Dalton Schultz has had 85+ targets in six straight seasons. 3.6% TD rate, 7.0 YPT over the last three seasons with Houston. Going to get targets, not going to do a lot with them. Xavier Hutchinson's YPRR has improved each year of his career but topped out at 1.1 last season. HOU values his run blocking and I think he's going to play a lot. Unlikely to be a meaningful fantasy contributor. I know Tank Dell's ADP is three rounds higher than Noel's right now. But Aaron Wilson said recently they a...

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PositiveUsageAug 18, 2026Battle Red Blog

Merlin Klein looked like a good receiver and blocker in the limited snaps he was out there during the preseason game.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026Battle Red Blog

Klein is positioned behind starting tight end Dalton Schultz on the depth chart but the source confirms he will be on the field this season and brings a different level of juice to the tight end group; this role clarity suggests meaningful playing time and offensive involvement despite the depth chart hierarchy.

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PositiveBreakoutAug 17, 2026Battle Red Blog

Rookie tight end impressed in preseason debut against the Chargers with a 31-yard reception on the game's opening drive; the source notes he made an immediate impact despite limited snaps, suggesting the Texans are managing his workload carefully because he will be a significant part of the offense. Klein also demonstrated strong run-blocking fundamentals, consistently using inside hand strikes, rolling his hips, and maintaining grip strength against larger opponents—a key requirement for the Texans' rushing attack.

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NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Klein worked with Davis Mills at tight end while starting TE Dalton Schultz rested, indicating backup tight end role.

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PositiveRoleAug 15, 2026Battle Red Blog

Klein opened the game as a starting TE in Houston's 12 formation offensive scheme. Despite being characterized as potentially overdrafted since his second-round selection, he delivered the Texans' biggest play of the night: a 36-yard catch from Davis Mills that flipped field position and set up Houston's only score. The source notes that if Klein can build on this performance, it bodes well for Houston's 12 formation plans, which require quality TEs that can catch and block.

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PositiveRoleAug 15, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Second-round TE drafted by Houston opened the game as a starting tight end and delivered the franchise's biggest play of the night: a 36-yard catch from Davis Mills that flipped the field and set up Houston's only touchdown. The source notes Klein has been heavily discussed since his draft selection and that if he can build on this performance, it bodes well for Houston's 12 formation plans that require quality TEs who can catch and block.

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NegativeProjectionAug 14, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Ranked TE7 in superflex dynasty rookie draft rankings with ADP of 6.0; positioned as the seventh-ranked tight end prospect in the 2026 class.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 10, 2026Battle Red Blog

Rookie second-round pick competing with Brevin Jordan and Foster Moreau for tight end snaps; faces competition from a motivated Jordan returning from injury.

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NegativeProjectionAug 7, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Ranked TE7 in superflex dynasty rookie draft rankings for 2026.

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PositiveValueAug 6, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Ranked TE7 in dynasty rookie draft rankings with ADP of 49.8; significant positive ADP shift of +20 indicates strong rising market confidence.

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PositiveRoleAug 5, 2026The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny

The Texans drafted Marlon Klein to address their need for a true 'Y' tight end who can block, as the team struggled to run the ball effectively without a tight end capable of holding up in the trenches.

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NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Marlin Klein, a tight end, was selected by the Texans in the second round (pick 27 overall, 59 overall) as the team's second of two second-round picks; with established talent at tight end in Schultz and Moreau, Klein is expected to develop on the depth chart with tempered expectations.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 4, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Klein, nicknamed 'Sideline Klein,' has impressed at tight end. He is utilized as a blocker and rarely targeted in the passing game, but he is in there with the starters and makes the 53-man roster.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 4, 2026Battle Red Blog

Klein, nicknamed 'Sideline Klein' by the source, has impressed at training camp. He's utilized as a blocker and rarely targeted in the passing game, but he's in there with the starters and makes the 53-man roster.

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NegativeProjectionAug 4, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Ranked TE7 in superflex dynasty rookie draft rankings; positioned as seventh tight end off the board in 2026 rookie class.

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NegativeRoleAug 3, 2026Battle Red Blog

Kenneth L. expresses regret that the Texans used a second-round draft pick on tight end Marlin Klein, stating he would have preferred they drafted a second-round defensive end instead. However, he acknowledges Clowney's signing as a fantastic short-term stop-gap solution to address the defensive end depth need that Klein's selection did not address.

