When the Houston Texans signed tight end Darren Fells in free agency, expectations high. A 33-year-old former overseas basketball player turned blocking specialist, the addition of Fells was regarded as one that solidified the backend of the depth chart.
Fells has blown those measly expectations out of the water. Though 13 weeks, he leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns at the position, while also tallying 28 receptions for 310 yards. His seven touchdowns are the most in a single-season in Texans franchise history.
He makes life as a quarterback for Deshaun Watson easier.
“It makes my job a lot easier. He’s a guy, basketball guy, big hands, and just a guy that’s been working his tail off ever since he got here,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “He’s a great teammate, great person and he just loves to work, he loves to win, he loves to have fun and just hearing his story and where he comes from and the way he got here, it’s very special.”
Fells’ nine red zone receptions lead the NFL at the position, per Player Profiler. When targeted, he spawns a 134.6 passer rating, fifth in the NFL. Seemingly, he fits as an ideal target for a Texans offense that has favored finding tight ends on a power-RPO/play-action set of plays.
“You can tell that’s why he’s having a great year because he stuck through it, he kept working and he has that faith that he’s going to continue to improve and strive to get better,” said Watson.
On Sunday, Fells will face a Denver Broncos defense that sits at 19th in tight end yards allowed (600). He is two yards away from surpassing his career-high in receiving yards for a season; 311, set in 2015 with the Arizona Cardinals.
Considering the trust Watson has in Fells, the journeyman tight end is well on his way to accomplishing that feat.