HOUSTON – The Texans drafted Ohio State tight end Cade Stover in the fourth round after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Texans traded their 127th overall pick of the fourth round and a 2025 fifth-round pick to select Stover 123rd overall
Stover is a versatile tight end and a former teammate of Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. Now, they reunite in Houston. Stover and Stroud have a close relationship, staying in touch throughout the draft process, including having a throwing session before Stover’s campus Pro Day workout that Stroud attended.
“Such an honor to play with C.J. again,” Stover said during a Zoom call with Houston reporters. “A lot of emotions. I’m excited to contribute any way I can. He’s an awesome human being and an even better teammate. We were captains together. It was no surprise to me what he did last season. The dude is unbelievable.”
Stover (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) had zero drops last season and is a strong blocking presence. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
He was named the Big Ten Conference Tight End of the Year.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win ball games,” Stover said. “Super, super blessed here. I love blocking. I’m going to throw my face in the fire every chance I get.”
He has a 34 1/2 inch vertical leap, a 9-9 broad jump and a 4.45 short shuttle.
He caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns last season. He was a finalist for the John Mackey award. He’s a converted defensive end and linebacker.
“I kind of still see the game through a defensive lens,” Stover said. “They’re getting a complete utility. I’m going to do everything possible to help this team win.”
In 2022, he caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns while catching passes from Stroud, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.
He’ll be mentored by veteran tight end Dalton Schultz.
“Dalton Schultz is a great player,” Stover said. “I’ve watched a lot of his film. I think it’s going to be awesome learning from him.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.