Houston Texans: Izzy Matthews a player to keep tabs on moving forward
With OTAs underway and rookie minicamp in the rearview mirror, the countdown to training camp has begun for the Houston Texans.
Houston Texans used the draft and free agency to address the two largest positions of need, offensive line and the secondary. Despite the progress that has been made to these two groups, there is still a position of need for the Texans, that being running back.
Enter Izzy Matthews, an undrafted free agent who received a rookie minicamp invite from Houston following the conclusion of the NFL Draft. Matthews failed to receive a contract offer from Houston at the close of camp, but the Colorado State product should not be ignored.
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Although listed as the starter, Matthews played in a crowded backfield at Colorado State. In spite of this, he was productive when he saw the field. Matthews recorded 717 rushing yards over 166 attempts. He finished his time at Colorado State with just over 2,600 career rushing yards.
Matthews is also a threat in the flats and out of the backfield. He was the Rams fifth-leading receiver last season catching 27 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Throughout Matthew’s senior season, he was also used in one more key role, that being as a blocking back. Matthew excels at using his body to create great leverage matchups to beat bigger defenders. Matthews has a good frame at 6’0” and 210 pounds,
His resume may be enough to secure a training camp invite in the future. Especially, since Houston is to improve their depth. When Lamar Miller joined Houston via free agency in 2016, he was expected to fill the gap left by longtime starter Arian Foster. In his three years with the Texans, Miller has only gone over 1,000 yards once. Miller was 27 yards shy of hitting that goal in 2018.
D’onta Foreman is entering his third year with Houston. The Texas native is coming back from a torn Achilles that he suffered during his rookie campaign. Prior to his injury, Foreman saw the field in 10 games, going for 327 yards on 78 attempts. Forman saw the field late last season but failed to produce any productive yards, finishing the season with negative one yard on seven attempts.
Alfred Blue’s departure creates an opportunity for one, or two, of these running backs to step up and potentially make the roster. Running back Buddy Howell was able to make the team last season thanks to special teams contributions. The fourth back will have to contribute on special teams to make a place for themselves.
Outside of the previously mentioned backs, there are four other backs are Damarea Crockett and Josh Ferguson, Karan Higdon Jr., and Taiwan Jones. With seven total running backs on the roster, Matthews chances of receiving a training camp invite are slim. Crockett recorded 709 yards on 147 attempts in his final season with Missouri.
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Matthews has a resume that should earn himself a training camp invite. The roster, however, is no guarantee. With massive question marks hanging over the top two presumed backs, Miller and Foreman, one of the previously mentioned backs should make Houston’s roster.