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Woody Marks • RB • Texans

Woody Marks Expected to Share Plenty of Backfield Work

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks appears headed for plenty of work in Year 2. Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reported that Houston used Marks and David Montgomery nearly evenly throughout training camp, with the carry split expected to be close even if it doesn't land exactly at 50-50. Marks led the Texans with 703 rushing yards on 196 carries as a rookie, scoring twice on the ground while adding 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also looked sharp in his main preseason appearance, turning five touches into 43 yards with a 20-yard touchdown against Las Vegas. The Texans have talked about expanding Marks' work on third downs and in the passing game as well. Montgomery will have a significant role, but Marks looks like more than a change-of-pace option heading into the season.

11 hours ago

Kayshon Boutte • WR • Texans

Kayshon Boutte Will be Active in Week 1, Worth a Look on Waiver Wire

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that wide receiver "Kayshon Boutte is picking up the playbook really well" and that he will be active on Sunday, Sept. 13, for the Week 1 season opener against the Buffalo Bills, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. The 24-year-old has the clearest path to fantasy relevance in his new home in Houston since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick in 2023 by the New England Patriots out of LSU. The Texans acquired him in a trade with the Patriots this summer after they learned that second-year wideout Jayden Higgins (knee) would miss the entire 2026 season. Boutte, who has developed chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud quickly, is expected to serve as the team's WR2 behind Nico Collins despite limited time to learn the offense in training camp. In three seasons with the Pats, Boutte recorded 78 catches on 121 targets for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns, with six of his scores coming in 14 regular-season games in 2025. Boutte is rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues currently, but he could quickly become a popular waiver-wire target if he lights up the box score early on for Houston.

12 hours ago

Dalton Schultz • TE • Texans

Dalton Schultz a Strong PPR Streamer for Week 1

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is one of the easier waiver-wire answers if you need help at tight end for Week 1. He caught a career-high 82 passes on 106 targets last season, and the Texans are already down two receivers before facing Buffalo. Jayden Higgins is out for the year after tearing his ACL, while Tank Dell will begin the season on injured reserve and cannot return until at least Week 5. Houston did trade for Kayshon Boutte, and Nico Collins remains the clear top target. Still, Schultz does not need a huge role change to matter in PPR. He already saw 106 targets last year, and RotoBaller's current Week 1 waiver column has him rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues. The three touchdowns from 2025 are a reminder that the ceiling can be frustrating, especially in non-PPR formats. If you drafted the position late and are already looking around, Schultz is an easy enough player to use Sunday.

12 hours ago

Dalton Schultz • TE • Texans

Dalton Schultz has Path to No. 2 Receiving Role

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year professional career. This past season, Schultz recorded a career-high 82 receptions with 777 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. The 30-year-old saw a career-high 106 targets, and he actually might be able to top that this upcoming season. The Texans did little to improve this receiving room outside of adding wideout Kayshon Boutte. Nico Collins is the No. 1 option in this offense, but the No. 2 job is up for grabs right now. Schultz showed last season that he's capable of being a top-10 player at his position. Given the lack of viable options, Schultz could become the No. 2 option in the passing game in 2026.

3 days ago

Kayshon Boutte • WR • Texans

Kayshon Boutte Developing Chemistry With New QB

Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said he has been working every day to build chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud after he was acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots, according to Cole Thompson of Texans Wire. "Big playmaking ability. Whether it's short routes, mid-routes, deep routes, go ball, I'm going to always build that trust every day with C.J. [Stroud]," Boutte said when asked about what he brings to Houston's offense. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder by New England in 2023 from LSU was buried on the Pats' WR depth chart this summer after offseason additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but in Houston, he is expected to operate as the WR2 behind Nico Collins after Jayden Higgins (knee) was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL. Boutte never reached 600 receiving yards in three seasons with the Patriots, but he did score a career-high six times on 33 receptions in 14 regular-season games in 2025. He will have to hold off Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and eventually Tank Dell (knee), but with more opportunities coming in his new digs, Boutte is in play as a late-round flier at WR.

