Andre Roberts is dangerous.
In each of the last three seasons, the Texans receiver/return man has been selected to the Pro Bowl. He's averaged 10.7 yards per punt return and 28.7 yards per kickoff return in that span. He has five career return touchdowns in 11 NFL seasons. Houston's hoping he adds to that total in his 12th year.
"Any player that's at the return game, you want to be able to attack aggressively," Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross said. "Just watching the course of his career, especially in the kickoff and punt return game that he's had, even as a ball carrier on offense, but especially in the return game, runs aggressively, attacks downhill, finishes runs as a returner. You just love to see that. Playing against him multiple times in our past, he's been a spot that, 'hey, this is an emphasis. We have to cover this guy.'"
Roberts spent the past two seasons in Buffalo, and begin his career with the Cardinals in 2010. After three seasons with Arizona, he spent two years with Washington, and then had 1-year stops in Detroit, Atlanta and then New York with the Jets.
That 2018 campaign with the Jets was his finest, as he led the NFL with 14.1 yards per punt return. He was a first-team All-Pro selection that year as well.
Last season, the Texans used a variety of return men for punts and kickoffs, and mustered 7.9 yards per on punts, and 20.1 yards per kickoff. By comparison, Roberts was good for 9.9 yards per punt return in 2020, and a League-best 30 yards per kickoff return.
On offense, Roberts has 15 touchdown catches in his career, and has averaged 11.7 yards per catch.
Houston concluded Organized Team Activities (OTAs) last week, and will begin training camp in late July at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
