I think as the NFL progresses towards spread offenses, the chances of picking up a solid left or right tackle via FA is going to get tougher if not impossible. These two positions will become must pay. Teams may not wait for top performing tackles to become FA's to initiate talks.....those talks probably start happening before the final year arrives.
Another spot that will become highly cherished.....the OL Coach. Teams are going to have to find their tackles in the draft and completely groom them. The only way this is going to be successful, teams better have a great instructor who can teach technique and implement an offensive blocking scheme. Me personally, I'd have no issue seeing teams pursuing great OL coaches for the college ranks since most of them have been completely indoctrinated in creating schemes for the spread offense.
I think the Texans possess some very good upside players for the OL but due to OB's inability to decide exactly what type of offense he wants, the personnel to execute his offense, and the OL Coach to both teach and execute the plan then this will continue to be a cluster duck of hope.
Unfortunately, Howard and Davenport are going to have to be taught to man the LT position. Khalil should be there as the veteran mentor and backup when needed but mostly as that second coach on the sidelines who can quickly be in their ear.
I'd be truly relieved to see Rankin listed as the teams LG going into off-season work.
OB and Devlin must identify their lineman and their OL position and put the onus on them to learn and master the position before making them a jack of all trades along the OL.
Texans have 10 OL who need to learn and master the position.
LT- Davenport, Khalil, Howard
LG- Rankins, Kelemete
OC- Martin, Mancz
RG- Fulton, Mancz
RT- Henderson, Scharping
**I'm not concerned in regards to Mancz, he's probably the best Center on the roster and easily can cover RG with little to no downgrade.**
Anyhow, this group would be required, in my world, to take every snap at these assigned positions until Pre-Season Game 3. Give each of them equal reps with the 1st team to better assess their abilities. This would simply become Devlin's last opportunity, and maybe even OB's, to prove they have what it takes to coach up these athletes and instill a scheme they will stick with through the season.