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Welcome to Houston Woody Marks

I think everyone has covered the positives on Marks. And I agree that Marks is a 3rd down back. He should replace Dare.

What Marks is not is a RB that can spell Mixon and run the ball between the tackles. He doesn't have power and often goes down at first contact. Doesn't have the long speed to make plays downfield. Marks has a career 5.9 yards/reception with 5 career TDs on 262 catches. There's nothing that pops with Marks, there's nothing about Marks that will scare an NFL defense and at age 25 there's not a lot of upside left.

I don't hate Marks. He can have a role on the Texans. But I believe there were opportunities in this draft to take a competent RB2 that could eventually replace Mixon. The Texans didn't get that player.
 
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Porky said:
I like the player @beerlover turned me on to him. BL was crowing about him, I did some DD, amd liked him.

I think they value his pass catching ability most. This is another effort to add weapons to CJ’s arsenal. Good job on that front.

What sours me on this pick is the bounty to make this trade. The trade is a separate eval form the player. If he is all that and a bag of chips…all will be forgiven. But he needs to hit. And I think he will. Solid B for the player…D+ on the trade.. C overall.
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Very fair assessment. Still feel good about next year's draft with the 1, two 2s, a 3, and two 4s, though.
 
Porky said:
I like the player @beerlover turned me on to him. BL was crowing about him, I did some DD, amd liked him.

I think they value his pass catching ability most. This is another effort to add weapons to CJ’s arsenal. Good job on that front.

What sours me on this pick is the bounty to make this trade. The trade is a separate eval form the player. If he is all that and a bag of chips…all will be forgiven. But he needs to hit. And I think he will. Solid B for the player…D+ on the trade.. C overall.
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I think this pick shows how much they wanted the pass catching back skillset in this offense like you said. He was rated by every draft guru I could find top 3 receiving back in class, some saying top overall for this particular skillset.

James White went in the same range with a similar physical profile, that’s the comp to him and the hope you can get him to be.

As far as the trade, the cost spent was fair value. 3rd round this year is worth a 4th next year. And timing of trade was justified by next team taking the position right after the pick.

I don’t get wrapped up in “my grades” on players. I liked Jaylin Smith and mocked him to the Texans 7th round in my final mock draft because that’s where I saw some mocks having him go. But I also saw others that rated him a 3-4 range guy. I still liked the pick when he went 3rd round because I liked the player and thought he’s a fit for what DeMeco wants on defense and the team needs depth at CB and he provides that with inside/outside versatility.

I’m not arrogant enough to believe “my grades” are better than an NFL team’s with infinitely more time/resources. Especially when comparing “my board” to the Texans who have assembled one of the most talented rosters in the league under Caserio.

I mocked Lequint Allen to fill this role at 5.166… I did not mock Marks in that spot because I didn’t think he’d fall that far. And I was right that one time *pats self on back*.
 
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Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
 
Porky said:
Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
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I'm underwhelmed by next year's rb class at first glance. Always a chance that guys come out of nowhere or test better than expected. I'm glad they got a back that they really liked out of this awesome class but would've loved someone like Henderson or Judkins. But then they probably would've missed out on Higgins or someone else i love. You can't have everything unfortunately. I probably would've taken Higgins and then traded to go back up from 58 to take one of the Ohio State rbs even if the price was steep.
 
Porky said:
Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
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We know how DeMeco feels about Pierce. Hopefully the new scheme gives us rookie Pierce.
 
If we are going with speciality backs, give me lightening. We have thunder with Mixon and at times…Pierce. Marks would be a…hopefully…decent 3rd down back who specializes in pass catching, but we don’t have a guy like Tuten…a home run waiting to happen.
 
Woody is an intriguing pick now that I’ve had a chance to watch him a bit.

Good vision, that one cut burst and he can catch well.

Someone said he can block reasonably well, and that should come in handy with this line!

Definitely not a bludgeon back and I wonder how his speed matches against NFL LB’s.

Hopefully the new offensive scheme creates mismatches when he’s in, if we can move the chains on 3rd down I think next years 3rd will have been worth it.
 
Porky said:
If we are going with speciality backs, give me lightening. We have thunder with Mixon and at times…Pierce. Marks would be a…hopefully…decent 3rd down back who specializes in pass catching, but we don’t have a guy like Tuten…a home run waiting to happen.
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Still tootin the Tuten?
 
Porky said:
Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
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Hopefully our new coaching scheme stops working with that "primary" RB paradigm & find a way to get other RBs involved without disrupting the flow of the game.
 
thunderkyss said:
Hopefully our new coaching scheme stops working with that "primary" RB paradigm & find a way to get other RBs involved without disrupting the flow of the game.
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I’d love to see a committee used efficiently. If Woody is on the field I don’t want that to be a “tell” that it’s a pass like it was with Dare. Mix in some RB draws to keep defenses on their toes.
 
