Houston prioritizes backfield versatility by adding the former FBS reception leader, betting on his dual-threat prowess to sharpen the offense while parting ways with tight end Luke Lachey.
The Houston Texans made a quiet but intriguing move on Monday, officially signing running back Evan Hull following a successful tryout at rookie minicamp.
At first glance, Hull’s career stats—49 rushing yards on 20 carries across three teams—don't scream "game-changer." However, looking deeper into the move suggests the Texans are prioritizing a specific archetype for their backfield depth: the pass-catching specialist.
Why Hull? Why Now?
The Texans’ backfield already features a heavy hitter in David Montgomery, but modern NFL offenses thrive on variety. Hull, a former 2023 fifth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, was a prolific dual-threat weapon at Northwestern. In 2022, he led all FBS running backs with 54 receptions, showing a natural ability to operate as a safety valve in the passing game.
By signing Hull, the Texans are likely looking for:
- Third-Down Utility: A back who can reliably catch passes out of the backfield to alleviate pressure on C.J. Stroud.
- Special Teams Contributions: As a fringe roster player, Hull's path to the 53-man roster will require him to prove his worth on kick and punt units.
- Roster Flexibility: Moving on from Luke Lachey suggests the team feels comfortable with their tight end depth (likely led by Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan) and sees a greater "upside" in testing a versatile back like Hull.
The Other Side Of The Coin
In the NFL, the distance between "draft day sleeper" and "roster casualty" is often measured in a matter of months. We saw that cold reality play out on Monday as the Houston Texans waived tight end Luke Lachey to clear a spot for Evan Hull.
On paper, it’s a standard transactional swap that involves a move to bolster backfield depth at the expense of a developmental project. But for those watching the trajectory of this roster, cutting ties with Lachey feels like a premature surrender on a high-upside frame.
It’s a tough break for a second-year player still trying to find his footing in the league. Lachey has the physical tools to be a contributor elsewhere, but in Houston, his time simply ran out before it ever really began.
The Verdict
This is the definition of a "bottom-of-the-roster" chess move. While Hull has struggled to find a permanent home after stints with the Colts, Steelers, and Saints, he possesses a skill set—receiving and pass protection—that fits the Texans' offensive scheme.
Cutting a young prospect like Lachey is always a risk, but in the search for a complete backfield, Houston is betting that Hull's collegiate pedigree can finally translate into NFL production. If he can recapture his Northwestern form, the Texans might have just found a bargain-bin contributor for their 2026 campaign.