on benches. The team does trust him.
  • ARI Running Back #22
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    ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reports that Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier “has been getting the majority of the carries with the first team.”

    The Cardinals began training camp very early, with both rookies and veterans reporting on July 22nd. Rookie RB Jeremiyah Love is the only other Cardinals back to take first-team reps. Should we now view Allgeier as the season-long lead back? No. Allgeier may end up having standalone value early in the year, but the team drafted Love to be their star. It would even be unsurprising to see Allgeier split first-team snaps 50-50 with Love before the season starts.
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    Steelers hosted free agent S Jordan Whitehead for visit on Thursday.

    A January 2025 car crash sidelined Whitehead for the entire season. He was cleared for football activity just over a week ago.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
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    The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reports that QB Kyler Murray “took a hefty amount of snaps with the starters” on Thursday.

    Per Lewis, Murray connected on a notable deep pass at one point, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert also noted that Murray is pushing the ball downfield. Fellow Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy “spent more time with the No. 2 group” and attempted fewer downfield passes. If this is an indicator that Murray is pulling away, that’s a good thing. The sooner one quarterback begins taking all first-team reps the better.
  • CIN Tight End #83
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    Bengals QB Joe Burrow said TE Erick All (knee) “looks fit, fast, explosive” and will “play a big role for us this year.”

    Late in June, the Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. identified All as a key cog in the Bengals’ intended schematic switches this season. The team hopes to run more plays from under center while also increasing its play-action rate. It remains to be seen how much receiving involvement All will garner, but the team is very clearly excited about his blocking ability, both in-line and as a fullback. A pair of knee surgeries limited All’s availability through his two NFL seasons. If he can truly return to form, who’s to say he can’t be the Bengals’ long-term TE1? All recently told Dehner that getting hit by a three-wheeled truck in Greece this summer restored his confidence in his ability to take a hit. A modern-day odyssey.
  • BUF Wide Receiver #11
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    Bills signed WR Dante Pettis, formerly of the Saints.

    Pettis, 30, caught 9-of-11 targets for 127 yards with the Saints last season. The Bills correspondingly released WR Jalen Virgil with a non-football injury designation.
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    ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that Jets coach Aaron Glenn confirmed his team’s “interest” in free agent CB Terrion Arnold.

    Arnold is facing felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges. It was previously reported that three NFL teams had expressed interest in him after the Lions cut him. The Jets are apparently one of them. The Texans had been identified as another. Glenn characterized his team’s inquiry as doing its “due diligence.” He previously coached Arnold during his time as the Lions’ defensive coordinator. A deal does not appear imminent.