DeVier

Posey

A smooth route runner that lacks burst, Posey was suspended 5 games during his senior season at Ohio State. After two straight seasons with over 50 catches, Posey only accumulated 12 last season. After an average Senior Bowl performance, Posey showed faster than expected straight line speed at the Combine when he posted an official 4.50 forty time. The Texans are getting a reliable and consistent option when on the field, but nothing spectacular.

Coach Gary Kubiak has publicly thrown his support behind Jones, but the 28-year-old (in July) has become a luxury as a $3 million punt returner. If the Texans can’t find a taker, Jones could even be released. This news suggests Houston is comfortable projecting Posey as the No. 3 receiver to enter the season.

Now a decidedly run-heavy team, Houston doesn’t utilize the slot receiver as much as most clubs. Third-rounder DeVier Posey, on the other hand, was drafted to “challenge to be the No. 3 receiver, and perhaps a No. 2 within a year.” Posey could end up battling Lestar Jean for the third receiver role this summer.

The Texans shopped Jones hard during draft weekend, but predictably found no takers for his $3 million salary. Jones then asked for his release on Monday. Although the coaching staff had a soft spot for Jones, he wrote his ticket out of town with a mistake-filled game in the Texans’ playoff loss at Baltimore. Rookies DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin will likely vie for the No. 3 role in Houston. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens, who hosted similar player Ted Ginn on a free agent visit, kick Jones’ tires as a return specialist. The Louisiana native could also draw a look from the Saints.

Martin is a quick-twitch slot receiver with terrific short-area quickness and straight-line speed, and he’s pushing Lestar Jean for work in three-wide sets. More so than third-rounder DeVier Posey, Martin is a candidate for rookie snaps on offense. Posey is working as the second-team “Z,” behind Kevin Walter.

Posey was one of the rawest players on the field during spring practices, and he’s continued to develop slowly in camp and preseason games. Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed that Posey is on the third-team offense: “I just think that it has taken him a little bit more time to get going with the offense, so to speak.”

Although Houston carried Johnson on the roster for all 16 games last year, he managed just six catches for 90 yards while playing 17 percent of the snaps. It speaks volumes about the state of Roy Williams’ career that Johnson was the preferred option after Thursday’s workout. Johnson will only stay on the roster if Lestar Jean and/or DeVier Posey fail to emerge in August. Jean remains the favorite for the third receiver job.

Credit the Chronicle’s Lance Zierlein for nailing this one from the get-go. While the Texans are high on Lestar Jean, he’s better suited to the outside behind Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter whereas Martin’s quickness and hands are ideal for the slot. A favorite of NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell, Martin has been “outstanding” in OTAs, minicamp and now training camp. The former Michigan State star is skyrocketing up the Dynasty rookie ranks, but remains a long shot for redraft value in Houston’s run-oriented offense.

It’s worth noting that Posey appeared in just three games as a college senior due to suspensions, so he hasn’t played a whole lot of football lately. “All these young guys need to get to where you can go all day in this Texas heat,” Kubiak explained. “They think they’re okay until they get down here. When that gets better, (Posey’s) talents will continue to take over.”

Kubiak likes Posey’s talent, but already questioned his conditioning once and has reportedly “hollered at” the rookie more than any player during pre-training camp workouts. “He’s inconsistent,” Kubiak said of Posey. “He missed a year of football, which you can tell. ... We have to get him caught up.”