What We Learned From Texans' Preseason Opener Against Chargers

When the Texans first drafted Marlin Klein this offseason, they were faced with some initial questions as to why they decided to take a day-three projected tight end with a top-60 pick.

But with continued big plays in training camp, and this time, in a preseason outing, it's beginning to become clear why Houston wanted to get their hands on him.

Klein only had one catch during his performance against Los Angeles, but it was the biggest play any player on the Texans' offense made, worth 31 yards thanks to a catch over the middle from Davis Mills.

Klein has a unique combination of size and athleticism that's largely been unproven throughout his time in college. But at the NFL level, with a little more time and additional reps, he could make him a dangerous threat as a receiver and as a blocker in Houston's tight end group. Plays like this certify that.

Jared Wayne May Make Texans' WR Cut Much Tougher

Outside of the Texans' big reception from Klein, their second-best offensive play throughout the night, or maybe even their best, was Jared Wayne's touchdown; an impressive catch on the right side of the end zone, also on a pass from Mills, that wound up being the only score of the night for Houston.

Wayne then finished with three receptions for 19 receptions on the night; one of Houston's better offensive performers in a dreary night on that end of the field. Add in his touchdown, and some of his preseason hype increasing, and maybe he's trending up when it comes to the Texans' 53-man roster picture.

A long climb might still be ahead for Wayne, though. Houston's already got five wideouts locked onto their roster, and have an ongoing battle between sixth-round rookie Lewis Bond and veteran Justin Watson for that WR6/7 spot. Adding Wayne into that will only make that competition for snaps look even tougher.

Kamari Ramsey Is Much Closer to a Roster Lock Than We Thought

The Texans' defense didn't show out much on Thursday night as much as they will throughout the regular season, but their best play on that end came from fifth-round rookie safety Kamari Ramsey , landing a takeaway via red-zone interception on Trey Lance at the end of the second quarter.

It's a statement play from Ramsey for the sake of his stock on the 53-man roster spot. As one of the more dynamic safeties in this year's class and the Texans' first-overall pick of the fifth round, there was already a good chance he was due for a spot on the team come Week 1, even in a deep safety room like Houston has.

Now, he's showing exactly why that is. Ramsey also added in two PBUs throughout the night as well, and has now almost certainly put himself on the inside track to make the Texans' roster at the end of the month. If he keeps up this momentum, he might also have a bigger role on the defense from what we first expected.