Houston Texans Rookie Film Analysis: Woody Marks

Houston’s newest running back is unlike anything Houston has seen

Our second installment of this year’s Houston Texans Rookie Film Review covers the fourth round running back Woody Marks out of USC. Last week we featured WR Jaylin Noel’s Film Review.

ESPN Positioned Woody Marks as a “Situational back and backups” in their recent rookie running back role tiers article, which is the fifth tier of running backs listed.

Houston’s history of drafting running backs has been a story of limited investment returning limited earnings. Marks is the next installment of a growing list group of late-round RBs, most of which were never given a fair shot to contribute. Marks stands out from the other picks as possibly the best pass-catching running back Houston has ever drafted.

It’s rare to find a running back who is both willing to run in between the tackles and is exceptional catching the ball. It forces opposing defenses to respect the run while having personnel to avoid him reeling off an eight yard catch on first down. His versatility allows is for him to be a three-down back rather than simply a third-down back.

Here is the 38+ minutes of tape we’ll be dissecting today.

His primary toolkit as a running back includes a jab step to throw off defenders and low running style when bracing for contact. You rarely, if ever, witness “special” plays from Marks but his consistency and hard-nosed mentality balances well with his pass catching capabilities.

He rarely sifts through blocks and instead punches forward like a pin through a wall. NFL.com lists him as a “slashing complementary back”, which is actually spot on given their broad stroking scouting.

The Fit in Houston:

His ceiling is a feature back for two or three seasons, but his floor is a semi-rotational pass catcher who never establishes himself as an RB2. Texans in an extremely cloudy offense. Joe Mixon is the incumbent, but should only have two, maybe three seasons of lead back left in him. Dameon Pierce has never developed beyond his first season. Then there is a host of unproven young backs from last year’s class who could make a play for a roster spot. Marks can receive immediate playing time by supporting the passing game where he shines the most. With time and experience, Marks can take over the backfield in modern NFL-style running back role where he sports 200 carries and 50 receptions every year of his career.

Strengths:

• Patience and acceleration are his calling cards
• Led college football twice at Miss State in receptions
• Experience in multiple systems between USC and Miss. State’
• NFL-style vision waiting for blocks to develop
• Consistently falls forward for extra yardage
• Deliberate and aggressive when holes open up in run game
• Turns elusiveness up in passing game
• One-cut running style is scheme-agnostic
• One career fumble on 608 carries

Weaknesses:

• While his open field vision is strong, he can become narrowly focused or “funneled” when he is running into the second level
• Doesn’t break his runs to the outside and prefers to jolt forward for a few more yards
• Doesn’t break tackles
• People say he’s not a home run hitter, but it’s more that he isn’t shifty against safeties
• Pass blocking is poor and can be a career limiting
• Already 24 years old; entering his prime as a rookie
• Limited athletic profile; average testing at the NFL Combine

Overall Analysis:

Marks is a one-cut back, possesses elite pass-catching ability, and can be a hard-nosed runner between the tackles. While his toolkit to evade tacklers is limited, he has distinctly progressed in this category since his time at Mississippi State. Cursory scouting analysis will stigmatize him as a scat back, but rather, he is crafted in the mold of more modern three-down running backs such as Chase Brown, Kyren Williams, James Cook, and Bucky Irving.

Comparisons: J.D. McKissic