The Texans took Central Florida tight end Jordan Akins with their final third round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The 6-3, 250-pound Akins averaged 16.1 yards per catch last season for the Knights, snaring four touchdwons and finishing with 515 receiving yards. In nine of 11 contests last year, he caught a pass for 20 yards or longer. Akins is excited to be a Texan, and looking forward to playing on an offense quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson. 

"It's exciting," Akins said. "I'm looking forward to playing with Deshaun and making bigtime plays with him."

Akins said he makes "clutch catches in clutch situations", and is looking forward to getting to work in Houston.

A threat down the seam.#TexansDraft pic.twitter.com/KBNmVdnPBc — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 28, 2018

The 98th overall pick was a compensatory selection. Bill O'Brien and the Texans coaches and front office got to know Akins during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, when he played on the South squad for the Houston coaching staff.

"Jordan's a guy that came across very well as a person, and then as a player on the field," O'Brien said. "He has a good work ethic. Good ability in the passing game. We were excited to be able to have a chance to draft him."

Akins enjoyed meeting and playing for O'Brien and the Texans during the week in Mobile.

"I like Coach O'Brien," Akins said. "He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He was straight forward. An old-school kind of coach, which I'm used to."

Earlier in the third round, the Texans selected safety Justin Reid from Stanford 68th overall, and Mississippi State offensive lineman Martinas Rankin 80th overall. The Rankin pick came courtesy of a 2017 trade with the Seahawks.