Through five game the Houston Texans sit at 4-1. That record has been achieved with the help of five solid rookie performers.
The first rookie has played almost exclusively as the Texans return man. WR Charlton Ragland went undrafted out of Florida Atlantic. The Texans saw great potential in the speed that Ragland possessed and wanted to give him a chance. He has not disappointed. In the last game against the Colts he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 77 yard punt return. Through five games he is averaging 20 yards per punt return. He is also averaging over 27 yards per kick return and has a long of 51 yards.
In the second round of the last draft the Texans selected TE Russel Herron out of Auburn. He has provided a big, consistent target for Brock Osweiler. With good hands and decent speed, Herron has been able to carve out a role in the offense. He has 17 receptions for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns. Alongside Herron on the offense, HB Tavadis Doucet has played the important role of relieving star running back Lamar Miller. After a great preseason performance the Texans decided to keep the undrafted free agent from Central Michigan University. On the season he has 37 carries for 116 yards and has yet to reach the endzone, but it will come soon enough.
The biggest surprise of the rookie class has been the performance of CB Jaquante Tatum. Another undrafted free agent, Tatum came to the Texans by way of Stanford University. The Texans were looking for a CB to start across from veteran Johnoathan Joseph and they found it. With good size at 6'1, Tatum possessed the speed and ball skills to compete right away. He has already recorded 2 interceptions on the year to go along with 18 tackles. DT Dirone Leary rounds out the rookie class for the Texans. The first round pick out of the University of Southern California has clogged the middle since day one. Playing predominately nose guard in the Texans 3-4 scheme, Leary has been a rock in the middle of the third ranked defense against the run. Leary has 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack on the season.
The future is looking bright for the Texans!
The first rookie has played almost exclusively as the Texans return man. WR Charlton Ragland went undrafted out of Florida Atlantic. The Texans saw great potential in the speed that Ragland possessed and wanted to give him a chance. He has not disappointed. In the last game against the Colts he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 77 yard punt return. Through five games he is averaging 20 yards per punt return. He is also averaging over 27 yards per kick return and has a long of 51 yards.
In the second round of the last draft the Texans selected TE Russel Herron out of Auburn. He has provided a big, consistent target for Brock Osweiler. With good hands and decent speed, Herron has been able to carve out a role in the offense. He has 17 receptions for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns. Alongside Herron on the offense, HB Tavadis Doucet has played the important role of relieving star running back Lamar Miller. After a great preseason performance the Texans decided to keep the undrafted free agent from Central Michigan University. On the season he has 37 carries for 116 yards and has yet to reach the endzone, but it will come soon enough.
The biggest surprise of the rookie class has been the performance of CB Jaquante Tatum. Another undrafted free agent, Tatum came to the Texans by way of Stanford University. The Texans were looking for a CB to start across from veteran Johnoathan Joseph and they found it. With good size at 6'1, Tatum possessed the speed and ball skills to compete right away. He has already recorded 2 interceptions on the year to go along with 18 tackles. DT Dirone Leary rounds out the rookie class for the Texans. The first round pick out of the University of Southern California has clogged the middle since day one. Playing predominately nose guard in the Texans 3-4 scheme, Leary has been a rock in the middle of the third ranked defense against the run. Leary has 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack on the season.
The future is looking bright for the Texans!