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Texans Offensive Line
- Thread starter 76Texan
- Start date
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
As they say in the used car business, "Previously Owned".
cland
Rookie
Except then you look at LT and say they only brought in a guy coming off a serious knee injury, as opposed to a guy that has started there for 8 years and is coming off of a healthy season. This is all just arguing about the correct size and place of a band-aid for fairly non-significant one-year NFL money.
How much did they offer Zeirler?
Porky
Hall of Fame
Zeitler signed for 9 million in Tenn and was exceptional last year. I have no idea if the Texans reached out or made an offer, but they should have.
Exactly
TexanBorn51
All Pro
I'm just luvin it that is all this OL!
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
Here is my issue, they said inside out, right? CJ is a qb who can navigate edge pressure. What he can't do is have pressure in his face off the snap. I would've preferred them spending 8m on James Daniels and 10m on Becton. Then you can play whomever at tackle. Paying Robinson 12m, Rankins 7m, that doesn't make sense when they said protect the qb inside out. Now with the restructure of Howard, that tells me he's going inside full time. They can get a good guard in the 2nd and 3rd rd with the UGA kid and Emory Jones. The Oregon kid will be there also. Still, I would have preferred them to answer the riddle like the Bears and Vikings did.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
12m is what I read , up to 14m
He's making the same as Cam Robinson & we said that was starting Tackle money?
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
I think they are going to wait until after the draft to decide where Howard will compete. Will he be competing for an OT position or will they draft an interior OL they feel good about competing? If they don’t get a starter quality interior OL (they are likely gone by end of day 2) then Howard goes inside.
If they do get a shiny new interior OL that can start then Howard is competing for a tackle position.
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
Ourlads Texans OL depth chart:
Regarding the top 4 OT candidates: Robinson, Howard, Fisher and Brown. All but Robinson have starting experience at both OT spots. Let the competition sort itself out and loser goes to swing OT.
Interior positions:
Tomlinson LG
Patterson C
Ingram RG
Scruggs has gained starting experience at all 3 interior OL positions first two seasons. Depending who they get in the draft, have Howard compete with Tomlinson at LG if you don’t get a prospect there… have Scruggs compete anywhere competition is lacking on the interior OL and see if he can win out.
I am not looking too hard at center-only prospects. I see Patterson as a center-only player and don’t think the team will carry two such players on the roster. Yes, Patterson has experience playing guard in a pinch, but I am only looking at him as a center this season.
I think with the vet additions it’s not a “have to pick OL at 25”. A day 2 guy to compete would fit in as well. This unit is filled with former 1st/2nd round picks. Someone thought they had talent at some point and in the case of Robinson, Ingram and Brown they have been solid starters elsewhere at different points in their careers. Get 5 solid players wherever you can and that will be a massive upgrade over what we saw last season.
Regarding the top 4 OT candidates: Robinson, Howard, Fisher and Brown. All but Robinson have starting experience at both OT spots. Let the competition sort itself out and loser goes to swing OT.
Interior positions:
Tomlinson LG
Patterson C
Ingram RG
Scruggs has gained starting experience at all 3 interior OL positions first two seasons. Depending who they get in the draft, have Howard compete with Tomlinson at LG if you don’t get a prospect there… have Scruggs compete anywhere competition is lacking on the interior OL and see if he can win out.
I am not looking too hard at center-only prospects. I see Patterson as a center-only player and don’t think the team will carry two such players on the roster. Yes, Patterson has experience playing guard in a pinch, but I am only looking at him as a center this season.
I think with the vet additions it’s not a “have to pick OL at 25”. A day 2 guy to compete would fit in as well. This unit is filled with former 1st/2nd round picks. Someone thought they had talent at some point and in the case of Robinson, Ingram and Brown they have been solid starters elsewhere at different points in their careers. Get 5 solid players wherever you can and that will be a massive upgrade over what we saw last season.
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
Regarding size/length profiles:
The only OTs with sub 34” arms on the roster are Zach Thomas (33 7/8”) and Jaylon Thomas (31 7/8”). Both thought of as camp bodies only.
They added Trent Brown and Cam Robinson who both have 35+” arms and Caserio has drafted Fisher and Deculus (34+” arms). Tytus Howard has 34” arms as well.
I suspect length is a thing in their evaluations. The top OTs in this year’s class have sub 34” arms. I think if Texans draft an OL day 1 or 2 they are looking at them as an interior OL prospect where their body types fit more in line with who they have on the roster.
The only OTs with sub 34” arms on the roster are Zach Thomas (33 7/8”) and Jaylon Thomas (31 7/8”). Both thought of as camp bodies only.
They added Trent Brown and Cam Robinson who both have 35+” arms and Caserio has drafted Fisher and Deculus (34+” arms). Tytus Howard has 34” arms as well.
