QUESTION #6: What does the ideal tight end room look like for the TEXANS?

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Payne & Pendergast

Episode: QUESTION #6: What does the ideal tight end room look like for the TEXANS?

Date: July 22, 2026
Hosts: Seth Payne ("Pain") & Sean Pendergast ("Penn")

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Seth Payne and Sean Pendergast dive deep into a pivotal roster-building question as the Houston Texans head into 2026 Training Camp: What does the ideal tight end room look like for the Texans? The duo analyzes the mix of veterans, new acquisitions, injuries, and draft picks to forecast who makes the roster and what each contender brings to the table. Blending their trademark humor and candid football insights, Payne & Pendergast break down each player’s case—with an eye toward Nick Caserio’s team-building philosophy and the dynamic evolution of modern NFL tight end usage.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing the Question (02:38)

• Lead-In: The Texans have “sugar and spice and everything nice going on” in the tight end room—ranging from established vets to new faces and injury returns.
• Rosters Trends: Most NFL teams keep 3–4 tight ends; Payne and Pendergast expect the Texans to follow the recent trend of keeping four.
  Penn [03:11]: “Most teams keep three tight ends on their 53-man roster. Four at the most… That’s the trend right now.”

2. Roster Locks and Contenders

Dalton Schultz — The Obvious Starter

• Schultz’s Role: Clear TE1; lauded for receiving skills but called a “willing blocker—just not a good blocker.”
  Pain [03:39]: “Dalton Schultz is going to be the starter for this team. That’s obvious… He’s a willing blocker. He’s just not a good blocker.”
• Durability Issues: Has played through injuries, impacting blocking performance.

Foster Moreau — The Reliable Veteran?

• Comeback Story: Praised for toughness and noted cancer survivor.
  Penn [04:12]: “He beat cancer a couple of years ago, which kind of derailed his career… feels like the Texans think there’s a lot of upside there.”
• Roster Lock: Not a lock, but favored unless younger players shine in camp.

Marlin Klein — The Rookie with High Expectations

• Draft Pedigree: Second-round pick, expected to be a lock.
  Pain [05:36]: “Yeah, he’s a second-round pick. Yeah, you’re an incredible bust if you don’t make the team as a second-round pick.”
• Playing Style: “NFL-style tight end” with strong blocking experience.

Cade Stover vs. Brevin Jordan — The Final Spot

• Cade Stover: Fourth-round pick, project with “elite” traits per GM Caserio.
  Pain [09:04]: “Nick Caserio used the word elite to describe some of his traits.”
• Brevin Jordan: Considered a more dynamic playmaker, versatile as a heavy slot receiver, but injury-prone.
  Penn [06:15]: “Brevin Jordan, much more dynamic playmaker… You really like him in there almost as a beefy slot receiver.”

3. Roster Math & Competition Dynamics

• The debate centers on whether the Texans go heavy with four tight ends or economize with three to make room at other positions.
• Competing for the Fourth Spot: The fourth tight end is “competing with the sixth cornerback” on the roster more than the top TEs.
  Pain [06:08]: “Whoever is trying to be the fourth tight end may be more competing with like the sixth cornerback… than they are Foster Moreau.”

4. Coaching Philosophy & Fit

• Nick Kaylee (TE Coach/OC): Likely wants versatile, physical TEs like Cade Stover to enable both run/pass unpredictability.
  Pain [08:43]: “I think Kaylee likes the Stover type. I agree with you on that.”
• Brevin Jordan’s Upside: Offers a unique skillset if healthy, but Stover better fits the offensive direction.

5. Pressure Points and Expectations

• Cade Stover: This is the year he must prove himself—has the Texans organization soured on him? They frame 2026 as his “prove-it” season given project status in college.
  Penn [10:07]: “This is the year you decide whether he’s a disappointment or not.”

6. Predicted Tight End Room (11:12)

• Both hosts predict a four-man TE room on the 53-man roster:
  • Dalton Schultz (starter)
  • Foster Moreau (veteran, likely makes the cut)
  • Marlin Klein (rookie, roster lock)
  • Cade Stover (project, must prove himself in camp)
• Brevin Jordan: Possible trade candidate for a late-round pick.
  Penn [11:27]: “And Brevin Jordan’s tradable, too… There’s a lot of teams out there that… can look at the upside of him.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On positional competition:
  “Whoever is trying to be the fourth tight end may be more competing with like the sixth cornerback… than they are Foster Moreau.” (Pain, 06:08)

