Houston Texans: Seven free agent options at tight end

James Hanna, Dallas Cowboys, 26 years old

Unless you’re a die hard Dallas Cowboys or Oklahoma Sooners fan, you may not know who James Hanna is.

For those unaware, he was a sixth round selection of the Cowboys back in 2012 who keeps  finding himself recording starts in a two tight end formation despite Dallas using a second round selection on Gavin Escobar in 2013.

Hanna has recorded just 33 receptions for 286 yards and zero touchdowns in his four seasons, but he is constantly praised by his coaches for his skill in the blocking game, which is the reason he finds himself over Escobar despite their draft disparity.

The 6’4″ tight end has solid height and also weighs over 250 pounds, but also has deceptive speed once the ball is in his hands.

If his college years are any indication, he can be a successful red zone target as well as he brought in seven touchdowns during his junior season on just 18 receptions and 292 yards. His senior season saw more catches (27), yards (381) but less touchdowns (2).

In the end, Hanna may be had for a reasonably low price, but he has shown some flashes in his limited sample size and wouldn’t be a downgrade at all in the running game.

Next: A former Top Ten selection