So much for being an "overrated pick," right?
With the preseason in the books, Pro Football Focusofficially named its preseason rookie team. Among the best of the bunch?
Tight end Marlin Klein, who graded out with a position-leading 75.8 overall ranking after a dominant start to his Houston Texans'career.
"We're throwing a lot at him, but he's coming along well," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said ahead of the preseason finale. "It's just climbing the mountain. One step at a time, one day at a time. He's very low on the mountain right now because the peak is the peak. He's got all the tangibles and intangibles to be the peak. It's one day, one step at a time."
Highest Graded Rookie TE from the NFL Preseason: 🔵 Marlin Klein, Texans: 75.8@UMichFootball
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— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 2, 2026
Once thought to be an overdrafted prospect because of his limited production in college, Klein ended up becoming perhaps the team's most consistent rookie. He made waves with his 31-yard catch against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first preseason game. A week later, he caught two passes for 17 yards and was exceptional as a run blocker.
"People are going to assume you're wrong every time as a rookie. They're always going to assume you're wrong until you eventually prove them. Until you eventually prove that you're right," Ryans said. "Marlin has to continue on that path, on that road to continuously prove himself right. Prove the people around him right. I think he's doing a great job of that. His willingness to learn. His willingness to either have a good day, come back and try to stack, or have a bad day and come back. Let's see if we can flip it on its head, right? I've really enjoyed getting to work with him."
Entering camp, many pundits thought Klein was going to be fighting for depth reps. Now, with Week 1 approaching, he could be the No. 2 option behind Dalton Schultz.
The Texans open the year against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 13 at Reliant Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Marlin Klein graded highest rookie TE for peseason by Pro Football Focus
