The Houston Texans have made one of the most impactful offensive moves of the offseason, acquiring veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round selection.
With Houston expected to move on from Joe Mixon following an injury-plagued 2025 season, the Texans quickly secured a proven veteran to stabilize the backfield. Montgomery arrives after three seasons in Detroit, where his role steadily declined behind emerging superstar Jahmyr Gibbs.
Montgomery finished the 2025 season with 158 carries for 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 192 receiving yards across 17 games. While still productive near the goal line, his usage dropped significantly late in the season as Gibbs fully took control of the Lions’ offense.
Now, Montgomery lands in Houston alongside second-year running back Woody Marks, immediately reshaping fantasy football outlooks across both teams.
Fantasy Football Impact of the Move
From a fantasy perspective, this trade creates clear ripple effects
David Montgomery — Stock Down
While Montgomery likely sees an increase in early-down opportunities compared to his reduced role in Detroit, the offensive environment in Houston presents concerns. The Texans ranked near the bottom of the league in run-block win rate during the 2025 season, finishing last in the NFL, which directly impacts a downhill runner who relies on efficiency near the goal line.
Montgomery’s fantasy value has increasingly become touchdown-dependent. His eight rushing scores last season carried much of his weekly usability despite modest yardage totals. Behind a struggling run-blocking unit, those scoring chances become far less reliable.
Expect Montgomery to settle into a volume-based role featuring roughly 12–16 carries per game, making him more of a standard or half-PPR FLEX option rather than a locked-in RB2 entering 2026 drafts.
Woody Marks — Biggest Fantasy Loser
Marks handled significant volume as a rookie, posting 703 rushing yards and contributing 24 receptions with three receiving touchdowns. However, much of his fantasy usefulness came from opportunity rather than elite efficiency, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.
Montgomery’s arrival directly threatens the most valuable touches in fantasy football: red-zone and goal-line carries. Houston didn’t trade for Montgomery to be a complementary piece; they acquired him to close drives and handle physical rushing situations.
Marks now projects as part of a committee rather than a clear lead back. In full PPR formats, his receiving usage could keep him fantasy relevant, but in standard scoring leagues, his weekly ceiling takes a significant hit.
Jahmyr Gibbs — Clear Fantasy Winner
With Montgomery gone, Detroit’s backfield consolidates almost entirely around Jahmyr Gibbs, who already produced elite RB1 numbers in 2025 with 1,839 total yards and 18 touchdowns. Montgomery previously capped Gibbs’ short-yardage and carry upside, particularly near the goal line.
That limitation now disappears.
Gibbs enters the 2026 fantasy football season with legitimate overall RB1 upside across all formats, combining elite receiving volume with a potentially expanded rushing workload. I do expect the Lions to target a Montgomery-type replacement via free agency or the draft.
The Bottom Line
Montgomery gains an opportunity but loses efficiency upside in Houston, lowering his fantasy ceiling. Marks loses valuable scoring opportunities in a newly formed committee, while Gibbs benefits the most as Detroit transitions to a less crowded backfield. Overall, both Montgomery and Marks are off my draft board; meanwhile, until the Lions bring in competition, Jahmyr Gibbs should be the first player taken in fantasy football next year.
