A look at how all eight Texans draft picks are faring after three weeks of camp.
Sarah BarshopESPN Staff Writer
A breakdown of the
Houston Texans' 2018 draft class and its progress after three weeks of training camp:
Justin Reid, S, Round 3: Reid is competing with veteran
Kareem Jackson to start at safety alongside
Tyrann Mathieu. Regardless of whether he begins the season as the starter, he will be on the field often. Mathieu said Reid has stood out to him in camp and noted his on-field sharpness.
Martinas Rankin, T, Round 3: Rankin missed more than three weeks to start training camp while on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. His absence meant he did not have the chance to compete for the starting job at right tackle, but the coaching staff has been happy with his progress learning the system.
Jordan Akins, TE, Round 3: Akins will likely back up starting tight end
Ryan Griffin this season. He had a good game in the preseason opener, catching two touchdown passes from backup quarterback
Brandon Weeden.
Keke Coutee, WR, Round 4: Coutee has missed most of camp because of an injury, but he impressed the coaching staff in offseason workouts. He has drawn praise from
Deshaun Watson and
DeAndre Hopkins, and should see quite a bit of playing time in the slot once he returns to practice.
Duke Ejiofor, DE, Round 6: Ejiofor missed the offseason program while rehabbing from a shoulder injury but "really improved" during training camp, according to coach Bill O'Brien. Ejiofor stood out in the first preseason game against the Chiefs with three quarterback hits. If the Texans suffer any injuries to their pass rush, Ejiofor would get the first shot to impress in reserve.
Jordan Thomas, TE, Round 6: Thomas is likely to be the team's third tight end. Early in camp, O'Brien said he thought Thomas has "actually done a decent job blocking relative to being a young player -- better than I thought he would do." If he can keep that up, Thomas could see action in two-tight-end sets in running situations.
THE REST OF THE STORY