Tight ends show versatility
Jordan Akins epitomizes the football adage about being capable of performing more than one facet of the job. The rookie Texans tight end has lined up at fullback, slot receiver and outside receiver, as well as his traditional position.
Akins’ versatility and the collective skills of the Texans’ tight ends were on display in Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Among veteran Ryan Griffin, Akins and fellow rookie Jordan Thomas, the tight ends combined for 11 receptions for 151 yards. They caught every pass thrown to them by Deshaun Watson as he relied on the tight ends more than usual due to injuries to wide receivers Keke Coutee and DeAndre Carter.
“I think it opens up a lot of opportunities,” said Akins, a thirdround draft pick from Central Florida who caught two passes for 40 yards against the Colts. “We have great tight ends. All of our tight ends are pretty talented at different positions. We bring something different to the table. Being able to do more helps your team in different places.”
Waiting for the call
Griffin had a team-high 80 receiving yards on five receptions against the Colts. Like Akins, Griffin regularly lines up at several positions. He also blocks a lot.
“Talking about versatility, we all have that sentiment,” Griffin said. “If someone goes down at offensive tackle or at receiver, we’re able to step in and play. You can only dress 46 players on Sundays, and injuries are part of the game, so you have to be ready.”
When C.J. Fiedorowicz was forced to retire due to chronic concussions, the Texans needed reinforcements and versatility at tight end. Fiedorowicz was a bruising blocker who doubled as a receiving threat.
The Texans drafted Akins and Thomas, a 6-5, 280-pound sixthround pick from Mississippi State, to complement Griffin.
“They do a good job of doing what their responsibilities are, being able to find open holes in zones in the defense, and they’re big targets,” Watson said. “You give them a chance to make a play, and those guys can make plays. They’ve been doing a great job and improving each and every week.”
Griffin (6-6, 264) has 20 receptions for 283 yards on 37 targets. Thomas has 18 receptions for 207 yards and four TDs on 24 targets. Akins (6-4, 243) has contributed 15 catches for 192 yards on 20 targets.
“I have a lot of confidence in those guys,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “They’re good. They all have different skill sets. All of them can block in their own different ways. Good hands, smart guys, hard workers. I have confidence in all three of those guys.”
Collectively, they have 53 catches for 682 yards and four scores with three games left.
“We work hard every week,” Akins said. “We do a lot of protection, chip-blocking, things of that nature. When the ball goes our way, we’re excited to make a play and showcase our talents. It’s our job to catch the ball when it’s thrown at us.”
Thomas never satisfied
But as well as the tight ends performed Sunday, the Texans didn’t win the game. That is what sticks with Thomas, who caught four passes for 31 yards.
“We could have did more,” Thomas said. “We didn’t win, so we didn’t do enough. We have improved but still we didn’t do enough to win.
“We just go out every day and try to catch the ball when it comes to us. That builds the confidence.”