The Houston Texans will have a different and unique tight end corps group in 2019. Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins, and third-round rookie Kahale Warring all have a year or less of NFL experience under their belt.
Coach Bill O’Brien likes what he has seen so far with the young tight ends and what they bring to the Texans’ passing game.
“Look, these guys now — Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins and Kahale — they’re big, big, good athletes,” O’Brien told reporters Friday after day one of rookie minicamp at NRG Stadium. “They can run, they can catch, they’re smart, they know where to line up.”
Thomas was the breakout tight end among the 2018 rookie class with 20 catches for 215 yards and four touchdowns through 16 games, 10 of which he started. Akins caught 17 passes for 225 yards in 16 games, six of which he started.
All three of the Texans’ young tight ends are 6-4 or taller, which makes them big targets for quarterback Deshaun Watson to find on a hot route or as a dump off option.
While Warring may have wowed social media with his catches on day one of rookie minicamp, O’Brien keeps it in perspective.
Said O’Brien: “Kahale’s not there yet but these guys, Akins and Thomas, are having really good offseason programs for us. Kahale had a pretty good day today for Day One out here. They’re guys that are really athletic for their size and do a nice job of understanding our offense”
With general manager Brian Gaine putting such an emphasis on the tight end position it appears that O’Brien will be utilizing them more in 2019.
