Heading into Year 4, Jordan Akins is the seasoned veteran of the Houston Texans tight ends group.
Last season, Akins recorded 403 yards receiving and scored one touchdown in 13 games. His 37 receptions set a career high for the year, despite missing three games.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly has been a big part of Akins' development since the Texans drafted the tight end with the fourth-pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Kelly served as the Texans Tight Ends Coach during Akins' rookie campaign in 2018. Akins caught 17 passes for 225 yards that season, averaging 13.2 yards per reception with Kelly as his position coach.
"As far as Jordan Akins' ability after the catch, I think that's one of the best things that he does," Kelly said. "He's a very strong runner. He's got great play strength, so you see him able to break tackles and turn a three-yard checkdown into a 16-yard chunk play. That's something that Jordan's been able to do here throughout his career."
Like much of the roster, the Houston Texans tight ends have added a number of new players this offseason. The position group of seven includes veterans Jordan Akins, Pharaoh Brown and Kahale Warring, free agent additions Paul Quessenberry, Ryan Izzo and Antony Auclair and 2021 fifth-round draft pick Brevin Jordan.
"The competitive situations are going to occur in training camp, but right now there's nothing that these guys can't do that I'm not used to seeing from a tight end room," Tight Ends Coach Andy Bischoff said. "Specifically Jordan, he's a veteran guy. He acknowledges his strengths and he acknowledges his weaknesses and he wants to get better. He's been nothing but a real pro and a welcome student to what I'm trying to get done."
The Texans will report for training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center on July 27.
