A Smash‑Mouth Revival in Houston
The Houston Texans have announced a shift toward a smash‑mouth offense, a strategy that emphasizes power running and physicality at the line of scrimmage. At the center of this transformation is David Montgomery, a running back recently acquired in a trade and signed to a two‑year, $16.5 million contract.
Coaches envision Montgomery as a three‑down back, capable of handling carries on early downs while also serving as a reliable target in the passing game. His skill set is designed to keep defenses guessing and to maximize the team's time‑of‑possession.
Montgomery will compete with a stable of backs that includes veterans such as Woody Marks, whose production last season fell short of expectations. In contrast, Montgomery’s previous performance showed superior rush‑yardage‑over‑expected figures and stronger yards after contact, positioning him to outpace his predecessor.
Running backs coach Danny Barrett has praised Montgomery’s versatility, noting that his ability to catch passes out of the backfield could open up new play‑action opportunities for the offense.
Fantasy Outlook and Market Perception
Analysts project that a substantial share of the team's early‑down snaps, combined with potential red‑zone work, could lift Montgomery into the top‑15 at his position in fantasy rankings, making his current RB20 average draft position appear attractive. The combination of a clear role and a favorable contract makes him a compelling option for both daily‑fantasy and season‑long formats, especially in leagues that reward production from three‑down backs.