The Value of Things: Key Players of the Texans – Brevin Jordan

When a team is loaded with talent, it can be difficult to identify key players on the perimeter. We’re not talking big cogs here. We’ve identified a backup running back, a backup wide receiver, and a backup starter on the offensive line as potential key players for the team next season.

These are not the type of players that are going to make the difference between a playoff team and a non-playoff team. The key players are going to be the guys that do that. These are the guys that could make the difference between a second round playoff exit (again) and a run to the AFC championship game. These are the guys that make those one or two key plays at key moments that put you on top.

The Houston Texans drafted Cade Stover and re-signed Dalton Schultz, and that alone should tell you what they think of Jordan so far. There have been moments where he’s been able to shine. In his rookie season, he suddenly emerged toward the end of the year and ended up putting up some good numbers. Last season, he had that tantalizingly brilliant touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. There just weren’t enough moments like that to give him the position.

The creation of a nickname

The numbers speak for themselves here. One of the things all sports reference sites do is break numbers down into digestible chunks so we can see how a player performs in a given situation. Here is Jordan’s position as a receiver by month. Pay attention to see if you notice anything significant.

September: 7 receptions, 48 ​​yards, 1 TD
October: 6 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
November: 8 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
December: 28 receptions, 324 yards, 2 TD
January: 2 receptions, 29 yards, 0 TD

That’s why we’ve been calling Jordan “Mr. December” around these parts. Keep in mind, this is over three seasons, so even if we add up all the other months, we still get 23 pass catches and 196 yards with 3 TDs. So if you want someone to dominate a month of football, you can pick worse months than December. This is the month when teams are aiming for the playoffs.

I’m not sure dominating for a month is enough to keep a player afloat. The Texans have needs all over the roster and when you have 53 spots available, you need players that can offer you at least one thing that others can’t. Jordan isn’t a particularly good blocker. Will Stover be a better one? What does Teagan Quitioriano (or Unspellable) offer that other tight ends don’t?

A squad sticking point

Most organizations have between three and four tight ends on the regular roster. We know Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover are two of those guys. That leaves one spot open. Looking at the San Francisco 49ers offense and first-year Bobby Slowik, it’s pretty clear he wants to use multiple formations against the defense. With the players he has on the roster, he can easily use three and four wide receivers. He can line up a fullback or an H-back with the running back in the backfield. Now he can also easily line up multiple tight ends. Could Jordan be one of them?

The touchdown against the Browns in the playoffs showed that Jordan may be faster and more athletic than the other tight ends. The ability to stretch the field from different positions is a huge advantage in the NFL. Still, all 11 spots on the field are coveted. Every player has to offer something that makes the offense more successful and dynamic.

A tight end who can’t really block is limited. He doesn’t need to catch 50 balls to be successful, but he needs to do more than he has done so far. That’s 51 catches in three seasons. If he can catch 25-30 balls, he could justify his place on the roster and make the one or two crucial plays that move the team up another spot. If he continues to languish like this, he could end up being a training camp casualty. Either way, it’s a crucial time for Brevin Jordan.