Houston Texans News

Across 16 games (eight starts) as a rookie in 2025, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks recorded 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches. The 25-year-old began the year behind former Houston veteran back Nick Chubb, but Marks emerged as the team's RB1 over the second half of the season. Entering 2026, Marks looks to have fallen back into RB2 duties following the Texans' offseason trade acquisition of former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. However, Marks could still play a key role in the Houston offense as a pass-catcher. Marks recorded 208 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 2025, while Montgomery averaged just over two targets per game across his final three seasons with the Lions. Montgomery is also entering his age-29 season in 2026, so Marks could still profile as the running back of the future in Houston. In dynasty formats, managers could have a prime buy-low window on Marks following the Texans' addition of Montgomery.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz put together a very solid season in 2025, recording 82 catches for 777 yards and three touchdowns on 106 targets across 17 games. However, there are reasons to doubt that Schultz will match his production in 2026 and beyond. For one, Schultz is highly reliant on target volume for production, as he's averaged just seven yards per target for his career. Additionally, the Texans selected tight end Marlin Klein in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, signed veteran tight end Foster Moreau in free agency, and should get a healthier season out of tight end Cade Stover, who missed eight games with a foot injury in 2025. Houston also has a pair of up-and-coming young wide receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. All in all, Schultz's role in Houston's passing game is likely to shrink as he enters his age-30 season. Dynasty managers should be looking to sell high on Schultz ahead of 2026.

Since a third-year breakout in 2023, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has topped 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns in each of the past three seasons while twice finishing as a top-five-graded receiver by PFF, and only dropping as low as No. 8 in 2025. As the unquestioned focal point of opposing defenses, Collins has finished as the WR9 in each of his last two full seasons, and with reinforcements coming to the Texans' offense in 2026, his game could take yet another step up. After finishing with one of the least efficient running games in the league, Houston traded for David Montgomery, and with further development expected from second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and the potential return of Tank Dell from a devastating 2024 knee injury, Collins could face significantly lower rates of double teams moving forward. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR10, the 27-year-old still has several years of prime play left after a slow start to his NFL career.

Since bursting onto the fantasy scene as a rookie in 2023, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has struggled to live up to the hype. Across 14 games in 2025, the 24-year-old completed 64.5% of his pass attempts for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Stroud's fantasy upside is capped by his lack of rushing ability, as he's averaged 200 rushing yards per season in his NFL career and has four career rushing touchdowns. However, there may be reason to believe that 2026 can be his most efficient year as a passer since his rookie season. Houston made some key additions to its offensive line in the offseason, signing tackle Braden Smith and left guard Wyatt Teller in free agency and then using a first-round pick in the 2026 Draft on center Keylan Rutledge. The Texans should also get healthier seasons out of wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell (knee) and have a pair of exciting young wideouts in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Stroud may never emerge as a fantasy superstar, but he still offers dynasty managers some upside while providing a solid QB2 floor.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel stood out as a winner at the team's veteran minicamp, according to Jared Koch of Sports Illustrated. Per Koch, Noel "stood out as the clear top option in the slot for Houston's air attack." A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Noel recorded 26 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets across 17 games as a rookie. The 23-year-old spent most of 2025 in a reserve role behind veteran wideout Christian Kirk, but Kirk has since departed Houston for the San Francisco 49ers. The return of Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) from the knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season could create a new barrier to playing time for Noel. However, it appears that Noel is a key piece of Houston's game plan on offense heading into training camp. His stock in both dynasty and redraft formats could continue to rise throughout the summer with a strong performance in training camp.

The Houston Texans are still easing wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) in during offseason workouts, but KPRC2 Sports' Aaron Wilson says that Dell's outlook is "becoming more positive," and he plans to increase his practice activity at training camp this summer. Dell has been running and cutting without any setbacks, although he isn't as dynamic as he was before he dislocated his knee and tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL two years ago. There is still a long way to go for the former University of Houston star, but he has already made significant progress. "Looking for him to be Tank," WRs coach and passing-game coordinator Ben McDaniels said. "He's been working really hard to get back to what he knows he is and can be. It's been a long process, and he's still at it." The 26-year-old broke his leg in his rookie season and was also shot in the leg that same offseason, so he has endured no shortage of adversity. The Texans are taking a patient, big-picture approach with the speedster, but they do plan on him being an asset in 2026. At least early on, Dell will probably be facing an uphill battle for consistent targets in a WR corps that already features WR1 Nico Collins and emerging second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