• On Cade Stover’s crossroads:
  “This is the year you decide whether he’s a disappointment or not… Remember Cade Stover had only played tight end for two seasons at Ohio State.” (Penn, 10:07)

• On coaching types:
  “I think Kaylee would like it if Cade Stover really came into his own. They want to be able to run the football and… when they go in there, you don’t know if… they definitely want to run the ball or if they’re hoping that you bite on the run and those guys are both out in patterns.” (Penn, 08:24)

• On injuries clouding Jordan’s future:
  “It’s just that, man, the injuries have been such a dark cloud over him.” (Pain, 09:04)

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Quick Reference: Key Timestamps

• 02:38 — Framing the question; Texans tight end room context
• 03:11 — Roster math: Three vs. Four TEs in the NFL trend
• 03:39 — Dalton Schultz overview
• 04:12 — Foster Moreau’s role and upside
• 05:36 — Marlin Klein: rookie expectations
• 06:08 — Roster spot scarcity for the fourth TE
• 06:15 — Cade Stover vs. Brevin Jordan
• 08:24 — Nick Kaylee’s coaching philosophy
• 09:04 — Injury discussion: Brevin Jordan; “elite” label for Stover
• 10:07 — Cade Stover “prove-it” timeline
• 11:12 — Final predictions for the 53-man roster
• 11:27 — Brevin Jordan trade scenario and wider NFL TE landscape

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Conclusion

Drawing on inside knowledge and sharp positional analysis, Payne & Pendergast predict the Houston Texans will likely keep four tight ends in 2026: Dalton Schultz, Foster Moreau, Marlin Klein, and Cade Stover. The major battle centers on Stover versus Brevin Jordan, with the former's fit and upside giving him a tenuous edge—provided he proves it in camp. Jordan, while dynamic, is increasingly seen as expendable due to his injury history and may become trade bait for a team with a need at TE. The discussion highlights how NFL roster building is a blend of raw talent, scheme fit, and evolving league trends—crucial as the Texans attempt to refine their offensive identity ahead of training camp.

Transcript

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[Pain]

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[Penn]

Today presents live from the West Point Lincoln and West Point Lincoln of Sugar Land Studios. Here's Pain and Penn.

[Pain]

I painted Pendergast with you. It's fun watching people guess at what the big announcement is today at 10am I'm not gonna say one way or the other the guesses are accurate or the magnitude of the guesses. I'm just saying it. It makes. Makes me laugh.

[Penn]

Yeah. We're not gonna get out of the game where we start denying every suggestion because then people use their powers of deduction. They go all Sherlock Holmes.

[Pain]

Yeah, yeah. Not doing anything. It's pulling myself in front of the bus. Okay.

[Penn]

That's right.

[Keenan]

Yep.

[Penn]

I know. If I ever get arrested, I will. I'll talk. I was about to say, like, I'll remain silent. I'll rat you out in a second. Yeah. Oh, no, no. They say even if you're innocent, just to not say. Every lawyer will tell you, even if you're completely innocent, don't talk to the cops. And I'm like, okay, I understand your theory. I know me. And there's no way in hell. I just. I'll be like, no, I need to clear my good name.

[Pain]

You know your good name? Yeah. Or if you actually did it, your conscience, you'd be like, no, if I did it?

[Penn]

Yeah. That's a whole separate scenario. Yeah. I wouldn't. That's why I try not to commit crimes all that often. Cuz I know. Yeah, I'll buckle. I'd feel guilty about it, and I would just give it all up.

[Pain]

All right, question of the day.

[Penn]

But that's it. But it's easier to tell somebody if you did it. Just deny. Don't say anything.

[Pain]

Yeah, don't say.

[Penn]

But if you're completely innocent, that's where it's hard. The lawyers will tell you even if you're completely innocent, don't talk to the cops. And all you're thinking is, look, man, as soon as I don't talk to them, they're going to assume I did looks guilty and then they start building a case against you. And even if you are innocent, then like, what the hell.

[Pain]

Yep. Absolutely.

[Penn]

You do this segment by yourself. I'm depressed.

[Pain]

Come on. No, no, no.

[Penn]

We're thinking about my future. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Pain]

You love the tight ends. Question number six. As we count down as we count down to Texans training camp week from today week from today is the first practice. So as we countdown to Texans training camp. Question number six. What does the ideal tight end room look like for the Texans? Keep in mind this is a tight end rumor. They've added through free agency, they've added through the draft, they've added through guys coming back from another debilitating injury, and they've got existing guys in that room. So this is sugar and spice and everything. Nice going on.

