Pros and cons of Houston Texans picking Ohio State tight end Cade Stover in 2024 NFL draft
Bill RabinowitzOhio State tight end Cade Stover will be reunited with C.J. Stroud in the NFL.
Stover was taken by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday as the 123rd overall pick.
His selection caps an eventful journey for the former Ohio Mr. Football, who played defensive end and linebacker before settling in at tight end his final two years at Ohio State. Once he found a home, he became a prolific pass-catcher and a team leader. Stover was a two-time captain.
At the NFL combine in February, Stover said had an "unbelievable meeting" with the Texans.
"It would mean so much to be back with C.J.," Stover said. "We were captains together two years ago. He was from Rancho Cucamonga, California. I'm from Mansfield, Ohio. Two polar opposite sides of the world. But I couldn't tell you how much respect and how close I really was with that guy, just for his pure knack of wanting to win and my pure knack of wanting to win. I'd love nothing more than to reunite with him."
Now he has.
Stover is the third Buckeye taken in the draft, following Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick by Arizona and Mike Hall Jr. with the 54th overall selection by Cleveland.
What Cade Stover brings to Houston in the 2024 NFL draft.
Stover is a no-nonsense, hard-working player who is a talented pass-catcher and a willing, if somewhat unpolished, blocker. His family owns a farm, and he has the work ethic befitting that. Stover can make the tough catch and has the power to punish tacklers and the athleticism to sidestep them. His familiarity with Stroud, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, should aid his transition to the pros.
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Cade Stover's highlights, strengths, weaknesses
Stover can stretch the field with his speed and has soft hands. Stover blocks with plenty of effort, but sometimes his technique falters. That's not surprising considering he's still fairly new to the position.
Cade Stover's stats at Ohio State
With 41 catches in 2023, Stover had the most receptions for a Buckeye tight end since John Frank in 1981 and '83. That tied for second on the team with receiver Emeka Egbuka, trailing only Marvin Harrison Jr. He had 576 receiving yards and five touchdowns last year. In 2022, his first year as a starter, Stover had 36 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns, catching passes from Stroud.
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Cade Stover's potential in the NFL.
Stover should be able to make an instant impact as a pass-catcher. With experience and coaching, he should improve as a blocker and become effective in that role.