Top 10 Tight Ends in Houston Texans History

The tight end is a dynamic position. Players can be used to block, catch passes, or even just act as a decoy. Coaches and teams can use them in a variety of ways. Sometimes, when everyone is covered, the tight end can even end up serving as a safety blanket for the quarterback.

Many teams have had at least one great tight end in their history. Some, like the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos, have a rich and deep history at the position. While Houston doesn’t have a lot of depth at tight end due to a short franchise history, they still have several players who have made a name for themselves.

Some players at the bottom of the rankings haven’t made much of a splash. But each featured player deserves their spot on this list for unique reasons.

The first thing to consider when comparing players is their stats. Things like receptions, yards, and touchdowns play a big role. We also looked at starts, winning percentage and playoff wins, as well as appearances. These things help set players apart, and the more consistent a player is, the more likely they are to improve.

Finally, being a fan favorite is important because it usually means you were doing pretty well, as was the team’s success while you were on the roster.

10. Billy Miller

Billy Miller began his career with the Denver Broncos, but found his way to the Texans when they debuted in 2002. He has a long history in Houston as he scored the first touchdown in Texans history.

He started 48 games for the Texans and had 108 receptions for 1,146 yards. He also managed to score seven touchdowns, which is the most he has ever scored for one team. During his three years in Houston, he managed to record 62 first downs.

His best game came in the Texans’ seventh game of the 2002 season. He rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, helping the team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 21–19.

9. Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz looked to be a quality player for the Texans in 2023. After playing five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he arrived in Houston and gave rookie quarterback CJ Stroud an extra weapon to use. He has proven to be a big reason for the Texans’ success.

Despite only playing one season in Houston so far, he already ranks ninth among all tight ends in franchise history in receiving yards and touchdowns, recording 59 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns. He should continue to climb the list if he stays with the Texans and continues to play at a similar level.

8. James Casey

James Casey started his career in Houston and stayed there for most of his career. With only 66 receptions, he managed to record 752 yards and four touchdowns from 2009 to 2012. On a few occasions, he also played fullback due to his size (6’3″, 230 lbs).

Primarily used as a blocking tight end, he brought stability to the offensive line. Because of that, he helped the Texans reach the playoffs twice, but had just four receptions for 49 yards in the postseason.

7. Ryan Griffin

Ryan Griffin spent six seasons with the Texans organization from 2013-18. He is the Texans’ third-leading tight end in receiving yards with 1,491. He was reliable every time he was on the field, whether he was receiving or blocking. At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, he was dominant on the line when needed.

In 2015, 2016 and 2018, Griffin helped the Texans make the playoffs, where he recorded seven receptions for 64 yards in four total games.

6. Darren Fells

It’s hard to use statistics to show Darren Fells’ importance. He stood 6’3″ and weighed 270 pounds, and you wouldn’t expect someone his size to be used much in the passing game. But he did have receiving yards and touchdowns in his two seasons with the Texans, recording 653 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019 and 2020.

His presence was always felt by every player on the team. He had that “dog” mentality and never turned down a challenge from his coach or teammate. He also made the playoffs in one of his two seasons in Houston, advancing to the divisional round after rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown.

5. Jordan Akins

Jordan Akins has played five of his six seasons with the Texans in the NFL. After being drafted out of UCF in 2018, he made a name for himself with his performance in Week 3 of 2019. He had one of the best performances by a Texans tight end, recording three receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Throughout his career in Houston, he was known as “that guy.” If you asked him to do something, he did it. He made a lot of key blocks, something he also did in college, and threw for 1,887 yards and eight touchdowns.

4. Garrett Graham

Garrett Graham caught 100 passes in his six-year career, accumulating 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he was one of the best players in 2013 when he started 11 games while catching 49 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns. Blocking stats are hard to come by, but he’d probably do well if they existed. He consistently created opportunities for running plays and excelled in pass-blocking series.

Although he was overshadowed by stars like JJ Watt and Owen Daniels, Graham should be considered one of the best TE2s in NFL history.

3. Joel Dreessen

Originally drafted by the New York Jets, Joel Dreessen joined the Texans in his sophomore season and stayed with the team for five years before joining the Denver Broncos. During his time in Houston, he caught 105 passes for 1,323 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Along with Owen Daniels, he played a pivotal role in the Texans’ 2011 season, as they won the division and went 10-6. That year, the two tight ends combined for 1,030 receiving yards.

Dreessen, who left as a free agent in 2012, was among those who left Houston for Denver before Bill O’Brien’s tenure began.

2. CJ Fiedorowicz

Drafted by the Texans in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Iowa, otherwise known as “Tight End U,” CJ Fiedorowicz was the classic, hard-working Mike Ditka-esque tight end. He was rugged, seemingly unstoppable, and tough. He started 42 games during his four years with the Texans, racking up 89 receptions for 881 yards and six touchdowns, along with countless crushing blocks on defenders.

Known as one of the toughest tight ends in Texans history, Fiedorowicz’s career ended abruptly when he was placed on injured reserve in his fourth season after suffering his third concussion of the year. He announced his retirement a few months later.

1. Owen Daniels

Just as Arian Foster reigned supreme on the running backs list, Owen Daniels reigns supreme on this one.

Much like Kevin Walter among receivers, Daniels has been a reliable target for Matt Schaub and other Texans quarterbacks during his eight years in Houston. Over his career, he has caught 385 passes for 4,617 yards and 29 touchdowns while displaying plenty of craftiness and crucial blocking.

Like Garrett Graham and JJ Watt, Daniels hails from Wisconsin, where he earned the nickname “Ol’ Sure Hands” for his near-superhuman catching abilities, which translated well to the NFL.

After leaving the Texans to join Gary Kubiak in Baltimore (and then Denver), Daniels played a pivotal role in the Broncos’ run to the Super Bowl in 2015. He caught two crucial passes in Denver’s AFC Championship Game victory over New England, and he capped his career with the honor of catching Peyton Manning’s final touchdown pass, though it’s a shame Manning didn’t throw it in Texans red.

While Daniels is the only player to rise to the top of this list, other players like Stephen Anderson deserve honorable mention. Perhaps Jordan Akins will continue to evolve and eventually claim the TE1 spot. But for now, No. 81 reigns as the king of the hill.