Texans sign second-round pick to rookie deal

No. 59 overall pick Blake Fisher finished out the Texans’ rookie signings, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting the tackle prospect agreed to terms on his four-year contract. Fisher will check in behind established veterans Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard as he begins his pro career.

Houston drafted Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter with a pick obtained from Minnesota but added Fisher with its own second-round selection. Fisher has begun competing for a role on the Texans offensive line. 

He spent the past two years at right tackle with Notre Dame, converting from the left side. With Tunsil entrenched on C.J. Stroud‘s blind side, routes to Fisher seeing early playing time will form elsewhere — barring injury.

Injuries, however, have been an issue for the Texans up front. They played without Howard, who signed a three-year extension last July, for most of the 2023 season. Tunsil missed three games and is less than three years removed from a 2021 season in which he suited up for only five contests. The Texans also ran into durability trouble at center and guard last year, creating a need for depth at the very least.

Fisher helped the Fighting Irish to 39.1 points per game — second in the storied program’s history — and left school after his junior season, opting out of the Sun Bowl to prepare for the draft. 

The Texans chose Fisher four spots ahead of Roger Rosengarten (No. 62, Ravens) and Kingsley Suamataia (No. 63, Chiefs), but this trio checked in as second-tier prospects in a deep tackle class.

The Texans have 2022 first-rounder Kenyon Green back in the mix for the left guard job, and the team did not re-sign Josh Jones or George Fant this offseason. 

This setup would point Howard back to tackle, but the team has used the 2019 first-rounder at guard in multiple seasons — including throughout his limited 2023. That would potentially represent an option, should Fisher prove ready for early playing time.

With the full group signed, here is how Houston’s 2024 draft class looks:

• Round 2, No. 42 (from Vikings): Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 59: Blake Fisher (T, Notre Dame) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 78 (from Seahawks through Commanders and Eagles): Calen Bullock (S, USC) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 123 (from Browns through Texans): Cade Stover (TE, Ohio State) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 188 (from Raiders through Patriots and Vikings): Jamal Hill (LB, Oregon) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 205: Jawhar Jordan (RB, Louisville) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 238 (from Saints): Solomon Byrd (EDGE, USC) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 247: Marcus Harris (DT, Auburn) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 249: LaDarius Henderson (G, Michigan) (signed)