The Texans found their "Sonic." Can a Day 3 draft steal unlock a dynamic backfield duo, echoing Detroit's electrifying past?
The Houston Texans completed one of the bigger trades of the 2026 offseason, acquiring David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions. The Texans sent two Day 3 picks in the trade along with offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. Montgomery has been a great running back throughout his career, but he hasn't been able to flourish as of late in Detroit due to the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs stole the show during the 2025 season, and the writing was on the wall when it came to Montgomery playing elsewhere in 2026.
Gibbs and Montgomery earned the nickname "Sonic and Knuckles" while the two were in Detroit, and that was due to their different but effective running styles. Gibbs was known to be the quicker, shiftier back, aka Sonic. Montgomery was quick but bigger and bruising, able to cause damage while running between the tackles, and he went by Knuckles.
Houston released Joe Mixon after acquiring Montgomery, and as of right now, his running mate in the backfield is Woody Marks. Marks played well during his rookie season in 2025, but the back certainly has some room to improve. The Texans drafting a running back is absolutely on the table, although it probably would not happen until Day 3 or so.
One running back prospect to keep an eye on for the Texans is Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest. Gilberto Manzano of SI wrote about sleeper prospects in this year's draft, and Claiborne made the list, "I had no choice but to move up Claiborne on my running back draft rankings after an NFC coach told me that the Wake Forest product was the closest prospect he’s seen to Jahmyr Gibbs since the Lions took Gibbs in the first round in 2023. He does have some character concerns, but the 5'10", 188-pound speedster could flourish in the right situation if he puts in the work. Claiborne has also drawn comparisons to De’Von Achane. With comparisons like that, Claiborne could hear his name called early on Day 3 of the draft."
A running back that can be compared to Gibbs is something that every team in the NFL would like to have, and the Texans could be in a spot to pursue a talent like that on Day 3 of the event. Houston already has its Knuckles, and Claiborne can certainly fill the role of Sonic for the Texans. This is a name to keep an eye on as the draft goes on.