The Texans went into the offseason looking for more firepower, and Marlin Klein is already making a case to be part of the answer.
Houston used the No. 27 pick in the second round of April’s draft on the tight end from Cologne, Germany, a selection that drew some raised eyebrows at the time. One preseason drive later, Klein is starting to look like the kind of gamble that can pay off fast.
In the Texans’ 27-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Klein was on the field only for the opening possession, but he made it count. He caught a 31-yard pass from Davis Mills, the longest play Houston had all day, and finished as the team’s receiving leader. He also drew a pass interference call later in the drive.
After the game, DeMeco Ryans didn’t hide his excitement about what he saw.
"I thought he really shined today," Ryans said. "Everybody saw the pass that he caught - that's where he can excel for our offense and just open the offense up.
His catch radius (makes it) tough to guard him. He definitely has the speed as well to run away from guys, so he stood out to me."
Klein was drafted more for what he could become than for what he had already done. At 6-foot-6, he brings size, and he posted an unofficial 36-inch vertical jump at the NFL combine. His college production at Michigan was modest, but there were reasons for that: he spent two years behind Colston Loveland and played in a run-heavy system.
Over his career as a Wolverine, Klein totaled 38 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown. In 2025, he was named a starter and team captain for the first time, and those leadership qualities likely helped push him onto Houston’s radar.
He also looked comfortable as a blocker in the preseason opener, which matters in a Texans offense that asked plenty of its tight ends. That background could help him move quickly into the TE2 role behind Dalton Schultz.
The Texans have already dealt with major offensive injuries in 2025, with Tank Dell and Joe Mixon missing the entire season. Nico Collins still hasn’t played a full season, either.
If Houston gets its pass-catchers back healthy in 2026, Klein should still have a chance to chip in as a red zone option. And if one of the receivers - or Schultz - misses time, his role could grow in a hurry.
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