3 days ago

David Montgomery • RB • Texans

David Montgomery a Safe RB2 with Predictable Goal-Line Usage

In his three years with the Detroit Lions, running back David Montgomery finished no lower than the RB27, twice cracking the top 20 despite sharing a backfield with one of the league's most dynamic players in three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs. Following an offseason trade to the Houston Texans, the eighth-year veteran finds himself once more atop the depth chart. While recent buzz has suggested that 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks could still see a prominent role after leading the team with 703 rushing yards as a rookie, Montgomery is expected to see the bulk of the early-down work and the most valuable touches around the goal line. The Texans ranked 29th in the NFL in 2025 by converting fewer than 46% of their red zone trips into touchdowns, while Detroit was a top-eight team in that category, with Montgomery scoring five of his eight touchdowns from within the five-yard line. No longer splitting goal-line work with Gibbs, who has averaged 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons, Montgomery is a safe bet to reach double-digit scores and should provide a predictable weekly floor as RotoBaller's RB20.

3 days ago

Tank Dell • WR • Texans

Tank Dell Restructures his Deal With Houston

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee), who is opening the 2026 season on Injured Reserve, renegotiated the final year of his contract and is due $1.704 million, including a $500,000 signing bonus, $1 million total guaranteed, a salary-cap figure of $1.988 million, and a $1.145 million salary, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Dell was previously due $3.624 million in the final year of his rookie deal with a $3.967 million salary-cap figure. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from the University of Houston tore multiple ligaments in his knee in a devastating injury in 2024 and was unable to return at all last year. Dell was slowly being ramped up in training camp this summer, but now that he's on IR, he will not be eligible to make his 2026 season debut until at least Week 5. Even though fellow wideout Jayden Higgins (knee) is out for the year, Dell remains a question mark this year as far as what his role will be when he is cleared to return. The addition of Kayshon Boutte via trade from the New England Patriots will not help Dell's case for fantasy relevance later this year. For now, Nico Collins, Boutte, and Jaylin Noel will be quarterback C.J. Stroud's top three receivers.

3 days ago

Nico Collins • WR • Texans

Nico Collins a Fantasy Riser as Large Target Share Continues to Increase

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was already viewed as a strong WR1 in fantasy football entering the preseason, but his stock continues to rise now that Jayden Higgins (knee) has been ruled out for the season. Higgins was on the inside track to being the Texans' No. 2 receiver this year, so his season-ending injury creates plenty of vacated targets. Many of those targets will now go to Collins, who was the overall WR8 last year and has been a top-12 fantasy receiver in two of the last three seasons. In 2025, he converted a career-high 120 targets into 71 catches, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns. The quality of play from quarterback C.J. Stroud will determine Collins' exact fantasy outlook and upside, but for now, we'd expect that the loss of Higgins will boost Collins' fantasy stock. As it stands, he has an ADP of 21.8, which corresponds to the second round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 10th receiver off the board.

3 days ago

Kayshon Boutte • WR • Texans

Kayshon Boutte Could Step In as Texans' Second Receiver

Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte landed in a great spot for his fantasy value to potentially take off this year. Last year with the Patriots, Boutte had 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns while helping Drake Maye take the next step in his development. With the team's offseason moves, though, Boutte was in a much smaller role this season and was ultimately traded to the Texans, who have a big need for a second receiver across from Nico Collins. Second-year receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) was lost for the year to a torn ACL this preseason, opening playing time and targets across the field from Collins. With Tank Dell (knee) on IR to start the year and Jaylin Noel (hamstring/finger) battling injury as well, Boutte should have a clear path to a significant role early in the year if he can develop good chemistry with QB C.J. Stroud right away. Boutte is currently the No. 62 WR in RotoBaller's rankings, but he brings intriguing upside in his potentially expanded role with his new team.

4 days ago

Woody Marks • RB • Texans

Woody Marks' Production Upside Could Be Limited in Houston

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks worked his way into the RB1 role in Houston midway through his rookie season and finished the year with 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches across 16 games. However, Houston made a big addition to its running back room over the offseason by acquiring veteran back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions. While Montgomery is now entering his age-29 season, he averaged 4.5 yards per attempt on 158 carries with Detroit last year and is reportedly expected to play a sizable role in the Texans' offense. Montgomery is also a proven weapon as a short-yardage and goal-line back, which could limit Marks' opportunities to score touchdowns. Marks remains an intriguing fantasy piece at the right price for his handcuff appeal and his pass-catching upside, but his redraft stock is falling ahead of 2026.

