The Texans welcome newcomers, including Deshaun Watson, to rookie camp.
The Texans were on the practice field Friday for the first day of rookie minicamp, and six of their seven draft choices, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, were under contract.
The only unsigned draft choice was running back D’Onta Foreman, the thirdround pick, but he signed an injury protection agreement that allows him to practice until his contract is finalized.
As the team’s first-round pick, Watson signed the most lucrative deal.
Watson, the 12th overall pick who led Clemson to a victory over Alabama in the national championship game last season, signed a four-year contract worth $13.85 million, including an $8.25 million signing bonus.
Watson’s base salaries are $465,000, $555,000, $862,249 and $1.177 million.
Watson also receives training camp roster bonuses in the last three years of his contract worth $539,749 (2018), $862,249 (2019) and $1.17 million (2020). The last two roster bonuses match his base salaries.
All rookies sign fouryear contracts.
Second-round pick Zach Cunningham, the inside linebacker from Vanderbilt, received $4.471 million, including a $1.392 million signing bonus.
Other contracts signed by draft choices included fourth-round picks offensive tackle Julién Davenport ($2.986 million, $586,420 signing bonus) and nose tackle Carlos Watkins ($2.819 million, $419,648 signing bonus); fifth-round pick cornerback Treston Decoud ($2.649 million, $249,348 signing bonus) and seventh-round pick center Kyle Fuller ($2.469 million, $69,216 signing bonus).
The rookies are back on the practice field Saturday. They reported Thursday for physicals and their first meetings with the coaches.
The Texans also placed offensive lineman Derek Newton on the physically unable-to-perform list. Newton tore the patellar tendons in both knees last season against Denver when he awkwardly bent backward and fell to the ground while trying to block Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller.
Newton, 29, who underwent a pair of lengthy surgeries, has been rehabbing. It is unclear when he will return.
The team also signed cornerback Marcus Roberson, 24, off waivers from the Buffalo Bills.