Fells flying under the radar
Well-traveled tight end has been revelation with position-leading six TD receptions
LONDON — Darren Fells’ unique international sports experience came full circle Sunday when he raised the football in celebration at Wembley Stadium following his sixth touchdown catch of the year.
Once a professional basketball player in Belgium, Finland, France, Mexico and Argentina, playing for teams that included the Leuven Bears, Kataja, Etenard de Brest, Soles de Mexicali and Obras Sanitarias, Fells now plies his athletic trade as the Texans’ primary tight end.
In the middle of a breakthrough season redefining his previous reputation as a blocking tight end, Fells has come a long way as an NFL player since walking away from basketball and switching sports in 2013 when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
“It definitely brings back memories from when I was in Belgium and Finland,” Fells said. “The culture, the structures, being here, it’s like old times.”
Since his days as a basketball player at California-Irvine and NFL stints with Arizona, Detroit and Cleveland, Fells has been a relatively quiet contributor. Valued for his blocking as a bigger tight end at 6-7, 270 pounds, the 33-year-old has made it impossible for him to fly under the radar with the sharp routes and slick hands he’s displayed.
Fells leads all NFL tight ends in touchdown catches, excelling as quarterback Deshaun Watson’s favorite red-zone target.
League-wide recognition has eluded Fells, but this has been his best season as a pro.
“I’m just going out there, trying to do my job,” Fells said. “I don’t ever see myself as underrated. I just go out there and help the team any way I can. That’s pretty much been my whole career, so I don’t see anything different.”
During the Texans’ 26-3 win over Jacksonville on Sunday, Fells and Watson were at it again on a run-pass option play. Watson faked a handoff to running back Carlos Hyde as Fells flashed open for an easy 1-yard touchdown pass.
It was similar to previous connections between Watson and Fells, including his two touchdowns in a win over Oakland the week before.
“It’s amazing,” Watson said. “Just kind of throw the ball in his direction, he’s going to make plays, he’s going to catch it, strong hands. Football IQ is very, very high. He just makes those incredible catches.”
Fells has established career highs with 25 catches for 246 yards.
The way that Fells high-points the football with agility, leaping ability and sharp routes to match his imposing frame has made him a popular target for Watson.
“Of course, basketball background, big strong hands, big, tall, so you have to put a tall safety on him,” Watson said. “You have to try to put a linebacker on him, but he can do things that receivers can do. He can do it all.
The chemistry we have been building each and every week, he’s seeing the same set of eyes as me on the field.”
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in March, Fells has been a bargain investment.
Can he remain a relative unknown for much longer?
“I don’t know,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think the more you put good plays on film, I mean, I don’t know how you could, I mean, he is a good pro.
“He’s a big guy, he’s very mature, he’s very smart, he’s a great teammate. He just wants to do everything right. He’s really a great guy to coach.”
Working in tandem with Jordan
Akins, Fells has thrived as the Texans have made doubletight end sets a pivotal aspect of the game plan.
Fells has provided a mentoring presence to Akins. Together, they’ve made the tight end position a weapon in the Texans’ offense.
“I’m super proud of Darren,” Akins said. “We needed a big redzone scoring threat, and he’s that right now.”
When the Texans signed Fells, this arc didn’t appear to be a likely scenario.
The Texans were evaluating the possibility of expanding Jordan Thomas’ role after a promising rookie year.
They drafted Kahale Warring in the third round, and he was impressive during the offseason.
Thomas injured his hamstring at the start of camp. Then, he broke his rib and was placed on injured reserve. Warring suffered a concussion and is also on injured reserve.
The Texans adjusted to the injury situation and acknowledged Fells’ reliable nature. Every day, he has shown up and been consistent. That’s a trait valued by O’Brien and the entire organization.
“It’s always amazing that your coaches and teammates can trust you out there,” Fells said. “That’s my goal as a player and a teammate is to make sure everything I do is so they can trust me and rely on me.”