With the first day of the Houston Texans rookie minicamp now in the books, it is becoming clearer by the minute exactly what kind of players they have brought in this offseason. Here are the major talking points, at the end of Day 1: Tight end Kahale Warring is imposing We already knew that at 6-5, San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring was a large figure, but seeing him on the field alongside his new teammates really puts that into perspective. What stands out about Warring is that despite his size, he seems very flexible and athletic. Wearing Texans legend Owen Daniels’ No. 81, Warring will join a crowded tight end group but will add some much-needed versatility. Cornerbacks Lonnie Johnson and Xavier Crawford look rusty On this simple play, undrafted free agent receiver Tyron Johnson ran an out route to Crawford’s left. What is concerning from Crawford’s point of view is that he was so easily out-muscled and outmaneuvered. Then we get to Johnson. Here, second-year receiver Jester Weah runs a similar route, stuttering before moving out wide. Much like Crawford, Johnson looks dazed and confused (no pun intended, just a happy accident), with Weah moving past easily. Also worth noting here, Weah showing promising signs early on. Poor from Johnson here, good turn from Weah though #Texans https://t.co/vN2CK0qZt5 — Anthony Wood (@arwoodNFL) May 10, 2019 Johnnie Dixon showing good footwork It is very early days, but from the little we’ve seen so far, undrafted free agent receiver Johnnie Dixon out of Ohio State looks like a good pickup. He has good speed and size, and as shown below his footwork is clean and he has solid hands. Dixon has a good chance of working his way to becoming Fullers backup this year #Texans https://t.co/3gcB9IJeSr — Anthony Wood (@arwoodNFL) May 10, 2019 Texans WR Johnnie Dixon, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/AL3kDUiVDY — Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) May 10, 2019 Bill O’Brien looks pleased with his offensive linemen Rookie offensive linemen Tytus Howard and Max Scharping will be thrust into the limelight this season, with Houston in desperate need of upgrades in front of Deshaun Watson. In the drill below O’Brien looks happy with their performances thus far. O'Brien happy so far with his rookie linemen #Texans https://t.co/YOBwt1EVVW — Anthony Wood (@arwoodNFL) May 10, 2019 Finally, Cullen Gillaspia showing his versatility Seventh-round draft pick Gillaspia was a surprising pick to many, but this versatile Texas native is looking like a smart selection. With experience at linebacker, on special teams, and both receiving and rushing as a fullback, this former Aggie will come in handy in all three phases and prove hard to predict. Here, the Texans were using him as a receiver, something they may well look to do to take a little of the pressure off of an injury-plagued receiving corps.<doc-sep>The Houston Texans are one player away from signing their entire 2019 NFL draft class. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have reached agreements with every one of their draft picks except for tight end Kahale Warring, their third-round selection. Texans first-round tackle Tytus Howard @levelstothis_2 "It's just a blessing to sign my first NFL contract. Now I'm ready to go to rookie minicamp and get to work and grow with my teammates and protect Deshaun [Watson]" — Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 9, 2019 First-round tackle Tytus Howard, second-round cornerback Lonnie Johnson, second-round tackle Max Scharping, fifth-round defensive end Charles Omenihu, cornerback Xavier Crawford, and seventh-round fullback Cullen Gillaspia have all signed with the AFC South champions from a season ago. Language in the current collective bargaining agreement, which took effect in 2011, made reaching agreements with rookie classes more expedient than previously. Prior to 2011, clubs would get their entire draft class signed on the eve of training camp. Now, clubs are able to get their rookie class signed and ready to go as soon as minicamp, presuming the salary cap space is available. With the Texans being one of the NFL’s best at cap management, that hasn’t been an issue.<doc-sep>The Houston Texans kickoff rookie minicamp Friday, and coach Bill O’Brien knows exactly what the newcomers will have to demonstrate in their first NFL practice. Going off of quotes from O’Brien’s press conference during the 2018 rookie minicamp on May 11, 2018, the process has been laid out. The first thing is the rookies are brought in the night before minicamp and are in a meeting with the coaches from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and go through several meetings. “We throw a lot of information at these guys,” O’Brien said. “They get a ton of information about the organization, about how we do things, our culture, our philosophy, X’s and O’s.” The first day of minicamp starts at 6:00 a.m. for the rookies and doesn’t get over until 10:00 p.m. Of course, there will be breaks in between, but the whole 16 hours is part of a big orientation to life in pro football. “Tomorrow will be the same type of schedule, and then we will see how it goes today and tomorrow relative to what we do on Sunday, understanding that Sunday is Mothers’ Day and that is a very important day,” said O’Brien. “But today, tomorrow, is a rigorous schedule. There’s no doubt about it.” Like 2018’s rookie minicamp, the 2019 rookie minicamp also concludes on the same weekend as Mother’s Day. It remains to be seen if O’Brien and the staff will have the same considerations this year as opposed to last.<doc-sep>
Accelerating into a sideline pattern, Texans rookie tight end Kahale Warring reached top speed quickly and hauled in a long spiral. It was a routine play during his first NFL practice, but the third-round draft pick from San Diego State made a strong first impression Friday afternoon in a rookie minicamp. At 6-5, 252 pounds, Warring looks the part and has put on a lot of muscle since his high school days as a water polo and basketball standout. Warring is also fast, with a 4.67 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. He showed good hands Friday with just one dropped pass. "These guys now, they're big, good athletes," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said of a group of young tight ends that includes Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins and Warring. "They can run. They can catch. They're smart. They know where to line up. "Kahale had a pretty good day for Day One out here. They're guys that are really athletic for their size and do a nice job of understanding our offense." A former walk-on who earned a scholarship, Warring was drafted 86th overall. Warring has added 50 pounds since high school and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times at the combine and had a 36 1/2 inch vertical leap. Warring led San Diego State as an honorable-mention All-Mountain West Conference selection with 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Warring operated in a run-first offense, and the Texans are optimistic about his chances of becoming a good blocker. "We thought he had a real good chance to be able to learn how to block and the toughness to block and the willingness to block," O'Brien said. "I think that's really one of the keys is the willingness to block."