[Penn]

There are five main names and keep in mind that Most teams keep three tight ends on their 53 man roster. Four at the most, four at the most. And especially I think that's going to be more common now because that's the trend right now. I mean, in the draft there are more tight ends taken than any time in the last 20 years or whatever it was. People are really leaning into the multiple tight end packages. So I would say of these five guys, though, the Texans are likely only to keep four of them. And it gets interesting.

[Pain]

Yep, it does, I would say. Okay, so as far as like sub questions to the big questions, you and I try to construct the ideal tight end room with this group. Dalton Schultz is going to be the starter for this team. That's obvious. Schultz had a good year last year, certainly catching the football. And I think he's a willing blocker. He's just not a good blocker.

[Penn]

He's willing, but he's also. Yeah. And I think he's improved in his career at it when he's healthy. But that's the problem too, is credit to him because he's tough and he fights through a lot of injuries. But I think the injuries have been a factor in some of his poor blocking performances.

[Pain]

He hasn't missed any games, but he's been Banged up?

[Penn]

Yeah. And he's. Look, he's productive as a receiver. They imported the guys that they want that they hope are good blockers. And one is Foster Moreau, who is a good blocker. He's been in the NFL. They, you know, he beat cancer a couple of years ago, which kind of derailed his career. But Casario thinks Kasario laid it out, you know, that he thought very highly of Foster Moreau before he got cancer and that it feels like the Texans think there's a lot of upside there.

[Pain]

Do you think? Okay, so Schultz is a lock. Do you think Foster Moreau. And I'm going to assume health for everybody here. Do you assume he's. Is he a lock to make the team?

[Penn]

No, I think Foster Moreau. It depends on what Cade Stover looks like because I think they want Cade Stover to develop as a blocker. So if we think about Foster Moreau as a guy that they wanted to come in to be sure we've got a guy who can block, we need to be sure that we got a guy we trust in pass protection, can block in the run game. We don't want to be using six offensive linemen all the time. If Kate Stover takes a step forward or if Marlon Klein, who I think they drafted because at Michigan he plays like very few colleges do these days. He plays in line, tight end, NFL style. Tight end, had to block a lot. He's capable as a receiver. If he were to look really, really good in camp, then that's where I think there's a lot of pressure on guys like Foster Moreau and Cade Stover because of the blocking dynamic.

[Pain]

Is Klein a lot to make the team solely on the.

[Penn]

Oh, yeah, he's a second round pick. Yeah, you're an incredible bust if you don't make the team as a second round pick.

[Pain]

Okay, so there's in your mind as we're constructing this room.

[Penn]

Yeah.

[Pain]

And I got a couple other sort of sub questions to bounce off of you here.

[Penn]

So Dalton Schultz and Marlon Klein are definitely on the roster.

[Pain]

And would you say Foster Moreau. It's more likely than not that he makes the.

[Penn]

I think it's more likely than not. And then it turns into Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan.

[Pain]

It turns into Kate Stover, Brevin Jordan and the desire to keep four tight

[Penn]

ends if they, if they decide to keep four. And at least. At least one of those guys is going to be out of there.

[Pain]

Whoever is trying to be the fourth tight end may be more competing with like the sixth cornerback.

[Penn]

Yeah.

[Pain]

Than they are Foster more.

[Penn]

And that's where it gets interesting with Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan. Is that all right? The. There's certain things that if you just look at them physically and for what they theoretically could do. Brevin Jordan, much more dynamic playmaker. You could see him in certain game plans and against certain matchups. Boy, you really like him in there almost as a. Is a beefy slot receiver. Whereas Kate Stover, I think they're hoping that he develops into a versatile all purpose tight end who can play fullback at times, you know, be that h back position. So they're, they're different flavors of players. And I don't know if it. I don't know if it comes down to like a flat out, you know, meritocracy type decision. It's just, it's what it. If both. Let's say both those guys look really good in camp.

[Pain]

Yeah.

[Penn]

They might just have to make a decision. All right, we want more of this guy or we want more of this type of guy.

[Pain]

What. What type of guy do you think Nick Kaylee would like?

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[Keenan]

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[Pain]

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[Keenan]

Yeah.

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[Penn]

I think Kaylee would like it if Cade Stover really came into his own. And they want to be able to run the football and I think they want to have guys that when they go in there, you don't know if you don't know if Cade Stover and Foster Moreau are in there because they definitely want to run the ball or if they're going to hoping that you bite on the run. And those guys are both out in patterns.

