For the first time since 2005, the Houston Texans have a low amount of production returning at the tight end position.
The team went through a golden era with Owen Daniels & James Casey. Even Garrett Graham was a solid choice for a few seasons with the Texans. But, the 2016 season will see 2 players at tight end with minimal experience. In 2005, Marcellus Rivers led the Texans tight end unit. He caught just 24 passes & zero touchdowns that year. This group isn’t close to that bad but still not ideal.
C.J. Fiedorowicz & Ryan Griffin will have to carry the load in 2016. Griffin has the most experience & production of the two. He’s in his 3rd season & has 49 catches for 586 yards and 4 touchdowns in his career. Not mind-blowing numbers, but when he was called upon, he performed. He caught 49-of-78 targets but those numbers are lowered because he has been 2nd string this whole time.
As of now, Fiedorowicz is the main man. However, he’s even more inexperienced than Griffin. The third-year tight end out of Iowa is more blocker than receiver. And that’s fine, because the Texans are loaded at receiver & have new back Lamar Miller. Fiedorowicz does have some receiving statistics, catching 21-of-31 targets for 195 yards & 2 touchdowns. Those numbers may increase this year with a new quarterback & even more confidence in the offense.
He wasn’t a 3rd round draft pick for no reason. He became a solid possession tight end in his time for Iowa. In his collegiate career, he caught 91 passes for 899 yards & 10 touchdowns in just 3 years. He knew how to get in the end zone. In his final season, he saw the end zone 6 times.
He’s a big body at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. He may not be fleet footed or a receiving first threat but he brings an element of toughness to the offense. Between he and Griffin, they’ll find a way to make up for the lost production.
-HST Correspondent Collin Wieder
All stats courtesy of Pro-Football Reference
Video Courtesy of Erick Ward
