Aug 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin (84) avoids the tackle of Denver Broncos defensive back Charles Mitchell (41) to run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Texans defeated the Broncos 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End
Gone is longtime starting TE Owen Daniels, whom the Texans released this offseason (he is now in Baltimore), but returning are Ryan Griffin and Garrett Graham. Also at TE is rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz.
Griffin is another player on the Texans’ roster who really needs to step up, because if he does, he would be a viable option in the Texans’ passing game in ’14.
In ’13, Griffin caught 19 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. He had his longest reception go for 40 yards and averaged 12.8 ypc. If you think about it … if he would have had more than 28 targets in ’13, his numbers could have been outstanding. He is a player to watch on the offense in ’14 in just his second NFL season.
Graham is the veteran TE of the team, entering his fifth season in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick in ’10 by the Texans, and at times in ’13, he showed flashes of what he’s capable of.
In 88 targets in ’13, Graham had 49 receptions for 545 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 11.1 ypc, with his longest reception being 42 yards.
I’m big on Graham, and with the chance of Fitzpatrick having to possibly check down to the TEs of the Texans in ’14, Graham and Griffin could be the benefactors of that.
Then there is Fiedorowicz, the third-round rookie from Iowa. In his final preseason game, he had one reception for five yards against the 49ers, and he had just five receptions in the preseason.
It will be interesting to see how Fiedorowicz progresses throughout the ’14 season, as he is the No. 2 TE listed on the Texans’ depth chart.