Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins is having a consistent training camp replete with big plays. The former baseball player has showed up each day and not had any slumps throughout camp.
For the former 2018 third-round pick, the challenge has been to rely more on his own understanding of the game and not simply his athleticism.
“Instead of just using my athleticism, I really just set aside and picked the brains of vets,” Akins said. “I wanted to see how they think. Really, Darren Fells has been outstanding for me.”
Technically, Fells would be the only “vet” on the Texans’ roster as Kahale Warring missed his entire rookie year and Jordan Thomas is also entering his third year. But it isn’t just veterans on the roster that Akins seeks out for advice. Even former Texans tight end Jerell Adams is a source Akins consults with on how to play the game more intelligently.
“I still talk to Jerell Adams, and I watched a lot of film,” said Akins. “I kind of just found myself mentally, if that makes sense, for the game. I know my athleticism will speak for itself but that was my focus this offseason.”
Akins caught 36 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns in his 16 games for Houston last year, nine of which he started. The 6-4, 243-pound tight end provides a reliable threat down the seam and should be another one of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s diverse weapons in the post-DeAndre Hopkins offense.
“I really was trying to see how the vets think and just put the athleticism and the mental together,” said Akins. “It seems to be working out fine for me this year.”
The Texans kickoff the regular season Sept. 10 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. It could be Akins’ first chance to truly demonstrate he is melding the physical and mental aspects of the game.
