DeMeco Ryans explains Texans' selection of USC RB Woody Marks on Day 3
Running back wasn't the top offensive need for the Houston Texans in this year's draft, but it was worth dicussing in draft meetings leading up to the three-day weekend.
Joe Mixon returned to Pro Bowl form after rushing for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Texans. After inking a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, he's locked in with the team through at least 2026 and plans to remain a fixture in the ground game.
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But the Texans need a serviceable No. 2 option past 2025. Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale are in contract seasons and despite their roles last season, neither should be trusted as the focal secondary option. Pierce had two 100-yard rushing performances and then averaged less than 30 yards per contest the rest of the season.
Ogunbowale scored a 1-yard touchdown reception as time expired in Week 4 to beat the Jaguars, but he was also limited as a threat outside of a few plays.
Does this mean USC running back Woody Marks should take over as the new No. 2? Probably not at first, but given his pedigree as a pass-catching threat, it's hard to imagine that the Texans traded away a 2026 third-round pick to move up on Day 3 with the intentions of him sitting as RB No. 4.
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"We really like Woody and what he's able to provide," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said following the draft. "Really like him out of the backfield catching the football. Really great hands. Really has that ability to make guys miss at the line of scrimmage and the ability to play behind his pads, play physical. So, like the addition of him to our running back room.'
A native of Atlanta, Marks began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his final season in 2024. As a freshman, he became a fixture in Mike Leach's air raid offense, recording a record-setting 60 receptions to go along with 70 carries for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Marks continued to be a threat on the ground and through the air out of the backfield the next three seasons in Starkville, posting 1,883 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns along with 1,225 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in four years. After the firing of Zach Arnett, he elected to leave for the Big Ten and join forces with another pass-heavy offense under Lincoln Riley.
The 2024 campaign marked the first breakout campaign where Marks became a legit force in an offense. With the Trojans, he posted a career-high 1,133 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns while adding 321 yards as a receiving threat. Marks earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors for the campaign.
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Getting both a physical runner and a qualified receiving threat could be a massive long-term addition for the Texans' offense this fall. Mixon should still average over 200 carries this season, but a stellar showcase from Marks in spring might force Ryans and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley to design plays meant for the 24-year-old target as Houston looks to return to the postseason.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: DeMeco Ryans explains Texans' selection of USC RB Woody Marks on Day 3
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