The Houston Texans puzzled their fans when they selected tight end Kahale Warring from San Diego State at 86th overall in Round 3 of the 2019 NFL draft Friday.
However, general manager Brian Gaine asserts that Warring was the best option available late in the third round.
“Best available,” Gaine told reporters Friday evening after day two of the draft. “He’s another player that we got to know, spent a lot of time with here over the winter and here through the spring.
Warring, who feels that playing a variety of sports made him a better football player, has some of the prototypical traits the organization is looking for at 6-5, 255 pounds, and running a 4.6 40-yard dash.
“He meets our prototypical standards, everything we look for from the physical standpoint and equally from the football character skills set, but a ton of upside here,” said Gaine.
The Texans passed on Alabama running back Damien Harris, Iowa State receiver Hakeem Butler, and Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, three players who could have helped out the Texans at positions of need.
However, Warring brings another element Gaine appreciates.
Said Gaine: “He’ll be a good addition for us both in the classroom, in the locker room, but also on the football field.”
Warring joins a tight end group that features veterans Ryan Griffin, Darren Fells, and second-year youngsters in Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins. Warring will have to prove his value in the classroom first, because there will be a premium of reps when he joins the offseason workouts.
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