HOUSTON – The Texans have a tradition of giving undrafted rookies a legitimate shot at making the roster.
They also are extremely competitive when it comes to their investment in their undrafted class.
Recommended Videos
Iowa State offensive lineman James Neal, a two-year starter for the Cyclones, signed a four-year, $3.13 million contract that includes one of the larger guarantees among all NFL rookies: $277,500. That includes a $30,000 signing bonus and a $247,500 guarantee of his base salary.
The Texans reached a three-year, $3.12 million deal with Oregon running back Noah Whittington. That includes $267,500 total guaranteed with a $20,000 signing bonus and $247,500 of his base salary guaranteed.
He was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten Conference selection. The Western Kentucky transfer rushed for 829 yards last season and six touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per play. He finished his college career with 2,950 rushing yards and 21 touchdown runs.
Whittington participated in the Texans’ rookie minicamp despite undergoing offseason toe surgery. He is a few weeks out from being 100 percent, per a league source.
Stanford corner Collin Wright joined the Texans after the Missouri City native worked out for them at their local prospect day. The Manvel graduate was a three-time all-state and all-district selection who has 156 tackles and 13 interceptions in high school.
He signed a three-year, $3.125 million contract that includes $262,500 guaranteed with a $20,000 signing bonus and $242,500 of his base salary guaranteed.
At Stanford, Wright (6-foot, 195) was a defensive captain who had 33 tackles and one interception last season. He returned it for a touchdown against Boston College. He was an all-academic selection.
Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall, a Manvel graduated, joins the Texans after piling up over 2,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in the past two seasons with 155 total catches. His undrafted deal includes $220,000 total guaranteed with a $20,000 signing bonus and $200,000 of his base salary guaranteed.
Former South Dakota State offensive lineman Sam Hagen’s three-year, $3.12 million deal includes $195,000 total guaranteed with a $20,000 signing bonus.
Missouri corner Stephen Hall signed an undrafted deal that includes $190,000 total guaranteed with a $15,000 signing bonus, per a league source. He recorded 96 career tackles and an interception.
North Carolina State defensive end Sabastian Harsh joined the Texans on an undrafted deal that includes $165,000 total guaranteed with a $15,000 signing bonus and $150,000 of his base salary guaranteed. A transfer from Wyoming, Harsh recorded 25 career tackles for losses and seven sacks with 138 tackles. He had 7 1/2 tackles for losses and 2 1/2 sacks last season.
The Texans signed University of Tennessee defensive tackle Dom Bailey to an undrafted deal that includes $150,000 of his base salary guaranteed, plus a $10,000 signing bonus.
Bailey had 77 career tackles, eight sacks, 12 1/2 tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles for the Vols.
Illinois State wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz had 1,141 yards and 18 touchdown catches for the Red Birds as they reached the FCS national championship game. He is now a Texan on an undrafted deal that includes $110,000 total guaranteed, including a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 of his base salary guaranteed.
The Texans signed Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse after special teams coordinator Frank Ross met with him virtually before the draft. He will compete with former New Orleans Saints punter Kai Kroeger, who was acquired in an offseason trade. His deal includes $75,000 guaranteed, with a $15,000 signing bonus.
Stonehouse was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and the third-highest graded punter in the nation last seaon. His father and cousin both played in the NFL. He averaged a school-record 47.1 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards, six touchbacks, 25 fair catches. He set a school career record with 45.8 yards per punt average.
Stonehouse went to the NFL scouting combine and East-West Shrine Bowl. He participated in the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers’ local prospect days and met privately with the San Francisco 49ers. A Missouri transfer, his average hang time was 4.29 seconds, fourth in the nation.
The Texans added Ivy League Player of the Year running back Josh Pitsenberger from Yale. Pitsenberger, a team captain, rushed for 1,571 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. His deal includes $62,000 guaranteed with a $12,000 signing bonus
Colgate wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders, who had over 200 catches and 12 touchdowns for his career, agreed to terms on a three-year, $3.105 million deal that includes $10,000 total guaranteed.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com