Still Needing Tight End Help, Texans Host Ohio State Standout

HOUSTON — To orchestrate new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s scheme, the Houston Texans have to be prepared to improve at tight finish. Though free company has but to finish, Houston’s consideration on the place probably turns to the draft.

Maybe a latest go to provides a sign on the path the Texans are headed.

Based on multiple reports, the Texans lately hosted Ohio State tight finish Jeremy Ruckert as one of many their top-30 visits. Ruckert is taken into account by some to be a top-three tight finish within the class due to his well-rounded fashion of play. 

A 3-year starter for the Buckeyes, Ruckert performs the normal tight finish position. He primarily lined up in a three-point stance and would work upfield on short-to-intermediate routes. 

Jeremy Ruckert 

Jeremy Ruckert 

Jeremy Ruckert 

What actually stands out about Ruckert is his willingness to dam. For many of his time at Ohio State, the offense catered to receivers and operating backs within the passing sport. This meant that Ruckert made most of his development by way of in-line blocking. 

Throughout his three seasons because the staff’s major tight finish, the Buckeyes featured two 1,000-yard rushers, together with a 2,000-yard season from present Baltimore Ravens operating again J.Okay. Dobbins in 2019. As a receiver, Ruckert’s greatest season got here in 2021 when he recorded 26 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns. 

For his profession, Ruckert averaged 11.4 yards per catch. All 12 of his touchdowns have been within the pink zone, making him a viable risk from contained in the 20-yard line on the subsequent degree. 

Houston’s tight finish woes have been considerably addressed in free company. The Texans re-signed Pharaoh Brown and Antony Auclair to one-year offers, and still have 2021 fifth-round choose Brevin Jordan nonetheless on the roster. 

Brown struggled with consistency and drops, however served as the normal tight finish in Houston’s offense underneath former coordinator Tim Kelly. Auclair primarily is simply used on blocking downs. Jordan grew to become a staple within the pink zone for Davis Mills down the stretch, recording three touchdowns within the remaining six video games of the common season. 

Jeremy Ruckert 

Jeremy Ruckert 

Jeremy Ruckert 

“Brevin is fairly versatile in what he can do. He is most likely not the perfect inline Y,” Texans coach Lovie Smith mentioned on the NFL Mix final month. “So, with that mixture of, to reply your query, I imagine in having a number of tight ends. Another of a Y. Different one the transfer man, after which that third man form of a mixture of each.” 

Ruckert is a projected third- or fourth-round choice, in accordance with a number of scouts. The Texans have two picks in every of the these respective rounds, and 11 picks whole getting into the draft later this month.