HOUSTON — Nine young men had the opportunity to hear their names called by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft that took place in late April in Kansas City. They were able to share in the excitement with family and friends who helped support them in some form or fashion.
Eight other young men did not get to hear a draft analyst assess their college careers on television. Nor did they hear their names called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or a super excited fan given the opportunity of a lifetime by reading the draft card. They had to wait until the draft was complete to receive a phone call from Texans general manager Nick Caserio offering them a chance to compete for a spot on the roster.
As the rookie minicamp is set to begin for Houston this weekend, first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans has no plans to use draft status in his initial evaluation of his young players.
“We are excited to work with all the guys, drafted or undrafted,” Ryans said before participating in the franchise’s 20th Annual golf charity event. “For me and coaches, it is our job to develop players. We find out what young men do well and how we can help them grow in an area that they may have some weaknesses.
“So, it is our job to understand those weaknesses as coaches and also just continue to help those guys. Show them how they can improve. Go out and teach them drills and fundamentals on where they can get better. That is the exciting part of coaching for me, just seeing young men improve day-to-day-to day.”
The Texans drafted former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama defensive end Will Anderson with back-to-back selections in the draft. They also added individuals such as wide receivers Tank Dell from Houston and Xavier Hutchinson out of Iowa State to help provide some offensive firepower.
“We are excited to work with all the guys, drafted or undrafted,” said Houston Texans first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans said about rookie minicamp that is set to start this weekend. “For me and coaches, it is our job to develop players.” #WeAreTexans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/USrtQ33rYh
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) May 9, 2023
While Ryans does believe that the roster improved with their draft picks and free agent signings this offseason, he is also well aware as a former NFL player that the game is played on the field and not on paper.
“We are not playing any games right now,” said Ryans. “We will see where we are come training camp. Once we are able to put pads on and truly go out and play football, that is where you assess the roster and see where we are. Right now, we can’t say how much better we are right now. You have to go play football and practice playing football to get better at football, and that is what we will assess and see where we are.”
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