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NegativeRoleAug 3, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source expresses regret that Houston drafted tight end Marlin Klein in the second round instead of a defensive end, noting 'I still wish they drafted a second-round DE instead of TE "Sideline" Marlin Klein, absolutely, but this is a fantastic short-term stop-gap.'

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NegativeProjectionAug 3, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Marlin Klein is ranked TE7 in the 2026 dynasty rookie draft rankings with a tier 6 designation.

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PositiveNewsJul 31, 202632BeatWriters

32BeatWriterson X

#Texans OC Nick Caley on rookie TE Marlin Klein: 'Big runway. He's done a nice job.' They like his combination of size, speed, fast learner.

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NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026Battle Red Blog

Klein, a 6'6", 250-lb rookie from Michigan who won a national championship in 2023, enters his first training camp with significant attention. His collegiate career emphasized run-game blocking over receiving production, though he seldom disappointed when called upon to catch. The source notes that tight end blocking contributions are often more valuable than receiving ability. Schultz described Klein as a good athlete and big dude who moves well, but emphasized the learning curve of understanding the offense's demands to execute properly.

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PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Marlin Klein is ranked TE7 in the dynasty rookie draft rankings with an ADP of 48 and a value differential of 21, indicating strong positive value relative to his ranking.

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NegativeRoleJul 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Competing with Brevin Jordan for snaps in pass-heavy formations and receiver-aligned tight end situations; the source notes Klein carries less experience and blocking potency than Jordan but could earn more snaps if he significantly outperforms Jordan. The source compares Klein's profile to Trey McBride, suggesting a similar athletic/receiving skill set.

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PositiveBreakoutJul 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source identifies Klein as an under-the-radar rookie for the Texans heading into 2026. Klein was drafted to provide scheme flexibility to the offense with smooth footwork and long wingspan; he could deliver blocking juice and receiving upside. However, his breakthrough will depend heavily on remaining healthy, as injuries haunted him at Michigan and he spent much of summer nursing a hamstring injury. He's competing with Moreau and Brevin Jordan for playing time behind Schultz.

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NegativeRoleJul 29, 2026Battle Red Blog

Marlin Klein is competing with Brevin Jordan for pass-heavy formations and receiver-lined-up tight end situations. The source expects Jordan to get more attention earlier in the season due to superior blocking and experience, but Klein could overtake him if he 'starts running circles around him.' The source also notes Klein reminds Nick Caserio of McBride, suggesting potential upside if he performs well.

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PositiveBreakoutJul 29, 2026Battle Red Blog

Marlin Klein, a Michigan tight end drafted by Houston, was brought in to provide scheme flexibility with smooth footwork and long wingspan; his breakthrough in his rookie year will depend heavily on his ability to remain healthy, as injuries haunted him at Michigan and he spent much of summer nursing a hamstring injury. If healthy, he'll compete with Foster Moreau and Brevin Jordan for playing time behind Dalton Schultz.

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NegativeProjectionJul 28, 2026ESPN Fantasy Football

Ranked TE35 in ESPN's top 240 dynasty rankings at age 23, indicating limited near-term dynasty appeal for the young tight end.

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PositiveProjectionJul 28, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Ranked 49th overall in superflex dynasty rookie draft consensus rankings; TE7 prospect with average ranking of 50.5 and standard deviation of 5.0.

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PositiveInjuryJul 27, 2026Battle Red Blog

Rookie TE appears to have recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in early June and should be back and healthy in time for the start of training camp. No rookie needs a more public and positive camp as much as Klein, indicating high expectations for his performance.

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PositiveBreakoutJul 22, 2026Battle Red Blog

Second-round pick selected in 2025 who could quietly become one of the Texans' biggest weapons heading into the season; dealt with a minor injury earlier in the offseason but is expected to be ready for training camp; provides C.J. Stroud with another big-bodied target and will learn behind veteran Dalton Schultz before competing for the starting job in the future.

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NegativeBustJul 22, 2026Battle Red Blog

Klein is named the biggest faller on the 2026 Texans roster, the first rookie in nine years of this article series to receive that designation (even Kenyon Green did not in 2022). The source cites intense competition at tight end and a lingering hamstring injury as reasons for the negative offseason narrative. Klein faces an uphill battle to not only find a role but make the roster entirely, with both Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan entering healthy and ready to compete.

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