Tag: Darren Fells

Is TE Darren Fells making Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s job easier?

Houston Texans tight end Darren Fells makes life easier for quarterback Deshaun Watson. The stats are all the proof you need.

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.

Texans didn’t know what they had in TE Darren Fells until training camp

The Houston Texans weren’t sure what tight end Darren Fells would bring to the team until training camp.

Houston Texans tight end Darren Fells set a new single-season franchise record for touchdown catches with seven when he hauled in a 13-yard score in the club’s 28-22 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

According to coach Bill O’Brien on Monday, the team didn’t really know what they had with Fells during the offseason workouts. Given organized team activities in May and early June are nothing more than basketball on grass, the picture on what Fells could bring didn’t materialize until training camp.

“I think that once we got to training camp and we put the pads on, we really could see what he could do,” O’Brien said. “He was a good blocker, he was very smart and a really good guy.”

Fells has caught 28 passes for 310 yards and seven touchdowns. All but the receiving yards are new career highs for the 6-7, 270-pound target, who has also been as impactful in the locker room and the tight end group as he has been on the gridiron.

Said O’Brien: “Really mature guy, a guy that has been great in the room. Got a lot of younger players in that room and he’s meant a lot to our team.”

At 33 years old, there may not be many more banner years for Fells. However, he has made the most of his opportunities with his fifth team since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

WATCH: TE Darren Fells extends Texans’ lead over the Patriots

Houston Texans TE Darren Fells caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Deshaun Watson to extend their lead over the New England Patriots.

Tight end Darren Fells has been one of the best free agent additions for the Houston Texans, and he showed it again Sunday night against the New England Patriots in the second quarter.

Fells caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson. After a Ka’imi Fairbairn extra point, the Texans took a 14-3 lead over the 10-1 Patriots, the cream of the AFC.

The touchdown catch is the seventh of the season for Fells, extending his new single-season high.

7 Texans the Colts must game plan for in Week 12

These Texans must be accounted for in Week 12.

The Colts are back on top of the AFC South, tied with the Houston Texans with a 6-4 record. This game means so much for both teams as the division and possibly even a potential wild card spot could be at stake here.

Houston is coming off their worst loss of the season, a 41-7 blowout against Baltimore on Sunday. The Texans will not come out as flat as they did last week when they host the Colts on Thursday night and this team is not to be underestimated.

If the Colts want to stay on top of the AFC South and go a game up on Houston, here are seven Texans the Colts must gameplan for:

Deshaun Watson Houston Texans
(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

QB Deshaun Watson

This mobile, strong-arm quarterback is a threat every time he steps on the field. The Colts will need to contain him in the pocket and not allow him time to throw to his talented receiving core. Look for Darius Leonard to spy on Watson all game and try to keep him from torching them in the run game.

WR Deandre Hopkins

Regarded as one of, if not the best wide receiver in football, Hopkins creates a significant matchup problem for the Colts. With top corner Pierre Desir questionable for Thursday, it will be up to rookie Rock Ya-Sin and the collection of safeties to keep Hopkins from going down the field.

LB Zach Cunningham

The talented linebacker leads the team in tackles with 79 total tackles on the year. He is a force in the run game and will have to be picked up by the Colts O-line in order to have success with Hines and Williams on the ground.

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Bernardrick McKinney Houston Texans
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

LB Bernardrick McKinney

McKinney is another linebacker that along with Cunningham, can be a real problem for teams trying to run the ball. With 68 total tackles on the year, McKinney will have to be accounted for on Thursday. He is also a solid pass coverage outside backer as well.

TE Darren Fells

Fells has had a quiet season, but has six touchdowns, mostly coming in the red zone. Watson targets his big tight end in goal-line sets so look for Anthony Walker and Leonard to be on Fells especially if the Texans drive down the field.

S Tashaun Gipson Sr.

Gipson has been banged up in 2019 but he is still a great cover safety with run-stopping ability. Gipson has two picks on the year including a 79-yard touchdown return earlier in the season. Brissett will have to be careful airing it out if Gipson is in coverage.

LB Whitney Mercilus

The eighth-year veteran has still been disruptive in this defense that has desperately needed a pass rush after trades and injuries. Mercilus has fit the bill with five and a half sacks on the year along with an interception. With this powerful pass rusher coming off the edge, tackles Anthony Castonzo and Braden Smith will have to make sure he does not get around them.

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