The Houston Texans acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in an offseason trade, and he's set to be the lead RB this year in Houston. The Texans ran the ball 387 times a year ago, but they just weren't very effective after not having Joe Mixon (foot) for the entire season. Monty has already been receiving "rave reviews" from offensive coordinator Nick Caley, and the Texans think that Montgomery could be a "potential three-down back" in 2026 as they look to create more physicality in their running game, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Woody Marks took over lead-back duties for the team a year ago in his rookie season out of necessity, and he's not guaranteed to have a big role in his second season as long as Montgomery stays healthy. A lot depends on the progress of Houston's offensive line and quarterback C.J. Stroud's ability to bounce back after several disappointing seasons. If those two things align, Monty could emerge as a solid RB2 for fantasy managers after seeing his role decline in 2025 in his final year in Detroit.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks finished his rookie year with 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches across 16 games (eight starts). After starting the season in a secondary role behind veteran back Nick Chubb, Marks gradually assumed the RB1 job over the course of the year. However, Marks looks to be back in an RB2 role in Houston entering 2026 after the team's offseason trade acquisition of former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. Montgomery is entering his age-29 season and failed to reach 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career in 2025, but his production decline can largely be attributed to the emergence of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. Still, while Marks may see a decline in goal-line and early-down work in 2026, he should still be Houston's primary pass-catching back. Given Montgomery's age, Marks could still profile as the future of the running back position in Houston as well. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider buying low on Marks ahead of 2026.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has reportedly been standing out during the team's organized team activities and is a player to watch as the Texans move into the next phase of the offseason program. The 2025 second-round pick drew the praise of head coach Demeco Ryans for the improvements he's made since his rookie season, while team reporter Aaron Wilson wrote that he's "displaying signs that he could be poised for a breakout", with both commending his increased strength and play speed. Ryans went so far as to say, "He's going to have a great year. Can't wait to see it." Higgins finished his rookie season with 525 yards and six touchdowns on 42 receptions, playing some of his best ball down the stretch and through two postseason games, and at RotoBaller's WR55, he could become a steal in the late rounds of 2026 redraft leagues.

Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel hauled in 26 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets. Noel profiles primarily as a slot receiver, so his path to playing time last season was largely blocked by veteran wideout Christian Kirk. While Houston let Kirk walk in free agency, Noel may not be in a better position in 2026 due to the impending return of Texans wideout Tank Dell (knee) from the knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. Dell is recovering from a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments, making both his return and ability to produce uncertain at best. However, if Dell is healthy, Noel could project as the WR4 in Houston behind Dell, Nico Collins, and Jayden Higgins. Noel profiles as a player to hold in dynasty formats for the time being, but his future in Houston is likely largely dependent on Dell's health status going forward.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was seen back on the field in team drills during OTAs on Thursday for the first time since tearing multiple ligaments in his knee back in Week 16 of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old did not play at all last year for the Texans while rehabbing, but barring a setback in training camp this summer, Dell could have a great shot to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. He will most likely be limited in mandatory minicamp workouts later this month, but it's definitely good to see Dell running around on the football field again. The Texans took him with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of the University of Houston, and he caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. Houston is confident that Dell will have a role in his return to action in 2026, but how much of a role he'll have is a big question mark. Dell will be trying to challenge second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel for playing time behind WR1 Nico Collins, and he'll likely go undrafted in most 12-team formats. RotoBaller has Dell ranked as the WR78 currently for the upcoming season.

