
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reveals position for Aireontae Ersery
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reveals position for Aireontae Ersery
In years past, the Houston Texans would play offensive linemen out of position if they felt like they were one of the five best players on the roster.
That won't be the case for second-round pick Aireontae Ersery. After moving up 10 in the second round to select the Minnesota offensive tackle, the plan is to leave him on the outside rather than try to shift him inside for 2025 as a potential guard option.
"[We] really liked his tape in college at tackle, he played left tackle, so we'll start him out at tackle,' Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday.
Entering rookie minicamp on Friday, no one person on the offensive line can say they'll be a Day 1 starter. Ersery, who hopes to be the long-term replacement for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, might end up winning a starting job, but he won't gain it from the get-go.
Veteran Tytus Howard is likely to be a starter somewhere on the offensive line given his experience, talent and flexibility. The same goes for Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million to replace Tunsil for the short term. Should Easery impress throughout training camp, however, he could move over to right tackle or even force Robinson to switch sides on the offensive line.
A third-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Ersery impressed on the blindside for the Golden Gophers. A three-year starter at left tackle, the Kansas City native only allowed just five sacks and 11 QB hits in over 1,400 pass-blocking snaps in Big Ten games.
Even if Ersery is the long-term ploy on the blindside, he doesn't necessarily have to start this year should Robinson be the best option. He can learn from the former second-round pick and perhaps become the left tackle of the future while transitioning from the college game to the pros.
The Texans begin minicamp on Friday this week.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox Sports
16 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Teoscar Hernández hits a 3-run homer and the Dodgers beat the Padres 5-2 to win the series
Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — Teoscar Hernandez broke a sixth-inning tie with a three-run homer and Michael Conforto also went deep for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Wednesday to take two of three games in the first series this season between the NL West rivals. The defending World Series champions bounced back from Tuesday night's 11-1 loss, a rout so bad for the pitching-strapped Dodgers that utilityman Kike Hernandez pitched the final 2 1/3 innings after starter Matt Sauer threw 111 pitches. Rookie right-hander Ben Casparius got through four innings in his second start of the season, with just one rough patch. He allowed five straight Padres to reach in the second but they got just one run, thanks largely to center fielder Andy Pages throwing out Gavin Sheets at the plate on a 99 mph throw on the fly to catcher Will Smith. After allowing three straight singles, Casparius walked consecutive batters, including No. 9 hitter Martin Maldonado with the bases loaded. Fernando Tatis Jr. then flied out on the first pitch to end the threat. Conforto homered to left-center off Randy Vasquez with one out in the fifth, his fourth. Hernández hit a 420-foot shot to straightaway center field off Jeremiah Estrada with one out in the sixth, his 11th. Freddie Freeman was aboard on a single off Adrian Morejon (3-3), and Smith drew a walk from Estrada. After pulling to 4-2 on Sheets' sacrifice fly in the sixth, the Padres blew another prime scoring chance when Michael Kopech walked the bases loaded with one out in the seventh. Anthony Banda came on and retired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on a weak popup and Manny Machado on a grounder. The Dodgers, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate San Diego in a National League Division Series last year, host the Padres next Monday through Thursday. Key moment Pages' throw home was on the first base side of the plate, but Smith caught it, wheeled around and tagged Sheets. Key stat Lou Trivino (2-0) got the win and Alex Vesia, the Dodgers' eighth pitcher, struck out the side in the ninth for his third save. Up next Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4, 2.20 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at home against San Francisco. Padres RHP Stephen Kolek (3-1, 3.00) starts the opener of a three-game series at Arizona. ___ AP MLB: recommended


Hamilton Spectator
35 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Bo Melton's team-first approach has Packers believing he could thrive as a two-way player
