The NFL season is quickly approaching, and fantasy drafts are in full swing. At DraftKings, you can play an array of different season-long fantasy contests.
This is a look at the fantasy value of all the players in the Houston Texans’ backfield.
Houston Texans Backfield
The Texans have won a postseason game in each of C.J. Stroud’s first two seasons in the NFL. They are hoping to keep up their dominance of the AFC South, while improving in the AFC playoffs. The addition of Joe Mixon last season added a new element to their offense, but they had brutal luck with injuries at wide receiver. They couldn’t keep a healthy receiving core, and Mixon missed a couple of games himself. However, it was a good season overall for Mixon, finishing ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
There is now growing concern over a foot injury that Mixon suffered this offseason. He is expected to miss the rest of training camp and preseason, and his status for Week 1 is in doubt. With the Texans’ sights set on the postseason, they are unlikely to rush Mixon for Week 1. That means new signing Nick Chubb could be in line to start Week 1. Chubb was once one of the best running backs in the league, but only played 10 games over the past two seasons due to a major knee injury. Chubb didn’t look like his old self when he returned for Cleveland last year, but maybe after a full offseason, he still has some quality play left in him.
Behind Chubb, the Texans also have Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale. Last season, Pierce was the RB2 and rushed for 176 yards in the season finale against the Titans when the starters were resting. Ogunbowale was used as a weapon in the passing game early in the regular season, but his role dissipated as the season went on. If Mixon ends up missing extended time, Ogunbowale could be used in the passing game again. Pierce had just two catches all of last season, and Chubb only caught five passes. That means Ogunbowale will be the primary receiver out of the backfield.
Running Back Handcuff: Nick Chubb
When Mixon is healthy, he will get a large majority of the carries. However, the Texans will want to keep him healthy for a playoff push. That means there will be a dose of Chubb sprinkled in, along with some targets for Ogunbowale in the passing game. If Mixon does start the season on the sideline, Chubb will be the primary back with Pierce backing him and Ogunbowale still in that passing-downs role. That makes Chubb the necessary handcuff for Mixon fantasy owners.
Mixon could miss the start of the season, and with a foot injury like that, it’s something that could become an issue again throughout the season. Mixon only played 14 games last year, and if he starts this season with injury issues, there could be a lot of chances for Chubb to not just be a backup, but get a big bulk of the action. Pierce and Ogunbowale could see decent usage to start the season if Mixon is out, but if Mixon and Chubb are both healthy, it’s hard to see either of them getting enough touches to be viable fantasy options. With the looming injury concerns, any Mixon fantasy owner should secure the handcuff of Chubb.
