Jay

Prosch

The deal includes $2.7 million guaranteed. Prosch has just 42 career carries and two catches, but has emerged as a capable lead blocker. Heading into his age-25 season, Prosch was the No. 211 overall pick of the 2014 draft.

A traditional lead blocker, Prosch has a clear path to starting duties in Houston. He’ll also have a role on special teams if he cracks the 53-man roster.

Prosch (6-foot 3/4, 256) spent his first two college seasons at Illinois before finishing up as a two-year starter for the Tigers, all told handling 14 career carries with 11 catches. As a senior, Prosch was strictly a lead blocker for Tre Mason. He ran 4.72 with a 32-inch vertical at Auburn’s Pro Day, pumping 27 reps on the bench. Prosch is a traditional lead blocker with special teams value.

The NFL has mostly done away with fullbacks in recent years but Prosch’s release is still a mild surprise after he agreed to a three-year, $5.75 million extension last summer. The 26-year-old nabbed four catches for 31 yards over 148 offensive snaps for Houston last year.