Jordan Akins

The Texans let Darren Fells go during the offseason, removing one obstacle for Akins, who led the team's tight ends with 37 catches, 49 targets and 403 yards in 2020. Fells was a big red-zone target and caught four touchdowns, so his removal could lead to greater opportunities near the goal-line for Akins, who enters training camp as the Texans' top tight end. Houston was a vertical passing team in 2020, and tight ends weren't a major focus, but that's expected to change in 2021, with Deshaun Watson's status cloudy.

The Texans had a deep group at tight end in 2019, but injuries left Akins and Darren Fells as the primary options from Week 1 until the team's playoff loss to the Chiefs. Akins doubled his production in 2019, relative to his rookie 2018 season, in all major fantasy categories and caught the first two touchdowns of his career. He benefited from injuries at wideout which prompted an increase in two-tight-end sets. That might be different in 2020 after Houston added Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb to a wideout crew that also includes Will Fuller and Kenny Stills. Additionally, the Texans enter training camp with four healthy tight ends.

With fellow tight ends Jordan Thomas and Kahale Warring (concussion) on IR, Akins figures to see added opportunities in the Texans offense this season. The 2018 third-rounder hauled in 17 passes for 225 yards in 16 games as a rookie and seemed destined to work in a time-share with Thomas this year, but Akins now profiles as the Texans' top pass-catching tight end, while veteran teammates Darren Fells and Logan Paulsen are valued more for their blocking ability.

Multiple concussion injuries limited Houston tight ends to 52 catches and two touchdowns in 2017, one year after they had a collective performance of 115 receptions and seven touchdowns. C.J. Fiedorowicz suffered three concussions and was forced to retire, while Ryan Griffin had two bouts, but will return in 2018. Head coach Bill O'Brien wants to get this position group back to its 2016 levels, and that started with the addition of Akins, a 2018 third-round draft pick out of Central Florida. A former baseball player (centerfield) who played four years in the Texas Rangers' system, Akins entered college football as a wide receiver before a knee injury prompted a shift to tight end. He caught 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns for the Knights last year. Houston coaches grew familiar with the UCF graduate when they coached him during the Senior Bowl All-Star Game and were happy to see him available in the third round. They also drafted Jordan Thomas in the sixth round. Of the two, Akins is considered the better receiver and will be the first in line to get the targets that used to go to Fiedorowicz.