Projected Texans RB2 behind Montgomery.
Teller is the interior upgrade. Howard leaving is the offset, not a scheme flip.
- ADP
- 12.03 (135)
- Target
- 12.03
- Move
- 0
- As of
- 2026-08-25
What changed
5 real changes. The rest held.
Run blocking
Was Howard as the veteran RT; 2025 interior
Now Teller (run-block add) at LG; Smith at RT; Howard gone
Teller is the interior upgrade. Howard leaving is the offset, not a scheme flip.
Pass blocking
Was Ersery / Tytus Howard / 2025 interior
Now LT Aireontae Ersery, LG Wyatt Teller (added), C Keylan Rutledge vs Jake Andrews, RG Ed Ingram, RT Braden Smith (added). Howard traded to CLE.
Teller and Smith in, Howard out. Center is still a camp job.
Backfield
Was 2025 backs
Now David Montgomery signed into the room
Montgomery is veteran volume, not a committee wipe.
Pass catchers
Was 2025 Texans WRs
Now Same core around Stroud
No published WR1-level reset.
Tight end
Was 2025 TE room
Now Caley is a former TE coach — TEs stay involved
TE usage should not collapse.
Continuity
Quarterback
Was C.J. Stroud
Now C.J. Stroud
Locked starter.
Play caller
Was Nick Caley
Now Nick Caley (OC since 2025)
Year two of Caley calling with Ryans.
Head coach
Was DeMeco Ryans
Now DeMeco Ryans
Same HC.
Scheme & pace
Was Caley 2025
Now Caley 2026
Continuity year for Stroud.
Team environment
Was Ryans perennial playoff team
Now Same AFC South favorite range
Positive scripts are the base case.
Vacated volume
- Targets
- —
- Carries
- —
- Red zone
- —
- Air yards
- —
No high-confidence vacated-volume number published. Role change matters more than a target count.
Competition added
No meaningful new competition sourced.
This player
- Projected role
- Projected Texans RB2 behind Montgomery.
- Usage
- Complementary backfield work.
- Injury
- No Week 1 absence reported as of August 20, 2026.
- Contract
- Not flagged as a 2026 hold-in.
- Camp
- Training camp underway as of August 2026. Week 1 is September.
Upside
Teller is the interior upgrade. Howard leaving is the offset, not a scheme flip.
Downside
Camp could still change the job before Week 1.
Risks
- Most of this looks like last year. Watch for a quiet camp role change.low
Sources
No source URLs were returned with this brief.
Notes come from the 2026 coaching and roster board (team sites, NFL.com, ESPN, The Athletic). Hold is the default when ADP already has the news.