Houston Texans Running Backs Breakdown

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Chris Polk (32) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Texans 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Polk

Blue is the favorite to be the No. 2 back, and the distance between him and Polk is noticeable. However, the Texans offseason signing at the position should be seen as a legit challenger, because the former Philadelphia Eagles UDFA could be a factor in his first season away from the team. He did disappoint last season, however, as he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in his first season with a sizeable workload, as he was able to earn 46 carries with two receptions and kick-off return work mixed in.

There is plenty of reason to believe that Polk is an undervalued commodity, because his 3.7 yards per carry average hides the fact that he was very efficient when given more than five carries. For example, he was excellent against the Texans, rushing for a season-high 50 yards on just eight rushes. He put up 49 on the Dallas Cowboys in 11 carries and 38 on the New York Giants in seven.

His performances against the Carolina Panthers (five carries for 11 yards) and Tennessee Titans (a woeful seven carries for 5 yards) were poor, but he stood out in a few games and had 2.4 yards per contact after carry in a limited sample of rushes.

The Eagles decision not to rescind their offer for Polk in restricted free agency came because of a surplus of running back talent after signing both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews as replacements for LeSean McCoy, but I think he has a better opportunity of making some noise in Houston even with limited touches for the taking between him and Blue.

Next: Another young LSU back