I suspect length is a thing in their evaluations. The top OTs in this year’s class have sub 34” arms. I think if Texans draft an OL day 1 or 2 they are looking at them as an interior OL prospect where their body types fit more in line with who they have on the roster.
cland
Rookie
Agreed, I think it's too early to pencil in starters at this point in time. They're trying to fill the room with some talent and then see which 5 become part of a starting line through training camp. This is the opposite of what they did last year--so how can that be bad?--by starting Kenyon Green at a position (for way to long), due to the round he was drafted.
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cland
Rookie
**speculation** Caserio has gone on record that he likes to operate in a two-year window. I think there's a chance that he looks at the 2026 draft class as a better round for the classic LT player. He does have an extra bullet (extra 2nd) in 2026 if he feels the need to jump up to get one. **/speculation**
Here's a list of the Patriots OT picks from 2011-2019 while Caserio was director of player personnel. Caley and Popovich were in Foxboro from 2015. I didn't include arm length, so here are those measurements.
Solder - 35.5"
Cannon - 34"
Fleming - 34"
Garcia - 33.375"
McDermott- 34.75"
Wynn- 33.375"
Cajuste- 34"
The average arm length is 34.14" with the high at 35 -1/2" and the low 33-3/8" (twice). Simmons' arm length would be lower than any of those OTs drafted, but his size would be almost exactly the average, 6'5" 317 lbs. And the Patriots, and Caserio, have not been afraid of drafting injured players.
Banks also fits the size profile at 6'5" 315 lbs. His arms are 1/2" shorter than average, but slightly above the length of the low end. Banks has started all games at LT since entering college (42), and won both the Outland and Lombardi awards as the best collegiate lineman.
I can't see the less than 34" arm length being the mitigating factor in drafting Banks or Simmons. Now whether the Texans have an opportunity to draft either is another question. In fact, there might not be a player at 1.25 that carries a 1st round grade. Which could mean the Texans move down and accumulate picks, or move up for a LT.
But the Texans have maneuvered in FA to avoid having to play a rookie LT. If they don't go LT in this draft they would be extending the bridge LT situation to 2 years. Likely drafting in the bottom 10 of the 2026 draft, having to move way up would still be in play. And if the 2026 draft is considered a notch above 2025, moving up would be more expensive and more difficult.
Looking at the time value of draft picks, 2025 makes the most sense for taking a LT.
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Maybe. My point is Howard counts $24M this season & next, that's not IOL money if $14M is starting Tackle money for Cam Robinson.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
I think total wingspan is also taken into consideration - some guys have broader shoulders than others.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
There are some nice prospects in this draft even into the 3rd round.
Depends on if you think Robinson is the player he was with the Jags last yr or the player he was with the Vikes. Obviously Caserio/Ryans/Caley/Popovich think they're getting the Jags version of Robinson. Obviously you dont, when they traded Tunsil they created this situation. Robinson/Brown are their short term answers. But guess what, if they dont draft somebody to train up (Doesn't have to be in the 1st rd.) they will be back in the same situation next yr.
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Agreed, and this is why I hope that Banks falls to them at 1-25. Put him at LG which will solve one issue and they're banking on one of Tomlinson/Ingram/Scruggs solving the RG issue, then move Banks to LT in 2026. It's very risky playing a rookie at LT but if anybody could do it, it would be Banks. But that wouldn't be optimal IMHO.
BTW, I was hoping Caserio/Ryans were going to do some form of what you suggested with Becton/Daniels. They could've done this spending about 18 mil per yr over 3 yrs.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
With the hiring of Robinson and Brown, both of whom have injury histories, our line is starting to take on the look of a patchwork one.
Texans are hedging their bets hoping that if one goes down, the other slides into the void.
They really do need to do their homework and draft our future LT and blood him on the interior.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Your first pick in the draft has to be a home run. Texans have to decide if they want to at least attempt to solidify the line this year with the first pick or possibly target someone next year but some of the guys on the line won't be here next year so it makes sense to find a plug for that hole this year.
If they really think they have that guy in this draft, I can see them moving up to get him.
I don't think there are too many pundits in here that would disagree with the notion that OL is the priority for us in this draft.
Who did you want the starting LT to be next yr? Robinson (While avg) was the best LT left on the market. (Depending on what you think of Willis)
Do you really want to depend on Brown coming off a serious injury to be the starting LT? Forget about Howard as a starting LT.
badboy
Hall of Fame
So we're back to drafting a left tackle?
Porky
Hall of Fame
Why forget about Howard? I’m not thrilled with Robinson. But one of those two would be my short term answer while a draft pick is brought up to speed…if they draft a tackle.
They should be and it doesn't have to be a 1st rd pick. But they need somebody to train up to be the LT of the future.
