Houston Texans have begun the process of signing their draft selections ahead of their rookie minicamp.
Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine and the front office have started the process of signing their rookie players that were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Texans have signed first-round offensive tackle Tytus Howard from Alabama State to an NFL deal. Howard was drafted with the 23rd overall pick of the draft and is expected to contribute early to the Texans offensive line and protect quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Texans have also signed their second-round draft selections Kentucky cornerback, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Northern Illinois offensive tackle, Max Scharping, to their rookie scale NFL contracts. Johnson and Scharping are both expected to contribute in their rookie season with the Texans’ need to upgrade both positions entering the 2019 season.
Gaine has also signed their mid-level to late round draft picks to rookie deals. Texans have signed Texas edge rusher Charles Omenihu, Central Michigan cornerback Xavier Crawford, and Texas A&M fullback Cullen Gillaspia. All three players drafted late in the process are expected to take part in the Texans upcoming rookie minicamp and expected to be in Gaine’s plans in the long term.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle revealed the deals the Texans have signed with their incoming draft class.
OT Tytus Howard's $12.22M deal is fully guaranteed. CB Lonnie Johnson got $5.24M ($3.03M gt), OT Max Scharping $5.06M ($2.92M gt), DE Charles Omenihu $2.81M ($296,404 SB), CB Xavier Crawford $2.68M ($165.196 SB) and FB Cullen Gillaspia $2.62M ($103,552 SB).
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) May 10, 2019
Texans have yet to sign San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring to an NFL rookie contract, but he is another player the team is high on and expect him to upgrade the group of tight ends. Drafted in the third round, Warring is the third tight end Gaine has drafted in his first two drafts. The Texans have placed an emphasis on improving their production from the tight end position, and have revamped the position with Gaine as the new general manager.