Houston Texans List Of Undrafted Free Agents
By Randy Gurzi
The Houston Texans wrapped up their 2015 draft by taking running back Kenny Hilliard in the seventh round on Saturday. Hilliard was the team’s seventh and final selection, but as is the case every year, the last pick is not the final rookie who will join the team and compete for a roster spot.
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After the selection process ended, the team started to grab players who did not hear their names called through the seven rounds of the NFL draft. These athletes have a shot to make some noise and perhaps become solid contributors.
Each season in the NFL someone undrafted makes a team and can eventually become a much more valuable player than anyone the franchise drafted. Texans all-time leading rusher Arian Foster is a perfect example of this as he was an undrafted running back that Houston snatched up after being passed over in 2009. The Texans surely hope to find similar success with this class of rookie free agents.
According to the Houston Chronicle the team has now agreed with 16 players, and the most interesting player that the Texans grabbed, in my opinion, is outside linebacker Lynden Trail out of Norfolk State.
Trail was featured on Toro Times as a late round pass rushing option, and he was also called the “biggest mystery” in the draft by Peter King of the MMQB. The 6’7″, 269 pound rookie could become a steal by the Texans, if they are able to help him develop his skill set. He is definitely a project player, but has athleticism to work with as he even spent some time playing tight end.
The Texans also signed 6’4″, 311 pounder Brandon Ivory from Alabama. While Ivory may not fill a stat sheet, his size and strength make him an intriguing prospect at nose tackle and he played in a pro-style 3-4 defense at Alabama.
Also agreeing to terms were; Ole Miss defensive end Carlos Thompson, Marshall defensive end James Rouse, Oregon linebacker Tony Washington Jr., Arizona defensive tackle Dan Pettinato, Ohio defensive lineman Cam McLeod, Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond, Bowie State tight end Khari Lee, Texas State punter Will Johnson, Toledo center Greg Mancz,, Auburn guard Chad Slade, Nebraska offensive lineman Jake Cotton, Appalachian State offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, Troy receiver Chandler Worthy and Central Florida tight end Mike McFarland.