KoolAid Sipper
AFCEVET
Last year, the Bengals signed a healthy Trent Brown to a 1 year contract as a RT bridge while they prepared to start 1st rd pick Amarius Mims at the position in 2025. But Brown's injury accelerated their timeline. This year, we signed an injured Brown as part of our process, alongside the underwhelming Cam Robinson. Remember the Vikings only traded for Robinson because their starting left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, suffered a season ending knee injury and they needed a stopgap option. Despite all the concern at left tackle, I still believe the weakest point on the line is at LG and that includes the recent signings.
badboy
Hall of Fame
I agree and think that between Robinson and Brown we will get a full year for one to develop. Just depend on who is there at our pics.
badboy
Hall of Fame
I think agility, ability to mirror the defender and kick slide as well as football intelligence is extremely significant. Take a guy like Charles Grant and he just seems to win every time.
badboy
Hall of Fame
I look at 2025 as Caserio trying to get out of a bind and into a better situation. Hopefully, Howard will look so good this year in one of the positions that he can be traded for a significant draft pick and move out millions of cap space
Or... maybe the Texans have been working on the OL for a few years now & we just didn't have the coaches to develop the players. Like remember when "we'd" complain about all the 1st & 2nd round picks on our OL?
Juice & Patterson can play & I think Broeker is still around, I think they thought highly of him at one time. Physically Tomlinson & Ingram should be able to get the job done. We just need to get them to play much better together.
I don't think OL has any particular priority in this draft. IMO, the Texans need to identify the best players in the draft & find a way to get as many of them as possible.
That's the only way this team is actually going to get better. If we're constantly trying to "solve problems" in the draft we're just chasing our tails.
& he was playing on the Jaguars Franchise tag, they wanted to get something for him & not the nothing they'd have got if they couldn't extend him.
We're probably only keeping 3 OTs on the roster. Robinson, Fisher, & Brown
Meaning the Texans see see Howard as the LG for 2025.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Perhaps, but I will be surprised if they don't draft a developmental left tackle.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Personally, I’m not sold on any of the current LG’s on the roster. I’m drafting LG- Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) to have in the ready, if Howard lives up to his past crappy performances and Tomlinson doesn’t offer a better alternative…..Jackson would be starting sooner than later.
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That money is why Howard wasn't biotching about being moved to LG last season. He's getting his $$.
Are they going to go back to the old RS days where players played based on what they get paid rather than performance?
Brown has been signed, but he is no lock to make this roster. Certainly not a lock to be available opening day.
That could make sense for the Texans as they have positioned themselves to give a guy like Grant a redshirt year to coach up, get stronger.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Plus if we could use a late round 3 to give us a future LT, man that opens up 25, 58 and 79! Depending who is there each pick, Nick could go crazy!
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I consider the TE position to be part of the OL.
cland
Rookie
You guys crack me up. Everyone says "You win in the trenches!", "We need a dominate offensive line!", "Pass protection for the QB!", and "Running games win in the playoffs!". Then the first round comes around and everyone is immediately distracted by the bright, shiny, play-making, new toys and in this particular case the name fits, "Golden."
I'm sticking with Harbaugh's side, "You're gonna say 'what about a weapon?' Offensive linemen we look at as weapons." and "Offensive lineman are the tip of the spear!"
Heck, if last year taught us anything it's that no matter how much talent you have at WR/TE/RB it's all for naught if your offensive line is terrible. I (and I'm sure a few others) still remember buying into the hype last off-season that our offense was going to be unstoppable with CJ, Nico, Diggs, Dell, Schultz, and Mixon.
I'm sticking with Harbaugh's side, "You're gonna say 'what about a weapon?' Offensive linemen we look at as weapons." and "Offensive lineman are the tip of the spear!"
Heck, if last year taught us anything it's that no matter how much talent you have at WR/TE/RB it's all for naught if your offensive line is terrible. I (and I'm sure a few others) still remember buying into the hype last off-season that our offense was going to be unstoppable with CJ, Nico, Diggs, Dell, Schultz, and Mixon.
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
That sounds great but Harbaugh’s spear got ripped in half and shoved up his QB’s rear in the playoffs. Only playoff caliber weapon they had was Mcconkey and Herbert was put in the pressure cooker.
There’s a balance. You need good OL play. To win in the playoffs, you also need playmaker(s) who can create with suboptimal blocking. Because more than likely you’re gonna need to beat a defense that is gonna get their wins even against the best OL. Like the mighty Houston Texans defense!
While I agree with you, the TE has a large part in the success/failure of the OL. I consider the TE position to be an extension of the OL. I would be very happy with rds 1-3.
1-25 Loveland
2-58 Milum
3-79 Kyle Williams
3-89 Shemar Turner or Ty Robinson
badboy
Hall of Fame
You seem to be saying that offensive lineman can only be found in round 1? Also, Matthew Golden is an extremely good wide receiver who could be a rookie pro bowler. I have not seen anyone give him even an average evaluation review. Having said that, I want the overall team to get better just not one or two positions. I think we can get wide receivers and an offensive lineman in round three to meet our future needs.
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cland
Rookie
I'm saying what the overall draft odds are saying (for the 100th time). %50 of 1st rounders ever become NFL starters, %33 of second rounders, and %16 of third rounders. If you dedicate every 2nd and 3rd rounder in the draft to the offensive line you'll net 1 starter every two years.