DBCooper said:
Woody is an intriguing pick now that I’ve had a chance to watch him a bit.

Good vision, that one cut burst and he can catch well.

Someone said he can block reasonably well, and that should come in handy with this line!

Definitely not a bludgeon back and I wonder how his speed matches against NFL LB’s.

Hopefully the new offensive scheme creates mismatches when he’s in, if we can move the chains on 3rd down I think next years 3rd will have been worth it.
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The only odd issue I have seen in about 3hrs of film is he can't gear down well. And when he tries to go 60 to zero he almost stops or can't make the cut and is taken down. With coaching I hope that he can fix that. Seeing he has the ability to be a 3 down RB
 
SnakeEyes said:
The only odd issue I have seen in about 3hrs of film is he can't gear down well. And when he tries to go 60 to zero he almost stops or can't make the cut and is taken down. With coaching I hope that he can fix that. Seeing he has the ability to be a 3 down RB
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Maybe Tank can help with that.
 
Porky said:
Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
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I somewhat disagree with Lucky on Marks ability to run between the tackles. He looked good around the goal line running in short yardage at USC. Think James White

If Mixon goes down, Marks is capable of giving 15 quality carries a game. Pierce can handle the rest.
 
steelbtexan said:
I somewhat disagree with Lucky on Marks ability to run between the tackles. He looked good around the goal line running in short yardage at USC. Think James White

If Mixon goes down, Marks is capable of giving 15 quality carries a game. Pierce can handle the rest.
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He can run between the tackles. He is 5' 10 (and change) and 214lbs. He just didn't have the best OL in school or playbook. Our OL we don't know yet, playbook should be better. Less we see of Pierce the better past as a PR/KR. The past 2 years have been useless. We should have tried to trade him and I like him
 
DBCooper said:
Maybe Tank can help with that.
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I think the players and staff will help. This kid could very well be the heir to Mixon if he catches on to most stuff in TC. Then let him learn, play 10 plays or something a game to spell Mixon. And let him eat in 2026!
 
zshawn10 said:
Something John Harris brought up that makes a lot of sense. Last season, especially once Diggs went down, our ability to make quick, short passes for easy yards basically disappeared. So far this offseason, we’ve signed Christian Kirk, who excels at those sorts of routes, drafted Jaylin Noel, who is very similarly skilled, and now Woody Marx, an elite receiving back prospect. Not only are we getting more weapons for Stroud, we’re clearly trying to give Stroud options early in the down so that he doesn’t have to just sit back there waiting to see if someone can get open downfield before the pressure reaches him.
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Thank you for this post. Woody Marks will be referred to as "Richard Marx" if he doesn't play well. This is why you put in the extra hours on TT.

Sweech said:
Future 3rd down back for whenever Dare leaves the team.

Really really wanted Cam Skattebo who was already gone by then but I can always support this type of team building.

Also didn’t love Nick trading a 3rd next year but sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad with wheeler dealer Nick and I have to say it’s mostly good.
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Does anyone else think this means they're going to cut Dare if Marks shows that he can fill the role? Is Pearce toast? Would they carry 4 RBs? Especially if one (Dare) is an older, more expensive, not-as-good version of another one (Marks)? Of course Marks would have to show that he can actually play.
 
Lucky said:
I think everyone has covered the positives on Marks. And I agree that Marks is a 3rd down back. He should replace Dare.

What Marks is not is a RB that can spell Mixon and run the ball between the tackles. He doesn't have power and often goes down at first contact. Doesn't have the long speed to make plays downfield. Marks has a career 5.9 yards/reception with 5 career TDs on 262 catches. There's nothing that pops with Marks, there's nothing about Marks that will scare an NFL defense and at age 25 there's not a lot of upside left.

I don't hate Marks. He can have a role on the Texans. But I believe there were opportunities in this draft to take a competent RB2 that could eventually replace Mixon. The Texans didn't get that player.
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Pretty much where I'm at.

We're putting a lot of eggs in the basket that assumes Mixon stays healthy or suddenly Pierce returns to 2022 Pierce in Nick Caley's system.

This pick really looks like the old Patriots building their RB rooms with a very clear RB3 pass catcher. The main difference though is the Patriots were always able to grab a platoon of other RBs who simply got the job done with the carries given even if they weren't star level talents. We've never really been able to do that.
 
Porky said:
Lucky makes a really good point. I like the player for what they were after, but if Mixon goes down, we have no answer other than Pierce. Next year, I’d really like them to find a true all around back that can be Mixons understudy and eventually be his replacement.
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Mark my words, while nobody wants to acknowledge British Brooks as a RB I think he will stand out in camp and in preseason and will make Pierce an afterthought. I will be happy to revisit this post and admit I am wrong if it turns out that I am.
 
