Texans undrafted free agent – Syndication Server

Texans sign 9 undrafted free agents

The Houston Texans have signed nine undrafted free agents in time for rookie minicamp.

The Houston Texans have announced the signings of nine undrafted free agents.

A third of the Texans’ signings were offensive linemen as they added former Western Michigan tackle Dylan Deatherage, former guard-tackle Tyler Beach from Wisconsin, and former Auburn tackle Kilian Zierer.

Houston signed two receivers with Jared Wayne from Pittsburgh and Jesse Matthews from San Diego State.

The Texans signed former Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay. Houston also signed former Memphis punter Joe Doyle.

The two defensive players Houston signed were former LSU defensive end Ali Gaye and former Duke safety Darius Joyner.

Houston has also signed four of their nine draftees.

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Coach DeMeco Ryans looks forward to developing Texans’ drafted and undrafted talent

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says he is looking forward to cultivating, not just the team’s drafted talent, but also the undrafted.

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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How undrafted RB Xazavian Valladay could make the Texans’ roster

Undrafted free agent running back Xazavian Valladay has a shot to make the Houston Texans’ final roster.

The Houston Texans didn’t exactly load up their undrafted free agent class following the 2023 NFL draft. Nevertheless there could be a couple of gems from the signees who find their way onto the Texans’ final roster.

According to Jeff Risdon from the Draft Wire, a good candidate among the undrafted crop is former Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay.

The Texans gave Valladay $175,000 to sign, an indication of how much they like the speedster from Arizona State. His ability to catch the ball and reliably make the first tackler miss give Valladay the ability to usurp Dare Ogunbowale on the Houston depth chart.

Ogunbowale, who originally found his way into the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, returned in 2022 as a reserve back in Houston’s running back stable. The 28-year-old carried 42 times for 123 yards and a touchdown while also catching 20 passes for 104 yards.

Valladay generated 1,192 yard and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries through 12 games with the Sun Devils last season. The potential for production is not in question.

Where the former graduate transfer from Wyoming would have to prove himself is in the transition phase of the game, as the majority of the offensive reps are going to Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary. Ogunbowale played 281 special teams snaps compared to 183 offensive snaps. Valladay would have to demonstrate to coach DeMeco Ryans and special teams coordinator Frank Ross that he can be trusted to supplant Ogunbowale in this role before any playing time on offense comes into question.

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Texans looking to keep flexibility with offseason roster

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says the team is looking to keep some spaces open on the roster to provide for flexibility.

The Houston Texans had one of their biggest draft classes with nine selections in the 2023 NFL draft.

With such a collection of draftees, it would appear the Texans are on their way to filling out their entire 90-man roster. However, general manager Nick Caserio said after the draft that the team wanted to keep some spots open for flexibility.

“I think with the draft we ended up with, call it, 76, 77 [players on the roster],” Caserio said. “That would leave a dozen-ish or so spots. Probably get 10 or 11 [undrafted free agents], so maybe leave a few spots for whomever. This way if there’s an opportunity out there, whether it’s now, whether it’s next weekend, or whether it’s throughout the course of the spring that we feel we could fit, then you leave yourself some flexibility.”

Caserio indicated that the Texans “likely won’t go all the way to 90 [players on the roster] today.”

The Texans will get some flexibility with one roster spot. Defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye, who is their international developmental player, will now be a part of the team but not count against their roster.

Said Caserio: “We theoretically can add 91 players because he’s one extra; probably leave ourselves a little bit of flexibility here in the event there’s an opportunity to add a player we think could help.”

Having open roster spots to work with would allow the Texans opportunities to bring in veterans to bolster positions that take attrition throughout training camp.