Reed joined Houston after being drafted by the Texans. While Week 1 didn’t feature him on the field, his camp presence suggested potential depth-chart competition and special-teams value, with upside if his role grows as the Texans expand their defensive backfield depth.

Reed, a Texans rookie, is expected to compete for first-team reps and could be a focal point of Week 1 plans if Mills takes time to gel. Joint practices with Carolina should accelerate his learning curve, while Mills’ veteran presence might free Reed to grow in coverage versatility.

Jaylen Reed signed a four-year contract with the Texans worth approximately $4.95 million. He was a sixth-round pick with impressive college statistics including three interceptions and 98 tackles during his time at Penn State.

Selected by the Texans, Reed is a notable draft pick from Penn State, recognized for his impactful performance in the 2024 season which included All-Big Ten honors and significant contributions during the College Football Playoffs.