Sweech said:
Pretty much where I'm at.

We're putting a lot of eggs in the basket that assumes Mixon stays healthy or suddenly Pierce returns to 2022 Pierce in Nick Caley's system.

This pick really looks like the old Patriots building their RB rooms with a very clear RB3 pass catcher. The main difference though is the Patriots were always able to grab a platoon of other RBs who simply got the job done with the carries given even if they weren't star level talents. We've never really been able to do that.
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I thought Pierce looked pretty good in limited action. Almost got 200 yards against the Tacks. His skillset should fit Caley's offense well. Also Marks is capable of carrying the ball 15 times a game.
 
steelbtexan said:
I thought Pierce looked pretty good in limited action. Almost got 200 yards against the Tacks. His skillset should fit Caley's offense well. Also Marks is capable of carrying the ball 15 times a game.
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Pierce never really gave me anything to properly evaluate from last season. It was typically carries in an already decided game or 1 carry here or there that's pretty hard to make a judgment call on a player. Maybe he's improved, maybe he hasn't but overall I wouldn't be able to make that call either way.

If Marks could actually be a guy you can start were Mixon to get injured then I'm over the moon with the pick. As is I thought with how deep this class was there was an opportunity to grab that type of back that's not available most years that we didn't jump on. Hopefully Marks can be that level of player though.
 
Porky said:
If we are going with speciality backs, give me lightening. We have thunder with Mixon and at times…Pierce. Marks would be a…hopefully…decent 3rd down back who specializes in pass catching, but we don’t have a guy like Tuten…a home run waiting to happen.
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That's who I wanted or even Breshard Smith who is an ex wr and explosive
 
I like Marks.

I think he has really good vision and he reminds me of Arian the way he burst out of his cuts and can change direction without losing much speed.

He doesnt break many tackles, doesnt make people miss in the open field...doesnt run away from people in the open field, but i wouldnt say hes slow.

I like him a lot. I think there were other backs id have gone after, but I do think think he could be a decent starter at some point.
 
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xtruroyaltyx said:
I like Marks.

I think he has really good vision and he reminds me of Arian the way he burst out of his cuts and can change direction without losing much speed.

He doesnt break many tackles, doesnt make people moss in the open field...does run away from people in the open field, but i wouldnt say hes slow.

I like him a lot. I think there were other backs id have gone after, but I do think think he could be a decent starter at some point.
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I don't understand why anyone would draft him over DJ Giddens. There isn't any trait at which Marks is better than Giddens. Giddens is bigger,faster, more explosive. He's a 3 down back who by the way has 60 catches at 10 ypc vs 6ypc for Mark's. Instead of complimentary back to Mixon, they should've drafted his replacement who can play now and replace next yr. The easiest position to draft and they seemingly can't get it right. Meanwhile, the Colts have Giddens and Taylor.
 
Sweech said:
Pierce never really gave me anything to properly evaluate from last season. It was typically carries in an already decided game or 1 carry here or there that's pretty hard to make a judgment call on a player. Maybe he's improved, maybe he hasn't but overall I wouldn't be able to make that call either way.

If Marks could actually be a guy you can start were Mixon to get injured then I'm over the moon with the pick. As is I thought with how deep this class was there was an opportunity to grab that type of back that's not available most years that we didn't jump on. Hopefully Marks can be that level of player though.
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The Pierce made me still believe in him after the Titans games.
 
SnakeEyes said:
6' 8" 250 TE Mason Tharp invited to TC. This kid is a monster. He could bulk up and play OL or DL 😆 if TE doesn't work

houseofhouston.com

Texans Invite Mammoth-Sized Rookie Weapon to Tryouts

The Houston Texans entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear plan to improve an offense that ranked just 19th in yards per play (5.2) despite having rising quarte
houseofhouston.com houseofhouston.com

My bad, please move to UDFA thread
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Just now saw your post. I also had seen an article on Tharp and put it in the udfa thread.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
I like Marks.

I think he has really good vision and he reminds me of Arian the way he burst out of his cuts and can change direction without losing much speed.

He doesnt break many tackles, doesnt make people miss in the open field...doesnt run away from people in the open field, but i wouldnt say hes slow.

I like him a lot. I think there were other backs id have gone after, but I do think think he could be a decent starter at some point.
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:spit: after reading your post, I had to clean the screen of my cell phone! He doesn't break tackles, doesn't run away from people in the open field , can't make people miss and you don't think he's slow but you like him!

Maybe you could add what you do like that makes you think he could be a starter one day?
 
badboy said:
:spit: after reading your post, I had to clean the screen of my cell phone! He doesn't break tackles, doesn't run away from people in the open field , can't make people miss and you don't think he's slow but you like him!

