Houston

Texans

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.

In a mailbag column, Alexander was asked specifically if the Texans had any interest in adding Deebo Samuel. Alexander writes that the Texans like their current receiver group and will give them every opportunity to show what they’ve got in training camp. Samuel has had an extremely quiet free agency compared even to other veterans like Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen, and it’s puzzling from the outside because Samuel was still putting up solid YAC numbers last year and didn’t appear to have lost a step. He’s still a threat to pop back on to the fantasy radar if he lands in a good situation.

Caley adds that Stroud “looks good” and is “locked in.” These comments were made in relation to Stroud’s offseason work with his new QB coach, Jerry Schuplinski, who also happens to be Caley’s mentor. Former Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson left the organization this offseason after learning that the staff planned to reduce his role. Per Caley, Stroud and Schuplinski are working well together, and Schuplinski is focusing on getting Stroud back to his rookie season form. This report doesn’t give us a ton to go on, but the fact that the offensive coordinator is pleased with his quarterback’s offseason development is at least positive. For now, continue treating him as a starter in superflex leagues.

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.

Bond appears to be the second-team slot receiver and has made plays with that group. Given that Jaylin Noel is already trying to make a real run at playing time behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Jayden Higgins, Bond probably doesn’t have much of a shot of fantasy value in 2026. This does help his case for a roster spot in training camp, though.

Noel has been “making waves” in organized team activities and mandatory minicamp and has “all the makings of a second-year breakout,” running as the first-team offense’s primary slot receiver. Koch believes WR Tank Dell (knee) could face a slow ramp-up process and will likely play on the outside most of the time, rather than in the slot. The Texans’ sixth-round rookie WR Lewis Bond is apparently Noel’s only real competition for the slot role, which is to say, he has almost none. If Noel can carry this momentum into training camp, he has a chance to return FLEX value, or more, this season.

Alexander notes that Noel was primarily used in the return game last season, but “figures to be a factor this year as Houston looks for more production from its receivers outside of Nico Collins.” It remains to be seen how big of a factor he can be, though. Alexander believes the Texans are going to increase their two-tight end-set use this season, which shrinks the number of routes available to the wide receiver position. Texans WR Jayden Higgins has had a good offseason, and could be in line for the WR2 role. Should the Texans rotate Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell (knee) behind Collins and Higgins, target volume could be a problem for Noel.

Injuries thinned the Texans’ tight end depth last season. This offseason, the front office signed TE Foster Moreau and drafted TE Marlin Klein, who is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury. Starting TE Dalton Schultz should continue to play a lot of snaps, though he is likely just a high-end TE2. Increasing 12 personnel sets decreases the number of snaps available to the wide receiver position, which could be a problem if the coaching staff decides to employ a rotation at the WR2 spot.

Dell sat out at practice on Tuesday, the first of three mandatory minicamp practices. He participated in non-contact team drills last week, though. Dell’s training camp participation and preseason usage should help us dial in his projections regarding his role for 2026. At this time, he offers a very low floor and his spot on the depth chart is a bit murky.

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.