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is a dynasty hold for now, but a strong start to the 2026 season could position him as an intriguing sell-high candidate. Montgomery has maintained his ranking as the overall RB29 in dynasty leagues, but now that he's 28 years old and was shipped off to the Texans in an offseason trade, managers might be hesitant to trade for him. With that being said, a productive start to the 2026 season would make him a top target for dynasty managers looking to win now. We fully expect to see Montgomery have a significant role in Houston after Woody Marks showed that he probably can't handle an every-down role. If Montgomery gets short-yardage situations (including goal-line snaps) and even some early-down work, he'll increase his trade value, becoming a midseason sell-high candidate for managers looking to stock up draft picks. On the other hand, if Montgomery's current managers are in a win-now position, he'll remain a "hold" with RB2 upside. After all, he had 900+ scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns last season, even though he was the clear No. 2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell continues to recover from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2024 sophomore campaign and cost him the entirety of the 2025 season, and while he is present at the team's organized team activities, he is not yet participating. The gruesome nature of the injury that resulted in a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments has the Texans taking a cautious approach to his recovery and has understandably brought about questions of how Dell will look when he finally returns to action. As a rookie in 2023, he was the fantasy WR38 in half-PPR formats, and before the injury in 2024, he was trending towards another top-45 finish. Now at only 26 years old, he has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR64, and while any manager who has held him to this point is unlikely to sell at that price, Dell is an intriguing upside dart throw in the later rounds of dynasty startups.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is in attendance but not participating in his team's OTAs, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Dell missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from the catastrophic knee injury he suffered in December 2024. The 26-year-old has a chance to be ready to go at some point in 2026 for Houston, but his return timeline currently remains uncertain. Across 14 games before getting injured in 2024, Dell recorded 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. He's flashed significant upside when healthy, but Dell is now attempting to come back from tearing his ACL, MCL, and LCL ligaments while also suffering meniscus damage. His production outlook is very difficult to project, which makes him a risky gamble for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished as the overall TE10 in PPR leagues last year, but there are questions about his dynasty outlook as he prepares for his age-30 season. Schultz played in all 17 games last year, catching 82 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns. His 106 targets ranked second on the team, putting him just 14 targets behind team leader Nico Collins. The involvement was very encouraging, and his high reception total made up for the fact that he wasn't a huge touchdown threat. However, as the Texans' receiver room gets better and healthier, Schultz could fall out of favor. Collins is an ever-present threat, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are due for Year 2 breakouts, and Tank Dell (knee) is working his way back from injury. Therefore, although Schultz may still have the tight end room to himself, it's hard to imagine he'll end up with 100+ targets again. He projects as more of a mid-to-low TE2 going forward in dynasty leagues.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has emerged as a potential Year 2 breakout, and head coach Demeco Ryans indicated that Higgins has made the physical leap needed to become a weekly fantasy threat. "Bigger, stronger, and faster," Ryans said regarding Higgins. "Going to have a really great year based on what he's doing." While we need to be cautious how much trust we invest in coachspeak, these comments would suggest that the Iowa State product is ready to become a key piece in the Texans' offense, building on an impressive rookie season. In 17 games as a rookie last year, he caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He was the WR47, and he could have an even easier path to production now that Christian Kirk is gone, although Tank Dell (knee) could be back in the mix. All in all, we're intrigued by the possibility of Higgins blossoming into a top-36 fantasy receiver next year. He's an intriguing trade target in dynasty leagues.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has reached an agreement on an adjustment to his current contract with the team, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that the adjustment will guarantee Collins' salary for the next two seasons and also includes $17 million in cash increases. While Collins was already under contract with Houston, this new agreement should help ensure that fantasy managers do not have to worry about any contract-related disputes that result in Collins holding out. The 27-year-old recorded 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets across 15 games in 2025 and has hauled in 21 touchdown receptions over the past three years with the Texans. As long as Collins stays healthy, he profiles as a low-end fantasy WR1 heading into 2026.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins finished just inside the top 50 wideouts in half-PPR fantasy points in his first year in the NFL in 2025 after the Texans selected him 34th overall in the second round out of Iowa State in last year's draft. He caught 41 of his 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts). The 23-year-old added another nine receptions on 14 targets for 98 yards and no scores in two postseason tilts. Higgins' numbers weren't anything Earth-shattering, but fantasy managers who took him in dynasty leagues had to be happy to see his role grow as the year went on. With veteran Christian Kirk now gone, Higgins has a clear path to the WR2 role in 2026 in his sophomore campaign behind Nico Collins. The Texans are hoping that Tank Dell (knee) will make a mark on offense after missing all of last year with a serious knee injury, but he's no sure thing, and Higgins has much more upside than both Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel. Higgins' dynasty value in the years to come could hinge primarily on whether quarterback C.J. Stroud can turn his career around, but he's certainly an intriguing player to buy in dynasty formats. RotoBaller currently has Higgins ranked as the No. 44 WR in dynasty formats after his solid rookie season.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was once viewed as the QB2 in consensus dynasty rankings, fresh off an incredibly efficient 2023 rookie campaign in which he threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns to only five interceptions. Following two disappointing seasons, and last seen in arguably the worst game of his career in a Divisional Round playoff loss to the Patriots, he has fallen to QB18 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. With the Texans exercising his fifth-year option back in April, Stroud will spend at least the next two seasons with a Houston team that has a strong enough surrounding cast to keep him fantasy relevant even without the safety of a rushing floor. Stroud has not topped 233 rushing yards through his first three years in the league, and with that type of immobility, his yearly fantasy finishes will be intrinsically linked to his touchdown totals. While he finished 2025 with only 19 passing touchdowns, he was on pace for more than 30 and was the fantasy QB14 through the first half of the year before a concussion knocked him out of a Week 9 loss to the Broncos and ultimately cost him three starts. While he is unlikely to ever return to top two dynasty status, Stroud's ceiling when things break right is still higher than his current ranking would suggest, and as a more than capable second quarterback in superflex leagues, he's become an undervalued trade target who has yet to turn 25.

Free agent running back Joe Mixon has all but fallen off the fantasy radar following a mysteriously deleted 2025 season stemming from a foot/ankle injury first reported during organized team activities with the Houston Texans. To this day, little information has been provided about the injury, with Texans general manager Nick Caserio calling it a freak situation earlier this offseason without adding any additional details. Mixon turns 30 before the start of the 2026 season, and since being released by the Texans in early March, his name has scarcely come up in free agent conversations, suggesting his NFL career may have already come to an unceremonious end. In his lone healthy season with the Texans, he finished as the RB13 in half-PPR formats. He now clings to the RB73 spot in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, but if he fails to latch onto a team by the time training camps are in full force, dynasty managers still holding out hope of a return can safely drop him to open up a roster spot where needed.