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          NFL Nation

          Re-signing Ryan Griffin gives Texans stability at tight end

          Ryan Griffin had 50 catches for 442 yards and two touchdowns with the Texans last season. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterMar 12, 2017, 12:20 AM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans re-signed tight end Ryan Griffin to a three-year deal.

          Griffin, 27, had his best season of his four-year NFL career in 2016, with 50 catches for 442 yards and two touchdowns.

          Terms: Three years. Money was not immediately available.

          Grade: Griffin's signing gets a B. This was not a flashy addition to the Texans, but they get back a solid player who had his best year in 2016. Giving Griffin a multiyear deal also gives the Texans stability at tight end. C.J. Fiedorowicz will be a free agent after the season, and if Houston cannot re-sign him, they will at least have two tight ends locked up.

          What it means: Re-signing Griffin reunites a Texans' tight end trio that finished last season ranked second in the NFL in targets (175) and receptions (115). Along with Fiedorowicz and Stephen Anderson, the group had 1,094 yards and seven touchdowns. The high usage was a huge jump from the 2015 season -- when the group finished 31st in catches and receiving yards -- because quarterback Brock Osweiler found success with short passes. Osweiler was traded on Wednesday. With the addition of Griffin, the Texans should be set at the tight end position.

          What's the risk: There's not much risk in re-signing Griffin, who had similar playing time to starter Fiedorowicz last season. But Griffin will likely not put up numbers as high next season, depending on who is throwing him the ball, because Osweiler is gone. The Texans likely could not have upgraded at tight end due to their salary cap space available, as they are still looking at adding a quarterback in free agency.