[Pain]

I think Kaylee likes the Stover type. I agree with you on that.

[Penn]

Yeah.

[Pain]

There is something that would be intriguing about if it's a fourth tight end because again, I think Schultz Klein, I think Moreau makes the team. So it's down to Stover versus Jordan. I think there is something to Brevin Jordan's diverse skill set and having something like that on the team. It's just that, man, the injuries have been such a dark cloud over him.

[Penn]

Yeah.

[Pain]

You know, and you might be sacrificing Cade Stover. Would you say that Kate Stover. Kate Stover is a fourth round pick. So you know, he's, he kind of hovers around that line like, boy, if he turns into a contributor, you're winning with a fourth rally. Anything beyond round four, it's like whatever has he been. But, but, but this is also a player that Nick Casario used the word elite to describe some of his traits.

[Penn]

Yeah.

[Pain]

After they drafted him. And he's a guy that they've, they've really. I think, I think he's made of the stuff that they.

[Penn]

Like he said elite, but he also made. I brought up George Kittle just by way of making a point and he's like, hold on a second.

[Pain]

Yeah, yeah.

[Penn]

Like he's not. He's not George Kittle. No, no.

[Pain]

And I'm not saying Nick said he was George Kittle or anything, but, but he was. As far as fourth round picks go, there was a lot of gushing that went on about Kate Stover. Would you say he's a disappointment?

[Penn]

Well, it's hard to be a disappointment as a fourth round pick. I mean, yeah, like anybody's a disappointment if you, you know, have high expectations above and beyond.

[Pain]

Let me rephrase it. Do you think the Texans think he's a disappointment because they said a lot of big things about him, but yet he's a fourth round pick.

[Penn]

And I think they look at him as a guy that is just at that point where this is the year you decide whether he's a disappointment or not. You know, like is a, like a lot of guys taken. Remember Kate Stover was. Had only played tight end for two seasons at Ohio State.

[Pain]

That's right.

[Penn]

And you're looking at him. We do this all the time. You draft a guy and you think, well, he's probably going to be a project.

[Pain]

And.

[Penn]

And then three months into the project, you're like, what the hell's taken so long? Yeah. Why is he not here? Yeah, I think this would be the year that they would expect him or hope for him to really take that step forward. And I think with Brevin Jordan, they pretty much know who he is as a player. It's just a matter of whether can he stay healthy or not. So, Brevin, So. So Cade Stover is the one who really has to have a good camp, who really has to show that. That he's taken a step forward, that he can be a more physical and more dependable blocker, and that if he. If he really shows up in camp, then just by virtue of availability. And I think. I think the way Nick Kaylee wants to operate as an offense, that they'd probably. It would be a hard decision for him, but they'd probably stick with. With Kate Stover.

[Pain]

Okay, so.

[Penn]

But he has to prove. He really has to prove it in camp.

[Pain]

If you had to make a prediction right now, breaking camp in late August, when they make the 53, what do you think the tight end room?

[Penn]

I think it'll be four tight ends, and I think it'll be Dalton, Schultz, Foster, Moreau. I think Kate Stover and Marlon Klein.

[Pain]

Yeah, that's what I have in all the 50 threes I've been doing.

[Penn]

And Brevin Jordan's tradable, too.

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[Penn]

Despite his injuries, I think there's a lot of teams out there that, remember, we're talking about all these teams wanting to go, multiple tight ends, and they can look at the upside of him and, you know, look, look, the brewers just traded for Lance McCullers, so, like, a long injury history isn't a complete barrier to. To trading for somebody.

[Pain]

And the word tradable, there's degrees to it. Like, tradable could mean Brevin Jordan and a six.

[Penn]

You just pick up a late round pick in 20, 28.

[Pain]

Yeah, yeah, something like that.

[Penn]

All right.

[Pain]

Pain and pender gas with you. We do. We're doing this every day on the show at this segment leading up to training camp starting next Wednesday. All right, coming up next, headlines. Astros win last night. We'll dig into that a little bit. Boy, it was a busy bloodletting at ESPN yesterday. Holy smokes. A lot of big names now out on the market at esp.

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[Keenan]

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[Pain]

Hey, you're.

[Keenan]

Yeah.

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[Keenan]

Really. But unlike other sites, you can start online, test drive with a local dealer, then finish online or at the dealership.

[Ad Voice]

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[Keenan]

Buy your car online on Autotrader. Really?

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[Penn]

Yep.

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