NFL Draft 2018 Round 3: Houston Texans Select TE Jordan Akins
The Houston Texans have selected Jordan Akins in Round 3 — 98th pick — in the NFL Draft. How will this have an effect on the team as a whole? What about potential? Let’s take a look and examine further.
With the 98th pick in Round 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select:
The Houston Texans dug deep by snagging the athletically-gifted and speedy 6’3,” 249-pound tight end with 33.5″ arms and 9.25″ hands out of the University of Central Florida.
What’s there to say about Akins? He truly is a pass-catcher in an offense that certainly needs more players of that particular attribute. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, Akins dropped only 10 of his 93 catchable targets within his entire career with UCF.
That’s the attribute that stands out the most about me as if he has permanent stick-ems embedded in those sizable hands of his. He graded out at a 84.8 for the 2017 and was ranked 6th among tight ends by PFF as well. His 14.7 yards per completed pass in last three seasons — his most productive — that he caught also has me drooling at the thought of being able to see a tight-end — or whatever they want to call him — of his caliber.
Think about it — we’ve never had a tight end quite like Akins. Owen Daniels is the greatest that
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we’ve ever had with C.J. Fiedorowicz having those flashes of potential but if he pans out — and that’s still a BIG IF — maybe Akins could add his name to the Mt. Rushmore of Houston Texans tight ends. I may be stretching that notion quite a bit but it doesn’t help to dream because we have no choice as fans to see this through!
He’s also a solid route-runner, ranked 3rd among eligible tight ends by PFF, racking up 1.93 yards per route.
Yes, I’m aware that there will be many who will torch this pick as many in the draft community had him being a 7th-rounder or an undrafted free agent.
I honestly liked Jaylen Samuels over Akins but it’s likely his 5’11” frame that’s holding his stock back in the draft. There’s no doubt that he’s on the Texans’ radar, especially if he falls to a point to where the team can invest stock to draft him.
But Bill O’Brien apparently fell in love with Akins and that’s why they felt he was right guy to take at tight end. His weaknesses certainly are his run-blocking but with the additions made to the offensive line in free agency as well as fellow third-rounder Martinas Rankin, the coaching staff may feel that’s not necessarily a disqualification for being on their draft board. Hell, I’m sure they didn’t even expect Justin Reid to be available either!
Here’s what the experts had to say about Akins:
John McClain of the Chron:
O’Brien said they’re excited about what TE Jordan Akins can do in the passing game. That could mean they’ll look for a blocking TE with one of their 5 picks Saturday.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) April 28, 2018
"“Akins signed with the Knights coming out of high school, but decided to try pro baseball instead. The Texas Rangers drafted him in the third round of the 2010 amateur draft. He struggled to make hay in four years in the minor leagues before finally enrolling at UCF in 2014. He played receiver in his first season, catching 12 passes for 135 yards.In 2015, he played three games before a torn ACL ended his year (14 receptions, 152 yards, two TD; six att., 149 yards on kickoff returns; two att., 15 yards on punt returns). While rehabbing his knee, Akins got stronger to move to tight end.The change paid off as he started seven of 13 games played, catching 23 balls for 347 yards and two scores in 2016. He took another step forward in 2017, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors for starting 12 games and catching 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns for the undefeated Knights.Akins is 25 years old and has a one-year-old daughter that lives in Minnesota with his girlfriend in order to stay close to her family.”"
So with that being said, the Texans might not be done at tight end with this pick. But the possibility that he could be such a incredible weapon on offense solidifies the reason why the team made this move.
Next: Texans select OL Martinas Rankin in 3rd round
Let’s keep our eyes peeled!
Akins caught 81 balls for 1,149 yards — 14.2 yards per catch — along with eight touchdowns in his four-season career with the Golden Knights.