The Houston Texans entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear plan to improve an offense that ranked just 19th in yards per play (5.2) despite having rising quarterback C.J. Stroud. They needed more weapons and a better offensive line, so they spent their first three picks addressing those spots.
Houston has been active in the undrafted free agency market as well, doing what's necessary to help the roster take that leap next postseason.
Among their undrafted musings is one intriguing, hulking player they invited to rookie minicamp who could have value both as a receiver and blocker down the line.
Large human incoming for a camp invite for the Houston Texans. https://t.co/DUhS95l0Wz
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) April 27, 2025
Texans Invite Huge TE Prospect Mason Tharp to Rookie Minicamp
Houston has reportedly extended a rookie minicamp invitation to former Texas Tech tight end Mason Tharp. At 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds, hehiss size is the biggest draw, though he's shown pass-catching chops as well in a limited role. Tharp caught 57 passes for 614 yards and nine TDs during his career, and he has the ability to stretch the field with a large catch radius.
He'll have the opportunity to earn a 90-man roster spot after minicamp. Admittedly, Tharp is facing an uphill battle, though the Texans obviously want to get a better look at the local prospect. Tharp didn't get the chance to showcase much of a route tree and never had more than 13 catches in a season, but it's easy to envision him as a red-zone threat in certain packages.
The Texans have Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, and Irv Smith Jr. on the depth chart and seventh-round rookie Luke Lachey figures to get some looks. That's a mediocre tight end room that could use some juice. Tharp likely wouldn't help things in 2025, though some time on the practice squad may lead to some sort of role in 2026 and beyond.
It's wise for teams to invest developmental resources in players with unique traits like what Tharp has with his size. Perhaps things don't work out, but Texans are still making a good decision by seeing what happens at minicamp.