Every NFL offseason, it seems the Houston Texans make a move for a running back who is trending in the wrong direction with his production. Two offseasons ago, it was Joe Mixon after a poor divorce in Cincinnati. He actually was dominant in his first season with Houston, only to follow that up with not playing a single game this season. This past offseason, it was an old Nick Chubb on a cheap deal, which amounted to only 506 yards on the ground in 15 games. This offseason, it is a trade for David Montgomery.
It is clear that the Texans want to emphasize running the football, and that is what they want their identity to be. 29-year-old back David Montgomery embodies physicality, and if he is healthy, he is someone who can be extremely effective in the run game. A;ebit he shared a backfield with arguably one of the best backs in the league, he still managed to have back-to-back 700-yard rushing seasons and a 1k rushing season in his first season in Detroit.
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Montgomery should be a move that pans out for the Texans and a move that helps them create a thunder and lightning combination of their own. Last season, Woody Marks did his best Joe Mixon impression, and he took on the role of the starting back. He had a pretty solid season last year, given the circumstances. The former Trojan and 4th round draft pick had 703 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns in 16 games last season for Houston. He saved his best game of the season for the Texans’ first-round playoff win vs the Steelers, where he had 112 yards rushing and a touchdown.
It is clear the Texans wanted more at the running back position, but bringing in Montgomery will take a lot of pressure off Marks and allow him to get to a role more suitable for him. Marks is more dangerous as a 3rd down back and a back with fresh legs. Veteran David Montgomery will provide him with that, and both backs should instantly become one of the top running back duos in the league.
The Texans want to have a run game that can win them football games and perfectly complement their elite defense. With David Montgomery and Woody Marks sharing the backfield, they very well could have that now. The next step to that is improving the offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Woody Marks and David Montgomery can become a top running back duo