Maybe you could add what you do like that makes you think he could be a starter one day?
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Did you like James White?

White and Marks are comparable. Marks doesn't have long speed but he's quick and as fast as anybody for 40-50 yds. Where did this he doesn't break tackles or make peoople miss stuff come from? Because I dont find this to be the case.
 
steelbtexan said:
Did you like James White?

White and Marks are comparable. Marks doesn't have long speed but he's quick and as fast as anybody for 40-50 yds. Where did this he doesn't break tackles or make peoople miss stuff come from? Because I dont find this to be the case.
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Post 92.
 
Lucky said:
I think everyone has covered the positives on Marks. And I agree that Marks is a 3rd down back. He should replace Dare.

What Marks is not is a RB that can spell Mixon and run the ball between the tackles. He doesn't have power and often goes down at first contact. Doesn't have the long speed to make plays downfield. Marks has a career 5.9 yards/reception with 5 career TDs on 262 catches. There's nothing that pops with Marks, there's nothing about Marks that will scare an NFL defense and at age 25 there's not a lot of upside left.

I don't hate Marks. He can have a role on the Texans. But I believe there were opportunities in this draft to take a competent RB2 that could eventually replace Mixon. The Texans didn't get that player.
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Seems to me the Texans didn’t draft Marks to replace Mixon. If so they would have drafted a runner, not a RB with the receiver skills they seem to relish. From what I’ve read the Texans failed too many 3rd and short situations last year especially in the red zone. Perhaps they view Woody Jo as a player that will make them less predictable in those situations. I dont know how he will turn out and neither does anyone else but DR and NC seemed more excited about him than the others and obviously didn’t want to lose him in particular. Hopefully Caley has something under his sleeve.
 
I agree with Lee on this. Trading up for a specialty guy that doesn’t project as a top flight starter is dumb. Not as dumb as the guy ahead of him…Smith who has arms the length of a 10 year old girl, but I digress. First 3 picks great….last several picks good other than the QB. Smith amd Marks…l fail to grasp them, or the need to trade up for either one.
 
Dejaview said:
Seems to me the Texans didn’t draft Marks to replace Mixon. If so they would have drafted a runner, not a RB with the receiver skills they seem to relish. From what I’ve read the Texans failed too many 3rd and short situations last year especially in the red zone. Perhaps they view Woody Jo as a player that will make them less predictable in those situations. I dont know how he will turn out and neither does anyone else but DR and NC seemed more excited about him than the others and obviously didn’t want to lose him in particular. Hopefully Caley has something under his sleeve.
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I don’t have the intricate football knowledge that this board does ( el guapos). There is a TE-Hback. Is there a FB-Hback these days?
 
thunderkyss said:
We're talking about 4th round here. Most of them won't likely be starters on good teams.
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this board seems stuck on Marks not being a good replacement for an injured Mixon and is just an ordinary specialty FB that came at a ridiculous price. TC hasn’t started so it’s anyone’s guess. Mine is that Caley sat down with NC and DR to discuss his offense. He gave them his version of a FB in the O and the attributes for that position. After watching a ton of film Marks fit the bill. Nobody else did. Since he was taken in the fourth and not a later round they must really want the player for this new Caley position. If they wanted a Mixon backup they could have used that 3rd to perhaps move up to take a Mixon prototype. Instead they used it for a FB and one they wanted above all others. They wanted him bad enough to use that 3rd. I just don’t see any other reason other than they have defined a role that none of the other FB’s could fill in later rounds at no extra cost. And that was an abnormal high five and back pounding dance between NC and DR afterwards the pick was announced.
 
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thunderkyss said:
We're talking about 4th round here. Most of them won't likely be starters on good teams.
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Thanks for making my point. You are correct, he won't start. So why are you giving up next year's 3rd rounder to pick a 3rd down back when you have other guys available like Brashard Smith that are as good or better and were around in the 6th round.

I'm not too upset about the player. I actually see something he can bring...but there was zero reason to trade up. I like a guy willing to make trades...but not for no reason and not using a valuable day two pick to choose a guy that's a specialty player and who is unlikely to ever be more than a 3rd down piece. So, are y'all telling me the likes of Woody Marks is so good he is worth two draft picks? Ya'll got some splaining to do!

This is John Metchie again. Trade up for a guy for zero reason for a guy that's not special. Only trade up for a special player. RB's are a dime a dozen. CB's with the skills of Smith can be had well into day three. And Smith is an even more prime example of trading up for no reason whatsoever. Nick likes to make trades just to make them. Didn't he learn his lesson with guys like Metchie? Apparently, the answer is no.
 
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