Houston Texans wide receiver Tyron Johnson was surprised by the team’s interest in him, especially after a draft process during which he said no contact or meetings had taken place with the Texans organization. The only interaction had been a phone call during the hectic, post-draft race for rookie free agents to get signed. It was then that Johnson discovered Houston would offer his best chance to find a way into the NFL.

That decision appears to have been a wise one to this point as Johnson put together strong practices during rookie mini-camp and through all of the off-season work towards the end of mandatory mini-camp. The extended break heading to training camp did not slow him down and the rookie has had a strong first week at Texans training camp.

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The rookie has bought into the Texans mantra of finding his best way to the roster by going the special teams route. Johnson knows that he must help in the return game and with kick coverage to have a chance when the 53-man roster is decided before week one.

“Once I walked away from OTAs, I knew special teams would be my pathway,” Johnson stated. “Working on my craft, but focusing on special teams any more than receiver.”

Johnson has watched his reps increase as the Texans have been using off days to rest key offensive personnel, including Deandre Hopkins and Will Fuller, opening up opportunities for the rookie to make plays.

One of the biggest reasons for Johnson’s seamless transition to the Texans offense was the wide open offense he was part of with Oklahoma State. Johnson describes that unit as an uptempo offense that wanted him to catch the football and hand it to the ref. That is is exactly what he feels he is able to do in the Texans offense right now.

Reliant on former Texans star wide receiver and now coach Andre Johnson for pointers on routes, and asking questions of Hopkins and Fuller in the meeting room, Johnson is soaking in as much information as he can to help him on the football field, allowing him to make plays.

“There's a lot of knowledge that I get as a rookie,” Johnson said of the veteran receivers around him. “I really try to soak up all the knowledge I can get. That is a luxury of me being on this team. Yeah, I got guys that done it before. They’ve been in my shoes so they could give me good advice.”

Even with the return of Hopkins and Fuller, the coaching staff is getting an extended look at Johnson as he lines up with the first team offense with Deshaun Watson pulling the trigger. Johnson knows the has to make the most of those opportunities, running plays with Watson and company. He needs to make those plays count on film.

“I see I'm in the game with Hop. I look over and I see Will and I see DeShaun and I'm like, I gotta make a play,” Johnson explained. “I just can't be in here holding up a spot, I gotta be in and make plays.”

Johnson knows he needs to be more than an outside receiver and he must contribute in the slot when needed to have a chance to be on the roster when all is said and done. For Johnson, it all comes down to making plays on the field, no matter who is throwing him the football.

“My mindset, when I'm in with the ones, is to make plays and my mind set, when I am in with the twos, is make plays. It is still the same mindset every time I step on the field and try to stand out.

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