Jordan Akins News

A 2018 third-round pick, Akins played 73 games for Houston the past five seasons, topping 400 yards three times without ever reaching 500. His 37-495-5 receiving line last year was a career-best effort, and he's now headed to Cleveland where he'll compete for backup snaps with Harrison Bryant. Given his lack of blocking prowess, Akins might be an insurance plan for David Njoku more so than the clear-cut No. 2 TE -- a role that tends to be more about run-blocking than catching passes.

Akins is coming off a 2022 campaign with the Texans in which he tied his career high in catches (37), while recording season bests in receiving yards (495) and TDs (five). If the 2018 third-rounder signs with the Browns, he'll add depth to a Cleveland tight end corps led by returnees David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.

The journeyman tight end played the unlikely hero in an unlikely win, corralling a 28-yard touchdown grab on a 4th-and-20 heave from Davis Mills late in the fourth quarter and then securing the subsequent two-point conversion pass that proved the difference in the contest. Akins' Week 18 production allowed him to finish the 2022 campaign having tied his career high in receptions (37) and setting new personal bests in receiving yards (495) and touchdowns (five). The fifth-year pro played this season on a one-year contract, and given his ability to once again offer solid production as a pass catcher, Akins shouldn't have much trouble finding an NFL home in 2023.

Akins has been productive on a per-snap basis in 2022, but he hasn't been able to scale up that production over a bigger workload. It's possible that Akins could do more if the Texans gave him more snaps, but (A) he might not be able to play more snaps and (B) the Texans also have OJ Howard (two targets Sunday) and Brevin Jordan (three targets) blocking the way for Akins to prove himself further.

Akins continued his career renaissance with another three grabs, giving him 31 and 387 yards, tops among the team's tight ends. The 30-year-old was off the radar to start the season, but Akins has moved to the top of the depth chart since joining the active roster in Week 3. Houston's passing attack is unreliable, but with Nico Collins (foot) done for the season and Brandin Cooks dealing with injuries, Akins has averaged 4.4 targets and scored twice over the last five weeks. He leads all Houston pass-catchers with three TDs.

Akins recorded a 12-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter that gave the Texans a brief lead. The veteran tight end's touchdown was his third of the season, and he's now posted at least three receptions in three of the last four contests. Akins should continue to profile as an occasional red-zone threat during a Week 16 road matchup versus the Titans on Saturday afternoon.