When Joe Mixon was placed on the NFI list with a foot issue during the NFL Preseason, the Houston Texans’ early season outlook took a significant nosedive. The team began the campaign 0-3 with a noticeable lack of run game as Nick Chubb served as the lead running back, but a rookie sleeper laid just under the surface. In Week 4, Woody Marks finally saw his chance to shine and responded with a multi-touchdown game to power his team to its first win of the season.
After the strong showing, the halfback’s name belongs on the fantasy football radar moving forward. Is Woody Marks the top fantasy waiver-wire add of Week 5?
Analysis
The answer to the above question remains a resounding, emphatic, enthusiastic… YES! Despite the Texans’ early season struggles, there’s much to like about the profile Marks brings to the picture in multiple facets of the game. As far as fantasy football is concerned as well, he absolutely brings more upside than nearly anyone else players can find on the waiver wire entering Week 5.
While maybe not the biggest name to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft, the rookie remains one to watch moving forward. Houston traded future draft capital, including a third-round pick, to move up into the fourth round and select Marks this past April. A five-year collegiate player, he spent four seasons with Mississippi State before transferring to USC last season. He produced 1,133 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 198 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per attempt. At 5-foot-10 and 208 pounds, he brings solid size to the backfield and ran a 4.54 40-yard dash. While not a speedster with a ton of home-run ability, Marks does run with fluidity and can hit the hole in a hurry.
He does more than just run, though. Marks is actually a talented receiving back and hauled in 47 passes for 321 yards during his USC campaign, and he caught a staggering 261 passes throughout his entire collegiate career. With soft hands, the upside for PPR fantasy football formats remains quite high. Plus, his excellent pass-protection skills make it easy justify putting the rookie on the field regardless of situation.
The Texans discovered that rather quickly. After progression in his snap count from 11% in Week 1 to 27% in Week 2, he cracked 48% in Week 3 with six rush attempts and two targets. His performance over the first few weeks and the regression of Nick Chubb earned Marks a 56% snap share against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. He handled 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and garnered five targets as well, catching four for 50 yards and another score. Yes, the matchup came against a poor defense, but Marks finished the day with 119 scrimmage yards, two scores, and 27.9 PPR points to his name. How’s that for a breakout?
On Monday following the Week 4 outburst, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he was impressed with how Marks performed and looks forward to seeing how much more work the rookie can handle. To top it off, another report stated Mixon remains without a timetable to return, fully setting the table for the rookie fourth-rounder to maintain the lead-back role in Houston’s backfield.
The stage is set for Marks to truly seize the starting job, and with the skill set of a complete running back, he can certainly perform given the volume. Chubb may vulture some touchdowns here and there and the run blocking from the offensive line doesn’t exactly work in the team’s favor, but the pass-catching chops and obvious talent create a very intriguing player for fantasy football. If the Texans’ offense can find its form following a 27-0 victory in a get-right game, the lead runner here can absolutely contribute in fantasy lineups. Many sharp managers have likely already stashed the rookie prior to the Week 5 waiver cycle, but if Marks is still available in your league, run and grab him ASAP.
