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          Third-round pick Justin Reid has chance to start at safety

          Defensive back Justin Reid should see a lot of playing time early for the Texans. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire
          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterAug 22, 2018, 12:00 PM
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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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          A breakdown of the Houston Texans' 2018 draft class and its progress after three weeks of training camp:

          Justin Reid, S, Round 3: Reid is competing with veteran Kareem Jackson to start at safety alongside Tyrann Mathieu. Regardless of whether he begins the season as the starter, he will be on the field often. Mathieu said Reid has stood out to him in camp and noted his on-field sharpness.

          Martinas Rankin, T, Round 3: Rankin missed more than three weeks to start training camp while on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. His absence meant he did not have the chance to compete for the starting job at right tackle, but the coaching staff has been happy with his progress learning the system.

          Jordan Akins, TE, Round 3: Akins will likely back up starting tight end Ryan Griffin this season. He had a good game in the preseason opener, catching two touchdown passes from backup quarterback Brandon Weeden.

          Keke Coutee, WR, Round 4: Coutee has missed most of camp because of an injury, but he impressed the coaching staff in offseason workouts. He has drawn praise from Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins, and should see quite a bit of playing time in the slot once he returns to practice.

          Duke Ejiofor, DE, Round 6: Ejiofor missed the offseason program while rehabbing from a shoulder injury but "really improved" during training camp, according to coach Bill O'Brien. Ejiofor stood out in the first preseason game against the Chiefs with three quarterback hits. If the Texans suffer any injuries to their pass rush, Ejiofor would get the first shot to impress in reserve.

          Jordan Thomas, TE, Round 6: Thomas is likely to be the team's third tight end. Early in camp, O'Brien said he thought Thomas has "actually done a decent job blocking relative to being a young player -- better than I thought he would do." If he can keep that up, Thomas could see action in two-tight-end sets in running situations.

          Peter Kalambayi, OLB, Round 6: Kalambayi hasn't stood out in camp, but should have a chance to contribute on special teams. He saw playing time at both linebacker and on special teams in each of the first two preseason games.

          Jermaine Kelly, CB, Round 7: Kelly started training camp on the PUP list and will have to really stand out on special teams in the final two preseason games to make the roster given the depth the Texans have in that area.