5 days ago

C.J. Stroud • QB • Texans

C.J. Stroud Unlikely to Open 2026 Season With a New Deal

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is "prepared to play out this season without a new deal," despite the Texans making what they considered a competitive offer, according to several people with knowledge of the situation. The current sentiment is that Stroud will "most likely not end up with a new deal" before Week 1. However, Fowler's understanding is that the Texans are prepared to put Stroud in "what it feels is a strong place among the 12 QBs in the $50 million club." If Stroud bets on himself and has a strong 2026 bounce-back campaign, he can "let an exploding QB market do the work for him." The former second overall pick out of Ohio State had a strong training camp this summer and has plenty of talent around him (even with receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) done for the year), making him a popular rebound candidate as a QB2 with upside for fantasy football purposes. If Stroud does not ink a new deal with Houston before Week 1, he will have plenty of incentive to turn his game around after two straight disappointing seasons.

5 days ago

Jadeveon Clowney • DE • Texans

Jadeveon Clowney Expected to Be Ready for Week 1

Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (hip, ankle) is expected to be ready for Week 1, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Clowney suffered a "minor soft-tissue hip injury" during the preseason and has also battled a mild ankle issue, but it does not appear that either ailment is particularly serious. Across 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, Clowney recorded 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs. The 33-year-old is more of a pass-rush specialist than an every-down player at this point in his career, but he still has the ability to be a highly impactful defender when healthy. With star edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter ahead of Clowney on the depth chart, Houston should be able to limit Clowney's workload throughout the year.

6 days ago

C.J. Stroud • QB • Texans

Texans Have Had "Productive Talks" With C.J. Stroud on Extension

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Tuesday that he has had "productive talks" with quarterback C.J. Stroud on a potential long-term contract extension, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Caserio said that if nothing gets done before the start of the 2026 regular season, then something will likely be worked out next offseason. According to a source, no deal is imminent. The 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 from Ohio State came out swinging as a rookie and threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 15 regular-season starts. He regressed in each of the last two seasons, though, and threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season games in 2025 before falling apart in the playoffs. Stroud still has the ability to bounce back to his rookie production, but he will need Houston's supporting cast to step up around him, mainly the offensive line. Receiver Jayden Higgins' season-ending knee injury did not help matters. Fantasy managers should treat Stroud as a low-end QB2 option with upside as he looks to prove to the Texans that he is worth a big contract extension next offseason.

6 days ago

Tank Dell • WR • Texans

Texans GM Says Tank Dell is Close to Return

After a 20-month recovery from the gruesome knee injury that ended his 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was placed on Injured Reserve with a designation to return to begin the 2026 season. On Tuesday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio provided an update, telling reporters, "He's close; he's not quite there. He's closer than he was during training camp." Dell will miss at least the first four games of the season, but can be activated as early as Week 5, ahead of a divisional clash with the Titans. A third-round pick in 2023, Dell demonstrated an immediate connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud to begin his career, but after a prolonged absence, it is fair to question what his role might look like upon his long-awaited return. The 26-year-old is RotoBaller's WR125 and worthy of final-round consideration in leagues with an IR slot.

6 days ago

David Montgomery • RB • Texans

David Montgomery Could Be a Steal in Texans Offense

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery looks like a mid-tier running back draft candidate but has the potential to really reward his drafters this season. Coming over in the offseason from Detroit where he split time with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery has the ability to take over the Texans lead rushing role. The Texans do have Woody Marks as a backup running back who will likely take away some of Montgomery's carries and passing down work but Montgomery looks locked and loaded as the lead back. NFL.com's Kevin Patra, did an article where he picked one new Pro-Bowler from each AFC team and listed Montgomery as his candidate for the Texans, saying, "The 29-year-old is in line for a significant workload increase in Houston, and his ability to punch in scores from short range will be a boon to the offense."

