Houston Texans Rookie Review: Jordan Thomas

Houston Texans drafted Mississippi State tight end, Jordan Thomas in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans drafted their second tight end in the 2018 NFL Draft with Jordan Thomas. Texans general manager Brian Gaine doubled down at the tight end position after drafting Jordan Akins with their third and final draft pick in the third round. Thomas was selected with one of the two compensatory the Texans received in the sixth round with outside linebacker John Simon and defensive back Quintin Demps leaving in free agency.

Far from a complete tight end prospect coming out of college, Thomas struggled with consistency as an inline blocker as a rookie, which isn’t uncommon as he was making the transition from college to the professional level.

Thomas had spurts where it clicked in the run game, but he was often unable to get to the right assignment in the run game, and potential positive plays turn to no gain and negative plays.

Thomas had a great rookie season as a pass option for quarterback Deshaun Watson, and a big target in the red zone. He played in all 16 games of the regular season and started in ten games in his first season in the NFL. Thomas finished the season with 20 receptions for 215 passing yards and an average of 10.8 receiving yards per reception.

Thomas accounted for all four of the touchdown receptions the group of tight ends had in the regular season; he ended tied second on the team in touchdown receptions with wide receiver Will Fuller, only Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had more touchdown receptions with 11.