Texans training camp: Tight ends fighting for playing time

The Houston Texans have a lot of offensive weapons including their tight ends, which have flown under the radar until Wednesday’s action.

The Texans’ receiver room is not just deep but also filled with quality contributors who could start elsewhere. Nico Collins, Tank Dell and newcomer acquired Stefon Diggs form a fearsome trio. Meanwhile, Noah Brown and John Metchie III serve as depth pieces.

The group has deservedly received its share of attention, but the Texans tight ends were a big part of the action at Wednesday’s practice.

 

Dalton Schultz, who bet on himself last offseason when he signed a one-year deal with Houston, re-upped with the team on a three-year, $36 million contract before the start of free agency.

His spot is secure after hauling in 59 passes for 635 yards with five touchdowns, but the Texans wanted more depth behind him. In the draft, they bolstered the room by selecting former Ohio State star and C.J. Stroud’s top red zone target in Cade Stover.

Stover, the No. 123 pick, is a front office favorite, as evidenced by general manager Nick Caserio’s gushing over the Buckeyes’ product after the draft.

He also has a rapport with Stroud from their time together at Ohio State. In 2022, he helped the future Offensive Rookie of the Year lead the Buckeyes back to the College Football Playoff while catching 36 passes for 406 yards and five scores.

“I was already on the phone with him before I got drafted that morning,” Stover told Texans TV host Drew Dougherty. “He was like, ‘Dude, we’re coming to get you. Tell me who likes you.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, these [teams] kind of like me, so if you could get in front of them, it would be real nice.”

Houston used multiple tight ends sparingly last season, running 12 personnel—one running back and two tight ends—on 9.1 percent of its plays, below the league average of 19.2 percent, according to Sumer Sports. 

Stover’s arrival adds to Houston’s offense’s versatility, providing an inline option at tight end. However, Brevin Jordan and Teagan Quitoriano aren’t letting Stover take over No. 2 duties without a fight.

A fifth-round pick of Miami in 2021, Jordan is coming off his best professional season. He had a career-best 219 receiving yards last year and made a game-altering play when he scored a 76-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in Houston’s 45-14 wild-card round victory.

“I’m excited to see Brevin’s growth. Brevin is a young player that I think has even more in the tank,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following Friday’s practice. 

Jordan is heading into a contract year and, by all accounts, had a strong offseason to prepare for another career campaign. 

Quitoriano has never been a huge target earner and has been more known for his blocking. He caught less than 20 passes at Oregon State in all four seasons. During his first two years with the Texans, he had 17 targets in the 16 games he appeared in.

Two trips to the IR also have factored into his limited progression.

Schultz will likely play sparingly in the preseason, allowing the three tight ends behind to see time and compete for a higher spot on the depth chart.

Houston opens its preseason next Thursday against the Bears at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.