Jordan

Thomas

The massive tight end (6'5" and 278 pounds), spent some time on the Cardinals’ practice squad this season before being released. Last year, Thomas was the presumed starting tight end for Houston before suffering a string of injuries that foiled his season. In 2018, Thomas caught 20 of 27 targets for 215 yards and four touchdowns. He joins a Patriots team without much tight end depth.

The gigantic tight end (6'5" and 278 pounds) who drew praise from Houston head coach Bill O’Brien in August will join the practice squad of a team without much depth at tight end. Thomas started ten games for Houston in 2018, drawing 27 targets and scoring four touchdowns.

“Came back in great shape. He’s really lost a lot of weight, running good, catching the ball, blocking, so he’s got to keep it going,” O’Brien said. Thomas opened last year’s training camp in a starting role but played behind Darren Fells and Jordan Akins when he returned from IR in November. The Texans also have 2019 third-rounder Kahale Warring on their roster, but Thomas shouldn’t be in danger of getting cut.

The No. 211 overall pick of the 2018 draft, Thomas made some rookie noise, catching 20 passes, but he is returning as a distant No. 3 on the depth chart behind Darren Fells and Jordan Akins.

Thomas was expected to serve as the Texans’ starting tight end in 2019. They’re now expected to turn to Jordan Akins and Darren Fells, as third-round rookie TE Kahale Warring as also been placed on injured reserve. Still, Deshaun Watson hasn’t made a habit of targeting his tight ends in his short career, so the position will remain a thin play in all fantasy formats moving forward.

Thomas missed the last week of training camp and Houston’s preseason opener. He was working as the starting tight end before going down. The missed reps have set him back, but Thomas looks on track to return for Saturday’s game with the Lions.

With Ryan Griffin no longer around, the Texans are relying on youth to step up at tight end. A sixth-round sophomore, Thomas appears to be getting the first crack after catching 20 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns last year, but he could be pushed by 2018 third-rounder Jordan Akins and third-round rookie Kahale Warring. Houston’s tight ends were not a source of consistent production last season, but there is some sleeper appeal here in a good passing game if someone is able to win the job outright.

His 11-yard touchdown was the lone offensive touchdown for the Texans on the day and the fourth touchdown that Thomas has scored on the season. The rookie tight end has stepped up as one of the team’s top red zone options over the past five weeks, but is still a touchdown dependent fantasy option, catching more than two passes in just two games on the season. The Texans host the Colts in Week 14.

The sixth-round rookie entered the evening with four grabs on the year. He was only featured because Ryan Griffin (illness) was sidelined. With Griffin’s status uncertain and Will Fuller and Keke Coutee both banged up, Thomas could have Week 9 TE2 appeal against the Broncos, who have struggled up the seam.

Thomas now has three touchdowns in two weeks. Without Keke Coutee (hamstring) available in the slot, the Texans primarily leaned on multiple tight end sets, allowing Thomas to stay on the field with Ryan Griffin. Thomas still only saw one target on the day, though, so he need not be considered a viable option unless Griffin sits out again.