Rookie catching on to role
Tight end Thomas shows improvement and big-play ability
The first time Texans tight end coach Tim Kelly met Jordan Thomas, he could literally feel his vast and raw potential.
When Kelly went to Starkville, Miss., to work out the intriguing Mississippi State draft prospect, Thomas sent him reeling backwards with a powerful hand punch delivered to a blocking pad held by Kelly.
At 6-5, 280 pounds, Thomas is an imposing physical specimen still learning how to use his strength and speed.
“When we went down there to work him out, obviously his size was the first thing you notice,” Kelly said. “He’s a big, strong, long guy. As far as the workout, I held the bag, I felt the pop and felt he was strong enough and willing enough.”
Significant progress made
Since that first meeting, Thomas has made major progress. He caught a pair of touchdown passes during a 42-23 victory over the Miami Dolphins, the first scores of his NFL career. For the season, Thomas has eight receptions for 120 yards with six first downs.
Thomas is philosophical about his improvement.
“A long way,” Thomas said. “It’s been a long journey and a long journey ahead of me. I’m looking forward to it. It’s very fun with a quarterback like Deshaun Watson. It was fun, still got a lot more to do.”
Thomas celebrated one of his scores by leaping into the stands, drawing some good-natured teasing from fellow rookie tight end Jordan Akins.
“Jumping in the crowd, Jordan Akins gave me a hard time because I’m pretty big,” Thomas said. “I did it for all the fat boys. I barely got up there.”
Perhaps the next time he scores, Thomas will have an elaborate dance planned.
“I don’t have that much of a rhythm, but we might do a little dance,” he said. “I got some stuff up my sleeve, but we’ve got to score first.”
Although Thomas still has a lot to absorb as far as learning the nuances of the game, the sixth-round draft pick from Sumrall, Miss., (population 1,050) is making a big impression on the coaching staff.
Thomas isn’t always a starter, but he is delivering big plays.
Thomas resembled a runaway truck on a 39-yard catch-and-run against the Giants. He caught a 27yard pass from Watson in the season-opener against the Patriots.
A former outside receiver in college, Thomas is averaging 15 yards per catch.
“It helps a lot playing receiver,” Thomas said. “I can switch my receiver routes to tight end routes.”
The Texans have targeted Thomas 13 times this season, but hope to increase his role going forward based on his performance.
“I think he’s really improved,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s got really good hands, he’s learning about the passing game. I think he works hard, so I’ve seen improvement, but again, it’s got to continue.”
Thomas was once the topranked junior college tight end in the nation, but wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school with only junior-college offers.
‘Aren’t too many’ like him
At East Central Community College in Mississippi, Thomas played tight end, defensive end and offensive tackle. He also played on the basketball team.
“I think if you take a look at the landscape of the tight ends in the NFL right now, there aren’t too many guys like that,” Kelly said. “With Jordan, it’s a process of us just trying to continue to teach him the intricacies of the position and the intricacies of the offense.”
Thomas knows he still has a lot to work on with his blocking technique and fundamentals.
“I’m working every day to get better at it,” he said. “It’s not where it needs to be, but it’s good. It still needs to be improved.
“I still have a lot to learn, long season. I have a lot to learn everywhere in my game. I need to keep contributing to the offense and building that trust.”