Wrestling through jams at the line of scrimmage to break into his patterns, Texans rookie wide receiver Will Fuller is adjusting to the nuances of escaping press coverage one week into his first NFL training camp.

Although Fuller is arguably the fastest player on the roster with a 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash, the first-round draft pick has to grapple with older, stronger cornerbacks to create separation into the secondary.

“Just need to be a little more physical with the cornerback," Fuller said. Everybody out here is a lot stronger than in college so just being more physical and staying on top of my body.”

Although relatively slender and listed at 6-1, 172 pounds on the Texans' roster, Fuller is one of the most athletic players on the defending AFC South champions. He's honing his pass patterns and getting himself accustomed to the rigors of the game.

Fuller has made several splash plays since his arrival at camp, beating cornerbacks with his superior speed. He's aware there's much more to the game than his explosiveness as far as selling routes and having the strength required in a physical league.

“Yeah, definitely a mindset," Fuller said. "The NFL is a big mind game so you have to stay on top of that. Yeah, just getting in the weight room with our strength and conditioning coach and going at it hard. I get better at the playbook just by working it out, getting reps at each position and making it hard for myself. It’s easier in the game and in game-like situations.”

Excelling as the primary deep threat at Notre Dame, Fuller caught 144 career passes for 2,512 yards and 30 touchdowns. He averaged 20.3 yards per catch last season.

Drafted with the 21st overall pick after the Texans traded up one spot to ensure they would land him, Fuller caught 62 passes for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as a junior before declaring early for the draft. He caught a career-high 76 passes for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Fuller said it’s not difficult for him to gain weight and maintain his speed even in the Texas heat.

“If I’m eating right and I’m working out good, I gain weight pretty good,” said Fuller, a Philadelphia native. “The heat, you’ve got to stay on top of that. I’m losing when I’m out here. I got to go back in there and gain.”

Except for the occasional drop, a shortcoming from his college days usually linked to concentration lapses or catching the football with his body, Fuller has been sure-handed at training camp.

"Yes, Will's physical enough," Texans receivers coach Sean Ryan said. "I think every receiver I've ever coached daily you work on releases. It's a difficult part of the game. You have to be great with your hands, great with your feet."

Signed to a four-year, $10.164 million contract that includes $9.859 million guaranteed, a $5.592 million signing bonus and a standard fifth-year team option, Fuller is building chemistry with new quarterback Brock Osweiler.

“Brock does a good job of reaching out when he wants something done different or if you do something good he’ll let you know,” Fuller said. “So the chemistry is real good with him. He communicates so much so it’s real good for the receivers.”

Fuller remained in town following minicamp and organized team activities, training at Footwork Kings with Rischad Whifield, who also trains Andre Johnson and Emmanuel Sanders.