The Texans tight end group is athletic, and in the last two years it's gotten younger.
Even though his head coach said Kahale Warring is "not there yet", the tight end had a solid first day on the job.
Warring, a third round selection from San Diego State, hit the field inside the Houston Methodist Training Center with his fellow rookies on Friday. Bill O'Brien said Warring "had a pretty good day today, just for Day 1 out here", and thinks Warring shares many of the same qualities athletically with his position group.
"Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins and Kahale, they're big good athletes," O'Brien said. "They can run. They can catch. They're smart."
Veterans Ryan Griffin and Darren Fells are also in the mix, with skillsets that are intriguing on the physical side.
"There are guys that are really athletic for their size, and do a nice job of understanding our offense," O'Brien said.
Surrounding quarterback Deshaun Watson with weapons, and also protecting him, has been a key objective for Brian Gaine in his time as general manager. The past two drafts have seen him and the Texans add a trio of tight ends to help with that in Akins, Thomas and Warring.
Blocking is important to all that, and O'Brien explained what the Texans saw with Warring.
"We thought that he had a really good chance to learn how to block, and the toughness to block, and the willingness to block," O'Brien said. "I think that's one of the keys: having the willingness to block. If you have that and you get the technique down, then you'll be able to do it."
The Texans selected San Diego State TE Kahale Warring in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft at 86th overall. (via AP Images)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring, center, reacts after scoring a two-point conversion during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring (87) catches a pass in front of Stanford linebacker Sean Barton (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
15 September 2018: The Aztecs are tied 14-14 with the Sun Devils at the half at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego, California.
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday, March. 2, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs a passing drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday, March. 2, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring poses for a headshot during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring warms-up during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring participates in the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
