So the tight-end room deserves attention heading into 2025. Caley's arrival as OC brings significant changes to how this position will function in the offense. His tight-end development from his time with the Pats and Rams - he coached Gronkowski, before working with Henry, Jonnu Smith and servedas the Rams' pass game coordinator. His background shows indications of how he may deploy Houston's current personnel. Tight-end types There are three primary tight end designations in modern NFL offenses - Y tight-end Traditional in-line tight end who aligns next to tackles. Must block effectively in both run and pass protection while offering receiving capability. Primary responsibility is blocking. F tight-end Move tight end who specializes in receiving. Typically more athletic with route-running ability. Often aligns in slot, backfield, or out wide. Limited blocking responsibilities. H-Back/Fullback Hybrid tight end who aligns in backfield or moves pre-snap. Must be physical blocker and short-area receiver. Primarily used in run schemes and play-action. Current Roster Dalton Schultz - Y/F hybrid Schultz provides reliable production as a receiver without being spectacular. In 2024, he continued his consistent production with 5+ TDs for the third straight season. His value comes from positional flexibility rather than elite skills in any area. Schultz lacks dominant blocking ability but shows adequate technique. His route running is clean but lacks separation creation against man coverage. Expect Caley to use Schultz in traditional alignments with occasional slot deployment against favorable matchups. Cade Stover - Y tight-end Stover brings physicality and toughness from his linebacker/defensive end background at Ohio State. His farm upbringing translates directly to his playing style - physical, relentless, and unfazed by contact. Stover saw some playing time as a rookie, including snaps as a lead blocker in fullback alignments. His connection with Stroud from their Ohio State days gave him built-in chemistry, resulting in 15 catches for 133 yards and 1 TD in his first NFL season. Still developing as a route runner but shows promise on intermediate routes. Brevin Jordan - F tight-end Jordan represents the most explosive athlete in the room when healthy. Currently recovering from an ACL tear suffered in September 2024, he should be back for early 2025. Prior to injury, Jordan showed big-play ability with yards-after-catch potential. His blocking remains a significant weakness, limiting his every-down usage. Jordan projects as a specialized weapon in Caley's offense rather than a consistent starter. Luke Lachey - Y tight-end Lachey addresses the room's need for size and blocking willingness. The seventh-round pick from Iowa brings developmental traits as a traditional in-line blocker with limited receiving upside. His college background suggests competency as a sixth offensive lineman in heavy packages with occasional short-area receiving capability. Likely competing for final roster spot rather than significant playing time. Practical implementation I think Caley won't reinvent the position but will deploy tight ends more strategically than Slowik. Two practical changes to expect - 1. Increased 12-personnel Expect more two-tight end formations, particularly with Stover's blocking capability and Schultz's versatility. This creates favorable box counts for the running game while maintaining passing flexibility. 2. Positional rotation based on situation Unlike previous approaches where tight-ends maintained consistent roles, Caley will likely rotate personnel based on down, distance and formation. The Patriots and Rams both excelled at situational tight-end usage under his guidance. The key limitation remains the lack of an elite tight-end talent. While the room offers functional versatility, none of the current options forces defensive coordinators to alter game plans. Caley's challenge will be maximizing production through scheme rather than individual matchup advantages. My questions in general Will Stover's development accelerate in year two given his connection with Stroud and Caley's coaching? Should the Texans target another receiving tight-end next year with Jordan's injury history and Schultz's limited ceiling? We'll have a better picture of this by the end of the year. Can Caley's scheme create opportunities for this position group despite elite individual talent? Is Lachey worth developing or should the team seek another blocker on the FA market?
Schultz- Sucks, got paid and stopped blocking. Stover- disappointed last yr. Hopefully he gets better at blocking. Jordan- was inconsistent when healthy. Poor blocker, how does he comeback from the ACL? Lachey- had TE starting qualitis before injury hit, will he regain his speed? Probably the best blocking TE on the team right now which is sad. Great hands. Overall- weakest position on the team.
Thank you for the detailed and insightful write up! I agree with @raining threes that this is probably the weakest position group, except perhaps OL, which is why I do think we will see a lot of 12 personnel with quick hit outlet options early in the year to protect CJ (and more flexibility for CJ to audible into those options and/or shift protection presnap). Getting that balance of protection/move-the-chains and big-play options right will be the difference this season between a very good team led by an amazing defense that can win any game 17-14, and a true contender that can score 30+ when needed.
I'm most excited to see Cade's development as a whole and also, as mentioned with CJ. He's definitely got the background and skill to become more of a Y/F Hybrid with grit in the blocking game and savviness in the pass game. With all of CJ's new toys (Higgins, Noel, Marks, and Kirk) I expect this team to be able to sustain more drives and have more explosive plays, maybe not right away, but definitely a few games into the season once they have their feet under them. Obviously our O-Line factors into this and all we can do is hope and pray that Caley has the keys for them to succeed in that area.
Great post, a lot is riding on CJ learning the offense and making the right checks at the LOS. I'm encouraged because he's stayed around Kirby and appears to be putting in the time to learn the new offense.
What TE would you compare Stover too? Main thing this offense has to do is get better in the RZ and having two 6'4 WR should help with that.
I agree, Dalton was really good in year 1 but it seems he either stopped caring or that year was a hoax...........when I would watch replays of him, he seemed lost, could that be the scheme, maybe but it sure seemed like he just isn't good, I mean it was bad bad bad. I had hopes for Stover, but he didn't do squat, maybe a new coach and scheme help. If it weren't for the cap hit Dalton would have to the roster, I think he would be gone. Jordan gets an Incomplete, can he come back from the injury, we shall see...............I do have hope for Lachey, and it would be biggly ironic if he comes out on top. Just give us ONE guy who can block and make a 3rd and 4 play
I'd peg him in line with Tucker Kraft, they actually share the same athletic background as both were two sport athletes (Basketball/Football) in HS. Obviously Cade has a learning curve with the DE/TE transition but I'd say with their measurables and production in college, they're fairly comparable to each other.
Hopefully he can reach this level next yr. Kraft was a RB in HS and I'm pretty sure he's better with the ball in his hands.
I think AT BEST that Stover is a depth piece. Hopefully we can make tight-end a priority in the next draft.
