HOUSTON – As the Texans take the practice field Friday and Saturday, their rookie minicamp represents both the future and the immediate present.

Some of the Texans’ draft class are slated to compete for immediate playing time, including second-round cornerback Kamari Lassiter and fourth-round tight end Cade Stover. Second-round offensive tackle Blake Fisher is a valuable insurance policy who could step in at left tackle or right tackle if Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard miss time with injuries.

From the Texans’ standpoint, it’s a fun time to see their investment of resources and draft capital in person on the field.

“We’re excited to see them on the field,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said. “See how they get coached up and play. It’s an exciting time for us personally to see the team, and I’m sure the fans will be excited to see them as we progress.”

It’s primarily an orientation time for the rookies, learning the playbook, signing their contracts, getting to know their new teammates and how the Texans do things.

“My first message to our young guys is just, ‘Take a deep breath, relax kick back and have fun,’” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “These guys have been playing football for a long time. I try to make sure that they understand that the game has not changed just because you are stepping up to the next level.

“Just continue to do what got you here. That’s being a hard worker. Being dedicated to your craft. That will take you pretty far in this league.”

The rookie class includes Lassiter, a former Georgia standout, Fisher, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound 27-game starter for Notre Dame, ball-hawking third-round safety Calen Bullock, who intercepted nine passes at USC, Stover, a former teammate of C.J. Stroud’s at Ohio State who caught 10 career touchdowns for the Buckeyes, speedy sixth-round linebacker Jamal Hill, who’s run the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and also played safety at Oregon, elusive sixth-round running back Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 17 touchdowns his final two seasons at Louisville, seventh-round defensive end Solomon Byrd, who had 10 sacks, 18 for losses and five forced fumbles in two seasons at USC, seventh-round defensive tackle Marcus Harris, an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection who had seven sacks last season for Auburn, and seventh-round pick LaDarius Henderson, an offensive lineman who won a national championship at Michigan.

The Texans’ undrafted class includes South Dakota State wide receivers and twin brothers Jaxon Janke and Jadon Janke.

Jaxon Janke (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) caught 51 passes for 818 yards and five touchdowns last season, finishing his career with 244 catches for 3,677 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Jadon Janke (6-2, 205 pounds) caught 57 passes for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, finishing with 170 career receptions for 2,800 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The Matt Thomas Show