Houston Texans: Questions remain in regard to Jordan Akins' role

The Houston Texans drafted Jordan Akins in the third round of this season’s draft but questions remain in regard to his role on the team. Let’s examine.

The Houston Texans continue to reel off the wins as if they’re going out of style while their impressive streak continues. I would’ve never dreamed in a million years that the Houston Texans were going to be able to sustain such a feat for so long. Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy for it because it has elevated and instilled confidence in this team to be one of the best in the league.

This team is only one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs to have the best record in the AFC, certainly something I hadn’t envisioned when this team was mired in a 0-3 start. But being the first team to ever complete such a feat after an 0-3 start, will give this season a trademark to remember as time goes on, regardless of how this team finishes.

Although not perfect, the Houston Texans have remained relatively healthy and their in-game strategy seems to be at a point to where players are not making mistakes that are costing the team wins.

That’s what’s paramount and I couldn’t be prouder of what’s going at this time.

But as this team continues its ascent into the AFC heavens, there’s one player that the Houston Texans have made a significant investment in, yet he’s not being used as much as I thought he was.

Who am I talking about?

None other than tight end Jordan Akins.

When Akins was drafted in the third around out of UCF back last Spring, I had some excitement in regard to his speed/athleticism that he’d bring to the table when brought into the fold.

But as this team goes into the final month of the season, I still have questions in regard to what exactly Akins’ role is on this team. He’ll probably tell you that I’m here to do anything that I’m asked but my inquisitive side still wonders what.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Akins is the 2nd-most targeted tight end (18) behind Ryan Griffin (31) with 6th-rounder Jordan Thomas (16) closely following. We know that Thomas’ role is strictly for the red-zone at this juncture and that’s perfectly fine for me. He has done an amazing job, catching his targets when called upon with four touchdown catches to his credit.

However, Griffin has nearly twice as many targets but yet has the lowest catch percentage (48.4). Thomas and Akins have an 87.5 and 72.2 catch percentage respectively.

He’s not much of a blocker — at least just yet — but has had flashes of brilliance when the moment has preceded him. The Texans knew this when they picked him so I think they’re going to wait for that aspect of his game to hopefully come around. Akins has a gaudy 32.6 passing grade

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while Griffin has netted a slightly-better but still lackluster 54.4, while Thomas has a tight-end leading 57.4 grade.

Here’s the tight end snap counts for the season thus far:

Griffin: 532

Thomas: 385

Akins: 304

It’s possible that Bill O’Brien is just inserting him in situations that he feels more comfortable in but I’m just hopeful that the team is not wasteful of such raw talent that’s waiting to just ooze out.

I’d love to see Akins be utilized as well as targeted more because it could have even more positive results.

I know that the Texans are 9-3 on the season and ultimately this notion hasn’t had an overall effect of their success but it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of why he isn’t being used more in this robust offense.

We’ll have to see but my hopes are still high for Akins’ success in this league.

Next. Deshaun Watson's use of play-action has yielded positive results. dark

Akins has caught 13 balls for 153 yards — 11.7 yards per catch — with zero touchdowns through all 12 games — three starts — in 2018.

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Houston Texans: Questions remain in regard to Jordan Akins’ role

By Brian K. Patterson | Dec 3, 2018

The Houston Texans drafted Jordan Akins in the third round of this season’s draft but questions remain in regard to his role on the team. Let’s examine.

More from House of Houston