Houston Texans: Reviewing impact of undrafted free agents

The Houston Texans have gotten unexpected contributions from their undrafted free agent signings in 2018.

The Houston Texans general manager, Brian Gaine, and the rest of the front office have done a great job in finding reliable contributors beyond the seven rounds of the NFL Draft. Under their previous general manager, Rick Smith, the Texans have found impressive players in the past seasons in the undrafted bin, running back Arian Foster, long snapper Jon Weeks, and cornerback A.J. Bouye have all had success and been voted as some of the best players at their respective position.

The most notable finds in the last few seasons have been inside linebacker Dylan Cole, kicker Kaimi Fairbairn, outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, and offensive tackle Kendall Lamm. However, the Texans have gotten quite a few players throughout the process this season that have been able to contribute the Texans successful seven-win streak.

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The Texans went into the regular season with four undrafted rookies from the 2018 NFL Draft. They signed wide receiver Vyncint Smith and punter Trevor Daniel right after the draft concluded, and they signed defensive back A.J. Moore and running back Gregory Howell after their respective teams waived them to meet the criteria for 53 players on the active roster.

Smith impressed throughout the preseason and training camp, he was able to beat former third-round pick, Braxton Miller, for the final spot at wide receiver. Smith hasn’t had a role on the team as he continues to make his transition to the NFL, but his raw physical traits were enticing enough to not risk waiving him and having another team potentially claim him.

Meanwhile, Daniel was able to unseat incumbent and future Hall of Famer, Shane Lechler for the punting duties as a rookie. Daniel has been in the middle of the pack in terms of gross punting average with 44.2 yards. He is ranked 15th in net punting average with 39.5 yards, but he is ranked fifth in the NFL with 22 punts placed in the opposing team’s 20-yard line. Daniel has done a good job pinning opposing offenses deep in their own territory.

Howell and Moore have been used primarily on special teams and they have been successful in bringing down ball carriers in the return game. They are both leading the Texans this season with six special team tackles, and they have played their role in improving the special team’s performance.

The front office and coaching staff have done a good job this season in finding talent beyond the NFL draft and putting them in positions where they can succeed and make an instant impact.