Toro Times
Fansided

Houston Texans positional breakdown: Tight Ends

By Randy Gurzi

Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin (84) scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin (84) scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Aug 20, 2014; Englewood, CO, USA; Houston Texans tight end Anthony Denham (81) catches a pass during scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at the Broncos Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2014; Englewood, CO, USA; Houston Texans tight end Anthony Denham (81) catches a pass during scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at the Broncos Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2014 undrafted kid: Anthony Denham

After joining the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Utah in 2014, Denham has yet to see the field in a regular season NFL game.

Vitals
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 24
No career stats

Denham spent nearly the entire 2014 season on the practice squad and despite making the 53-man roster later in the year, he never saw the active game day roster. In 2015, he spent the season on injured reserve.

Look for Denham to compete for the third tight end spot in 2016, but it may not be a lock despite his experience over the other candidates.

Season prediction: Potential practice squad player

Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UTEP tight end Eric Tomlinson catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UTEP tight end Eric Tomlinson catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2015 undrafted kid: Eric Tomlinson

Eric Tomlinson played at UTEP and was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles but found his way to the Texans practice squad before the year was over.

Vitals
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 263 pounds
Age: 24
No career stats

Tomlinson didn’t light up the stat sheets during his time in El Paso, and most likely won’t do much for Houston. If Denham didn’t suffer an injury last season, he would have most likely been the practice squad tight end and Tomlinson may still be in Philly.

Season prediction: Cut before 53-man roster is finalized

Oct 31, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears tight end Stephen Anderson (89) catches a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Bears 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears tight end Stephen Anderson (89) catches a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Bears 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 undrafted kid: Stephen Anderson

The third undrafted tight end trying to make Houston’s roster is the former Cal Golden Bear, Stephen Anderson.

Vitals
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 230 pounds
Career Receptions: 101 (Cal)
Career Yards: 1,260 (Cal)
Career TDs: 7 (Cal)

Houston showed interest in Anderson during the pre-draft process and they were probably thrilled to see him last through all seven rounds and be available after all the names had been called.

Anderson is undersized for the position, but could put on weight now that he has a chance to work with NFL conditioning coaches. One thing that’s for sure, the kid has talent.

After posting 40-yard dash times as low as 4.58 and recording a 38-inch vertical jump, he brings some athleticism and versatility to the position. A former walk-on at Cal, Anderson now has a chance to score an NFL job after being undrafted.

Next: Houston Texans positional breakdown: RBs

I for one, am betting on him to win that final spot in Houston, but will most likely be a seldom used third tight end. Still, a long way to come for a kid who originally wasn’t even given a college scholarship.

Season prediction: 8 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD

Home/Houston Texans News