From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Houston RB Dean Connors.
No. 44 Dean Connors/RB Houston – 5113, 206 pounds (Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Dean Connors 5113/206 9 1/4 29 5/8 71
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.48 1.57 4.29 6.95
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’02” 39 1/2 21
* Pro Day results
The Good
-Runs good routes out of backfield
-Great straight line speed
-Versatility to line up at receiver
-Able to bounce off and run through defenders
-Great receiving production
-Falls forward for extra yards
The Bad
-History of fumbles
-Needs to make quicker decisions
-Blocking could improve
-Inconsistent production in 2025
-Short strider
-Five drops in 2024
-Seven career fumbles
Stats
-Career: 507 carries for 2,656 yards, 147 receptions for 1,166 yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, nine receiving touchdowns
-2025: 200 carries, 977 yards, six rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 254 yards, three receiving touchdowns
-Second among FBS running backs with 62 receptions in 2024
-PFF: 74.1 overall grade in 2025, 75.1 receiving grade was 35th among running backs
Injury History
-Suffered lower-body injury in 2025 Bowl Game, but later returned
Bio
-DOB: August 29, 2003 (22 years old)
-Began career at Riverside Community College in 2021
-Transferred to Rice and spent three seasons with Owls before transferring to Houston for final season
–Father played RB at Oregon and University of the Pacific
-Went to three different high schools
-Born in Oregon, moved to Hawai’i in elementary school
-Lived on a ranch in Oregon
-Started HS career at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy before transferring to play HS football in California
-Can juggle
-Participated in 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, scored a TD in the game
-Dream job is HS Athletic Director
-All-State in track at Murietta Valley in CA
-AP All-Big 12 Fourth-Team in 2025
Tape Breakdown
Connors is a pretty fun player to watch on tape. He’s a Swiss army knife as a running back who also excels as a receiver, but he’s certainly capable of contributing on the ground, too. The biggest thing that stands out when watching Connors run is his ability to fall forward for extra yards.
It shows up over and over on his tape, and that’s a trait that a lot of NFL scouts will like.
He wasn’t utilized as frequently as a receiver at Houston as he was at Rice, but he showed he could still be dynamic catching the football.
At Rice, he was one of the team’s primary targets in the receiving game and would occasionally line up in the slot or out wide.
Connors also exhibits good patience in the backfield.
However, one area where he can improve is making decisions more quickly. He tends to stop at times before making a cut, which can allow defenders to close in on him more quickly before he can make his move.
While Connors is fast, he doesn’t take long strides, which limits his ability to have true breakaway potential. He gets around the edge here, but gets caught up to from behind.
He’s also a work in progress as a blocker. He’s capable as a pass blocker, but can struggle in space sometimes. This particular play isn’t one where he’ll have blocking responsibilities often in the NFL, but overall, his blocking can stand to improve. He does have the framework to be a strong blocker, though, and I believe he will get better at it.
It’s hard not to be impressed with Connors’ toughness and physicality as a runner. He bounces off multiple defenders here for a nice gain.
He cleaned up his drop issues in 2025, but it’s still something to monitor. He had five drops in 2024 at Rice.
He also has a little bit of shiftiness to his game without losing his ability to go north/south.
Conclusion
I came away pretty impressed by Connors’ tape. He’s a guy who excels at doing a lot of the little things that lead to winning football. I think he has a lot of potential as a third-down back at the next level with his receiving ability, but his toughness as a runner leads me to believe he’ll have success on the ground, too. He’s a player who can be used in different ways, and that’s valuable to an NFL team.
My NFL comp is Tevin Coleman.
NFL Draft Projection: Late Day 3/Priority UDFA
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.4 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.7-7.8Games Watched: vs. Arizona (2025), at Arizona State (2025), vs. UCF (2025), at Baylor (2025), at Army (2024), 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
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