Texans’ Jordan Akins seeks to complete his development as a well-rounded tight end

Jordan Akins is going about as far as he can with his development as a tight end.

The Houston Texans’ 2018 third-round pick is effective with his run-after-the-catch ability. Over his 45 games with Houston, Akins has caught 90 passes for 1,046 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-4, 243-pound tight end is able to find the soft spots in zones and provide an effective target in the intermediate passing game.

As Akins enters a contract year, the 29-year-old is looking to put the finishing touches on his development. The one area for a tight end where fans don’t exactly appreciate or comprehend, but coaches adore, is the run-blocking game.

Akins has been working all offseason on improving his run-blocking abilities, even upping his weight to around 250 pounds.

“Getting my body together and making more plays through the air, as well as in the run game,” Akins said. “I was working a lot on my run game last year but now I’m at ease with both.”

Akins had a down 2020, like almost seven billion other people on Earth. The former UCF Knight appeared in just 13 games, starting in five of them.

Coming into 2021, Akins has worked on his footwork, hand strength, core strength, and put an emphasis on maintaining his blocks and finishing.

Akins saw some early returns in the scrimmage on Aug. 7 at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Said Akins: “Down in the goal line, we were kind of getting out there during the scrimmage and that repetition paid off.”

Akins is amid competition at the tight end position with Pharaoh Brown and rookie fifth-rounder Brevin Jordan. Even though Akins is in the last year of his rookie deal with Houston, he embraces the competition with his teammates.

“We have a rookie who can do a lot of things, and Pharaoh, we all going at it,” said Akins. “We make each other better. Competing, running and pass game.”