6 days ago

Tank Dell • WR • Texans

Tank Dell Officially Starting the Season on Injured Reserve

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) has been placed on injured reserve to open the regular season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Dell is working his way back from a complicated knee injury, including a torn ACL, torn MCL, torn LCL, and a dislocated kneecap. He suffered the injury 18+ months ago, but due to the severity of the injury and the lengthy recovery process, he's still not ready to play. The first bit of good news is that he'll be eligible to return after Week 4, so we should expect to see him back on the field at some point this season. The other good news is that he has been involved in some team drills, so he's getting closer to reintegrating into practice. The Texans would love to get Dell back as soon as possible; they recently lost Jayden Higgins (knee) to season-ending IR, leaving Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte in competition to start opposite Nico Collins.

Aug 30

Brevin Jordan • TE • Texans

Brevin Jordan Released by the Texans

The Houston Texans have released tight end Brevin Jordan (knee), according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Jordan hasn't played in a regular-season game since Week 2 of the 2024 season due to a complicated knee injury, including an ACL tear and a torn patellar tendon. He also suffered a new knee injury earlier this month that kept him out of training camp practices and preseason games. Jordan will go down as a big "what-if" story, as he possessed plenty of upside coming out of college. During his final season at Miami in 2020, he caught 38 passes for 576 yards and seven touchdowns despite playing in just eight games. He peaked as a rookie in 2021 with 178 yards and three touchdowns, but he has never finished higher than TE44 in a single fantasy football season. Now 26, Jordan will look to land somewhere else for his sixth year in the NFL.

Aug 30

Nico Collins • WR • Texans

Nico Collins' Price Tag Falls in Line with Ranking for 2026

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is coming off a remarkable 2025 season that saw him post the best fantasy finish of his career as the overall WR8 in PPR leagues. It was a shaky year for the Texans and C.J. Stroud, but that didn't stop Collins from totaling 71 catches, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns. Last season, he didn't have to share any targets with Tank Dell (knee), but he did share some volume with Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel. This year is mostly similar, with the main difference being that Higgins is done for the year with a knee injury and Dell should return midseason. Because of Higgins' injury, the Texans also went out and added Kayshon Boutte via trade. By themselves, none of Dell, Noel, or Boutte should be a major threat to Collins' volume and production, but collectively, it's starting to look like a fair number of mouths to feed. Now that fantasy draft season is in full swing, Collins has an ADP of 23.8 (WR9), while RotoBaller has him ranked as the WR10 for redraft leagues.

Aug 30

Dalton Schultz • TE • Texans

Dalton Schultz Back in the Late-Round Conversation

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz has a clearer path to useful volume after injuries reshaped the team's receiving corps late in camp. Schultz already handled a major role last season, setting career highs with 82 catches on 106 targets for 777 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. His 106 targets ranked second on Houston behind Nico Collins. Jayden Higgins is now out for the season with a torn ACL, while Tank Dell's return from a major knee injury remains uncertain entering Week 1. Houston has added Kayshon Boutte and signed veteran receivers Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, so those vacated targets will not simply funnel to Schultz. The tight end room is deeper, too, after the Texans signed Foster Moreau and used the 59th overall pick on Marlin Klein. Schultz remains the established TE1, though, and Houston gave him a contract extension in March. RotoBaller currently ranks him TE24 in half-PPR. Another 106-target season is far from guaranteed, but the late changes around him have improved his chances of remaining a useful late-round option in redraft leagues.

Aug 28

David Montgomery • RB • Texans

David Montgomery Carries Strong RB2 Appeal

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery has strengthened his redraft outlook as the regular season approaches. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has called Montgomery a "number one back," and Houston has spent much of camp managing the veteran's workload to keep him fresh. When the Texans turned him loose during an August 18 joint practice with Las Vegas, team analyst John Harris called Montgomery the story of the day after he repeatedly found room between the tackles and broke into the second level. The 29-year-old is coming off a career-low 158 carries with Detroit, but he still produced 716 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Woody Marks remains a real part of the backfield after rushing for 703 yards as a rookie, and his receiving ability should earn him passing-down work. Nothing from camp suggests Montgomery has lost the primary rushing role, though, and he was still taking first-team carries during Houston's final joint practice with Carolina. RotoBaller currently ranks him RB21. With the Texans clearly valuing his physical running style, Montgomery looks increasingly secure as a redraft RB2 with strong touchdown upside.

Aug 28

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