Versatile running back Ervin prized for speed, pass catching, elusiveness
Texans rookie running back Tyler Ervin is prized for his versatility, drawing comparisons to established NFL all-purpose threats like Jamaal Charles and Darren Sproles.
Ervin’s package of speed, pass-catching ability and elusiveness convinced the Texans to draft him in the fourth round Saturday to work in tandem with starting running back Lamar Miller.
“I think people that are able to do a couple more things than just their natural position are always going to be valuable,” said Ervin, who worked out privately for the Texans prior to the draft. “I’ve always prided myself on being able to do as much as I can on the field.”
Ervin rushed for 1,469 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He had 888 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. Over the past two seasons, Ervin caught 73 passes for 642 yards. He had 371 touches last season and just two fumbles.
Ervin could bolster the special teams. In college, he had 2,374 career kick return yards with three touchdowns.
“He’s a dynamic football player,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “For a smaller-stature guy, he’s not a little guy. He doesn’t have a lot of height, but he’s a tough, durable football player. With his skill set and his versatility, there are a lot of things we can do with the young man.”
Ervin rejoins former San Jose State offensive lineman David Quessenberry with the Texans.
“He came in as a freshman, and he was skinny, but he was always so fast,” Quessenberry said. “You knew this kid was going to be special. I used to call him ‘The Future’ at San Jose. He’s put on a lot of really good weight, and he was a stud for that team.”
At 5-10, 197 pounds ,Ervin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and had a 39-inch vertical leap.
“I think it allows me to be a little shiftier and allows me to not take as many punishing hits,” Ervin said of his height. “When it comes to being able to navigate yourself through the line and all that kind of stuff, it’s more of a mentality. I really don’t care about trying to be the biggest back or even trying to be the fastest back. I know my game.”
Safety Dillon feels the heat
Years before the Texans drafted West Virginia safety K.J. Dillon in the fifth round, the defensive back dealt with an episode of severe dehydration against Texas that briefly hospitalized him. He was sidelined for the remainder of his sophomore year.
It was initially feared that Dillon was being affected by his Type 1 diabetes, but that wasn’t the case.
“It was hot out there,” Dillon said. “You know how people say they give it all, well, I really gave it my all. I didn’t have anything left in the tank. Since I’m Type 1 diabetic, they thought it was something to do with my diabetes, but it wasn’t. I was just extremely dehydrated.
“It’s no problem at all. I just go about my day like a regular person just as long as I take my medicine. I’m doing good now.”
Dillon emerged as a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior when star safety Karl Joseph tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He finished last season with 55 tackles, 7½ for losses, two interceptions and eight pass deflections.
The Texans brought in Joseph for a visit, but he went 13th overall to the Oakland Raiders in the first round.
Dillon didn’t visit the Texans or work out for them but spoke to them at the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine.
“He’s just an aggressive player,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “He’s got some dual ability to come down in the box and also play in space.”
Reader copes with loss of father
For Texans rookie nose tackle D.J. Reader, his final season at Clemson was an extremely emotional experience.
Two years ago, Reader’s father, David, died of kidney failure. Reader took a leave of absence from the program and missed the first six games of this season while dealing with his loss.
“It’s been a big battle, but it’s something I dealt with that I took in stride as a man, and it’s made me a better person,” Reader said after the Texans drafted him in the fifth round. “It was a lot of the grieving process. It was due to me just getting help and grieving, something I needed to deal with.”
Reader is a big interior defensive lineman at 6-3, 333 pounds. He has run the 40-yard dash in 5.28 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times at the NFL combine.
Reader could be groomed behind veteran nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Wilfork, 34, is entering his 14th NFL season.
Defensive end not among picks
The Texans weren’t a part of the extended run on defensive ends during the NFL draft.
With former starter Jared Crick having signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Denver Broncos during free agency, the Texans are in flux at right defensive end opposite Pro Bowl left end J.J. Watt.
Among the candidates on the roster: Christian Covington, Jeoffrey Pagan, Devin Still and Brandon Dunn.
“We don’t have to play a game tomorrow, so that’s a hypothetical,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “We have a lot of candidates.”
16 undrafted free agents sign
After finishing their draft that included selecting six players over three days, the Texans agreed to terms with 16 undrafted free agents. The deals are contingent on the players passing physicals.
Offensive players joining the Texans are Memphis receiver Tevin Jones, USC fullback Soma Vainuku, Alabama receiver Richard Mullaney, California tight end Stephen Anderson, University of the Cumberlands receiver Wendall Williams and Tulane tackle Arturo Uzdavinis.
Defensive players joining the Texans are Miami end Ufomba Kamalu, North Carolina inside linebacker Shakeel Rashad, Michigan State end Joel Heath, California inside linebacker Jalen Jefferson, Stanford outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, South Florida outside linebacker Eric Lee, Texas cornerback Duke Thomas, San Jose State cornerback Cleveland Wallace and Florida International cornerback Richard Leonard.
The Texans also reached a deal with UCLA kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.