HOUSTON – The Texans agreed to terms with fourth-round tight end Cade Stover, according to a league source.
It’s a four-year, $4.758 million deal that includes a $1.189 million signing bonus.
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The Texans landed 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.
When the Texans drafted Stover, a gritty converted defensive player known for his work ethic in the weight room, Texans general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans’ shared enthusiasm was obvious.
Stover grew up on a cattle farm in Ohio, and the Texans love his blue-collar mentality and passion for the game.
“Whatever it is, it’s elite,” Caserio said of Stover. “This guy is as tough, hard-nosed a player they had in the program. Cade is a good example of a player that only played tight end for two years. He’s certainly not a finished product. He has the mindset and work ethic to improve. How he was raised, this guy is everything you want in a football player and then more. He probably played hurt this year. I think he had an MCL, an issue where quite frankly it would have limited some other players, but he just braced it up and kept playing football.
“I don’t speak for DeMeco, but I think we feel the same way. This is probably one of our favorite football players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality, because of his mindset. And, he still is developing as a player. Two years ago, he was playing defensive end in the Rose Bowl against Utah. Now he’s played tight end for two years. Here he is getting picked in the bottom of the fourth round. We think his best position is tight end. That’s why we drafted him. Blue-collar as they come. Makeup, traits, toughness, mentality, this is an elite guy.”
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 after being drafted .“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 provides 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.
