Now, Marks is adapting smoothly to a strong complementary role working in tandem with veteran running back David Montgomery after an offseason trade for the former Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears starter. Marks and Montgomery have built a friendship and have good camaraderie and teamwork.

"It will be electric," Marks said. "Just two guys playing smash-mouth football. We're going to go out and ball."

Marks had an outstanding preseason, including a touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders on the heels of a dominant joint practice.

The Texans envision a solid workload for Marks that includes regular carries, a third-down pass-catching duties and carries along with a new role on kickoff returns. Although the division of labor won't be a 50-50 split as Montgomery is the established back as a former 1,000-yard rusher signed to a two-year, $16.5 million contract, Marks has earned more playing time.

The arrow is pointing way up for Marks.

"Woody has shown confidence," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Seeing him running the football, looking faster, quicker, but also in the passing game, excelling. He is very defined at the top of his routes, which is cool to see. He's a tough cover because he's so quick. He can beat you deep and also beat you underneath as well. He's done a really great job."

A fourth-round draft pick from USC last year, Marks rushed for a season-high 112 yards and a touchdown in an AFC playoff wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was held to 17 yards on 14 carries and lost a crucial fumble in the loss to the Patriots as the Texans’ running game was stonewalled with just 48 yards overall on the ground.

Marks’ adjustment to the NFL was relatively smooth overall, though.

And he’s liking his projected role for his second NFL season in the Nick Caley system.

Marks was a prolific pass-catching presence at USC and at Mississippi State before transferring.

“Nick Caley is doing a great job right now,” Marks said. “Got me doing all types of routes, learning the route tree. Just get outside and just using me as he can so I can be productive.”

Marks longest run in 16 games and eight starts was 23 yards. He manufactured 39 first downs. He had a 50-yard catch-and-run against the Baltimore Ravens.

The emotions he experienced a year ago before his first NFL game? Those are long gone.

The speed of the game is no longer a challenge. If anything, Marks is ahead of the curve.

"Nervous and not nervous," Marks said. "My knowledge is way, way more better than last year. I'd say I'm very more confident and it's slow. It's very slow right now. I'd say in terms of speed, not stuttering feet, just running, using my speed."

During the Texans’ road trip to Detroit for a joint practice and preseason game with the Lions last year, Marks was focused on his job during his first NFL preseason.

He still couldn’t help but notice the obvious energy, skill and intensity of the Lions’ offensive backfield headlined by running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery.

Now, Marks is teaming up with Montgomery after a roster-shaking trade as he joined the Texans in exchange for fourth-round and seventh-round draft selections and offensive guard Juice Scruggs.

The tandem that Gibbs, nicknamed ‘Sonic,’ for his dynamic running, and Montgomery, known as ‘Knuckles,’ for his punishing running style, is something for Marks to emulate.

“I’m very excited,” Marks said. “Just looking back at the clips with him and Jahmyr Gibbs, it looked like they was having so much fun out there. When the running back room doing good and everybody blocking, it’s a party in the running back room. So, we’re looking to have that same joy him and Jahmyr Gibbs had bringing it down here in Houston.

“He’s a funny guy. We’re going over plays and stuff right now. Get on the field for a short amount of time. We run plays. He wanted to change the plays to funny names. He’s a great guy. Just working out with him and then with the other backs there, we get along. We’re just clicking together.”

The arrival of Montgomery as the lead running back and primary replacement for injured former Pro Bowl selection Joe Mixon, who was released for a savings of $8 million, should allow Marks to stay fresh.

Montgomery rushed for 4.5 yards per carry last season and has averaged 4.1 yards per run for his career. The Texans’ running game ranked 22nd overall, 3.9 yards per carry, 29th in the NFL, and 31st with nine touchdown runs. They needed reinforcements. Montgomery provides that anchor for their running game.

“Love him as a back, watched him a couple times, him and Jahmyr Gibbs, see how they complement each other,” Marks said. “Having another back in the backfield is always good. There’s less I can take off of my body and there’s less he can take off his body, and we’re just ready to get to work. .. Just going out, knowing the little things of chess, both of our eyes, I'd say he's doing a great job with that, pressing gaps, making everything go up front, putting it down slow."

Marks finished his collegiate career with 3,016 rushing yards and 31 touchdown runs with 261 catches for 1,564 yards and five scores.

In spurts, Marks displayed decisiveness, vision and toughness as a rookie.

“I think the key for Woody is understanding his role, which he does,” running backs coach and assistant head coach Danny Barrett said. “He’s going to get lots of opportunities. Last year we brought him along slower, which was good to help him kind of learn the game. And once he learned the game, he played a lot faster. And you can see him now playing even faster.

“So, his role is going to pick up some third downs, special teams.He’s a kickoff return guy. But, more importantly, probably in the passing game as well. Just his level of confidence in the offense going into Year Two is at an all-time high right now. We’ve got to keep it there.

Rookie seasons are about adjustments. Marks made them as the season went on, learning on the fly.

“The speed was very fast at first, then it slowed down,” Marks said. “You kind of can see my main steps during the season, but I didn’t make a lot of steps in the secondary. I think I got complete hands coming out the backfield.

“It kind of separated me. Most guys didn’t think I could pass block, but I showed that a lot. Actually, made a big hit that last game against the Patriots.”

The Texans had set their ambitions on a Super Bowl run. Instead, their season ended on a cold, snowy day in Massachusetts. The Texans lost for the third year in a row in the AFC divisional round. They are now 0-7 all-time in that stage of the postseason.

“It was real hurtful to go out like that,” Marks said. “Whatever success I had, it wasn’t a success. We didn’t finish the game. We didn’t go to the Super Bowl.”

Marks can't wait to run some more behind a revamped offensive line that has gotten a shot in the arm from hard-nosed rookie left guard Keylan Rutledge, a first-round draft pick from Georgia Tech known for his feisty nature.

"Gritty," Marks said. "He's got the celebrations ready."

NOTES: The Texans officially signed former Miami Dolphins, Iowa and South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski to the practice squad along with center Gavin Gerhardt, releasing defensive tackle Dominic Bailey and center Ka'ena De Cambra. ... The Texans worked out wide receivers Tahj Washington and Chandler Brayboy and quarterback Miller Moss.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. He also has a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport

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