Toro Times
Fansided

Houston Texans high on undrafted rookie TE Stephen Anderson

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 31, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears tight end Stephen Anderson (89) reacts after catching 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) reacts after catching 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 /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Houston Texans are enjoying the early return they are seeing on their investment in undrafted tight end Stephen Anderson from Cal

After the draft was over the Houston Texans once again had ignored one of the thinest positions on the roster, tight end. Instead of using a draft selection the team opted to go the rookie free agent route, and so far they seem to be happy with that decision.

Although training camp still hasn’t started, the team has seen some good practices from their players in OTA’s and mini-camps, and one undrafted rookie who is making the most of those sessions is tight end Stephen Anderson.

The undersized tight end is seen as a “tweener” at the NFL level as he is just 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds. He did however put up some impressive work during his pre-draft workouts which included a 4.58 second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical leap.

His great workouts have carried over to the Texans and have the coaching staff gushing about his potential.

"“He’s come out and really put in a great effort every day,” Texans tight ends coach John Perry said via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “He’s held true to the Cal mantra of being a smart kid. He’s picked up things very quickly and, on top of that, he’s got great athleticism. He’s got good hands. His best trait is he continues to work at it. Here’s a kid who’s just climbed the ladder. He walked on at Cal. Now he comes in here as a free agent. He’s taken advantage of opportunities that have been presented to him. So, he’s fun to work with and I can see him continuing to get better.”"

The Texans could surely use the help as they have had very limited production at the position for a couple of seasons now. Making matters tougher at the spot, their most productive tight end in 2015, Ryan Griffin, is still battling an Achilles injury.

Next: Houston Texans bubble watch: CB Charles James

Anderson, a former walk-on, recorded 101 receptions for 1,260 yards and seven touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

Home/Houston Texans News