David Montgomery Lands at No. 12 on Texans 2026 List

At NRG Stadium in Houston, offseason rankings always stir debate, and the latest one puts David Montgomery squarely in the middle of it. Sports Illustrated slotted Montgomery at No. 12 on its Top 25 Texans of 2026 list, a notable spot for a running back on a roster that keeps drawing national attention.

The ranking matters because it frames where Montgomery stands in the Texans conversation heading into 2026. A No. 12 placement suggests he is viewed as a meaningful piece of the roster, but not part of the top tier that usually includes franchise cornerstones, elite pass rushers, or headline quarterbacks.

David Montgomery earns a middle-of-the-list spot

Sports Illustrated's list focused on the top 25 Texans tied to the 2026 outlook, and Montgomery checked in at No. 12. That puts him in a valuable range. He is high enough to be seen as a player with real impact, but low enough that the ranking leaves room for arguments about upside, fit, and production compared with bigger-name teammates.

For Houston supporters, the placement adds another offseason talking point around roster balance. Running backs often get judged through a harsh lens in NFL rankings because their value is tied to workload, health, and scheme. Landing at No. 12 indicates Montgomery still carries weight in the team's projection for 2026.

Why the Texans ranking draws interest in Houston

This kind of list always says as much about the roster as it does about one player. A ranking like No. 12 signals that the Texans have enough recognizable talent to push a proven back outside the top 10. That reflects a broader shift around the franchise, where expectations now reach beyond rebuilding and into comparison mode.

Montgomery's position on the list also gives a snapshot of how national outlets see Houston's roster hierarchy. If he climbs in future evaluations, it likely means strong production and a bigger role. If he stays in the same range, the conversation will center on consistency rather than star billing.

The next wave of Texans analysis will likely focus on who cracked the top 10 and where Montgomery fits beside the team's other offensive pieces heading toward 2026. Rankings do not decide games, but they do shape the tone of offseason debate around NRG Stadium and across Houston sports talk.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.