It's often difficult for seventh-round picks to make the initial 53-man roster. And even if they crack the team, their odds of having a long NFL career are slim. This is why it wasn't necessarily shocking to see Derek Parish spend a few months with the Jacksonville Jaguars after they picked him in Round 7 of the 2023 draft.
What's a bit surprising is that Parish has resurfaced in the NFL after a three-year hiatus and is now a member of the Houston Texans after playing in the United Football League and the Canadian Football League before returning to the NFL.
Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news that Parish was signing with Houston. The team announced the move not long after.
We have signed Derek Parish and made other roster moves. pic.twitter.com/JpOKCViOcK
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 26, 2026
Why the Texans signed Derek Parish
The Texans are dealing with injuries at defensive end. Jadeveon Clowney and Dominique Robinson are being held out of practice. Moreover, Dylan Horton tore his ACL and will miss the 2026 season. This is why it made sense for Houston to bring in reinforcements. However, Derek Parish was probably the last player you imagined they would sign off the streets.
Then again, the former Houston Cougar has been busy honing his craft and may have a chance not only of making the roster but also contributing next season. Last season, he appeared in 10 games for the DC Defenders, registering 23 total tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
Derek Parish was a forgettable Trent Baalke pick with with the Jaguars
The Derek Parish pick was always a bit puzzling. After all, he played fullback and moonlighted at defensive end in collegue. However, the Pearland, Texas native was going to have trouble making the roster at either position, which is what ended up happening.
It's also worth noting that Jacksonville had three seventh-round selections in 2023, and all of them flopped. Granted, you don't expect to find a Hall-of-Famer at that point of the draft, but finding a handful of depth pieces or developmental prospects is a realistic goal. The Jags (and Trent Baalke) didn't.
Coper Hodges, Raymond Vohasek, and Parish were forgettable during their stint in Duval. Of the three, Hodges showed the most promise, but injuries prevented him from developing and playing a single offensive snap in the regular season. After two seasons, the Jags had seen enough and pulled the plug on him in 2025.
On the other hand, the Jaguars managed to find several key contributors in the 2023 draft. Left tackle Anton Harrison (Round 1), Brenton Strange (Round 2), and linebacker Ventrell Miller (Round 4) will either start or have prominent roles next season.
Moreover, Parker Washington (Round 6) is the team's No. 1 receiver, and Safety Antonio Johnson (Round 5) has also developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Strange has also signed an extension, and it may be a matter of time before Harrison and Washington get new deals.
Circling back to Derek Parish, it's refreshing to see that he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He put his head down, kept grinding, and managed to get a chance with the Texans. Even if his effort doesn't result in a roster spot, the fact that he's gone this far is worth recognition.
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