The Houston Texans announced today that they have signed
Owen Daniels (6-3, 247). Daniels was selected by the Texans in the 4th
round of this year’s NFL Draft. He was selected 98th overall and was
the first tight end to be drafted by the Texans since Bennie Joppru in 2003.
Daniels attended college at Wisconsin where he saw most
action as a receiver, but also played some reserve quarterback and various other
positions.
During the 2003 season there, Daniels played in 13 games in
a variety of roles and was ranked fourth on the team with 15 receptions for 193
yards and scored two touchdowns. It was during this season that he began
playing tight end.
In 2004, he played 12 games and moved up on the team and
finished second with 25 receptions for 391 yards. He was also given an
honorable mention for the All-Big Ten Conference that year.
His final collegiate season saw him play in 12 games for
the Badgers, starting 8 of those 12. He was ranked fourth on the team with 22
receptions for 268 yards and scored four touchdowns that year.
Daniels has very reliable hands and is a very smart player
on the field. He will be a certain offensive weapon for the Texans, especially
in the red zone. He has decent size for a tight end, but could work to become
stronger before the season begins. He does have a history of injury, tearing
his ACL twice in the past. As long as he can stay healthy, he will be an asset
to the Texans offense.
Daniels marks the third Texans draft pick to sign with the
Teams. First round pick Mario Williams and second round pick Demeco Ryans have
already locked in their own deals with the organization. Reports are that the
Texans have reached verbal agreement with the remaining draft picks, and new Texans
general manager Rick Smith has stated that all draft picks will be signed before
the beginning of training camp for the Texans on July 28.
Daniels will be participating in a new offense for the
Texans, led by head coach Gary Kubiak, who looks to use his tight ends to their
utmost capacities. Even though the Texans already had several tight ends on the
roster, they saw something in Daniels that stirred up great interest. During
the Texans OTAs earlier in the summer Kubiak remarked on how talented this young
tight end is. Expectations are good for Daniels, who looks forward to meeting
his upcoming challenges as a professional athelete.