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay's Bo Melton still considers himself a wide receiver first and foremost even as he spends part of the Packers' minicamp working out at cornerback. Melton also isn't about to make any comparisons to Jacksonville Jaguars rookie receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who proved his credentials as a two-way player while winning the Heisman Trophy at Colorado last season. But he's more than happy to test himself out in this role. 'It's just something that came up,' Melton said Wednesday. 'I want to give it a shot. I'm still a wide receiver, so I'm not really transitioning to cornerback, but if it works, it works.' The 26-year-old Melton started giving cornerback a chance as the Packers opened their minicamp Tuesday, one day after Green Bay released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. The idea of testing Melton out on defense actually came up long before that. Melton said it started shortly after the Packers signed Melton off the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad in December 2022. Melton hasn't played defense since high school — he says he worked out on defense early in his college career at Rutgers before getting assigned to receiver — but the Packers like the tackling ability he has shown on special teams. 'Coach (Matt) LaFleur came up and asked me, 'Would you ever think about doing it?'' Melton said. 'I was like, 'If it's going to help the team, I might as well,' you know what I mean? That's my motto since I've been here. I'm a team-first guy.' The scenario still caught his teammates by surprise. Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine said he wasn't aware of the possibility until Melton joined the defensive players in Tuesday's practice. Melton insisted he told his teammates this might be happening, but nobody believed him. Melton's younger brother — Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton — also was stunned. Bo Melton didn't tell his brother about it, so Max learned only after he went on social media Tuesday and saw evidence of Bo backpedaling like a cornerback. 'I'm like, 'What the hell?' … It's just shocking. I'm still in shock,' Max Melton said from the Cardinals' minicamp. Max did say that he believes his brother can succeed as a cornerback. Bo agrees that this can work but realizes it will take time. That became apparent when a reporter brought up Hunter's name during Melton's time with reporters Wednesday. 'Travis is a different athlete, as everybody knows,' Melton said. 'He's a Heisman Trophy winner, won a lot of awards. I'm not going to compare myself to somebody that's done that. But what I will say is I like to run for days.' He also possesses a work ethic that has enabled him to stick on an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent. Melton was on Green Bay's practice squad late in the 2023 season when the Packers activated him for a critical game against the Minnesota Vikings. He caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay's 33-10 victory . The Packers signed him to their active roster shortly afterward, and he caught a touchdown pass in a playoff loss at San Francisco. He played all 17 games for the Packers last season as a reserve receiver and special teams contributor. 'I just love everything about the guy, how he shows up every day ready to compete and give his best effort,' LaFleur said. The Packers are set with Keisean Nixon, Valentine and Nate Hobbs as their top three cornerbacks following Alexander's departure, but they lack proven players behind them. Any contribution Melton could provide would add depth while increasing his value. 'It's just a feel thing right now,' Melton said. 'I still don't know if it's going to be true or not. Coach Matt, we'll figure that out. When I meet with Coach, we'll see what's going on. Right now I'm just going to go train for wideout. I feel like that's where I thrive at, that's where I make plays at. And defense, if it comes, it comes.' Valentine likes what he's seen so far. 'He's been embracing it,' Valentine said. 'I've been trying to show him the ropes a little bit. Give him some DB 101. But he looks natural to me.' Melton believes he can thrive in both spots. His younger brother is eager to find out, even as he gets ready for his own season about 1,800 miles away from Green Bay. Perhaps those cornerback skills run in the family. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds, to be honest,' Max Melton said. 'I'm just excited.' ___ AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Tempe, Arizona, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL:


Fox Sports
37 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Bo Melton's team-first approach has Packers believing he could thrive as a two-way player
Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay's Bo Melton still considers himself a wide receiver first and foremost even as he spends part of the Packers' minicamp working out at cornerback. Melton also isn't about to make any comparisons to Jacksonville Jaguars rookie receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who proved his credentials as a two-way player while winning the Heisman Trophy at Colorado last season. But he's more than happy to test himself out in this role. 'It's just something that came up,' Melton said Wednesday. 'I want to give it a shot. I'm still a wide receiver, so I'm not really transitioning to cornerback, but if it works, it works.' The 26-year-old Melton started giving cornerback a chance as the Packers opened their minicamp Tuesday, one day after Green Bay released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. The idea of testing Melton out on defense actually came up long before that. Melton said it started shortly after the Packers signed Melton off the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad in December 2022. Melton hasn't played defense since high school — he says he worked out on defense early in his college career at Rutgers before getting assigned to receiver — but the Packers like the tackling ability he has shown on special teams. 'Coach (Matt) LaFleur came up and asked me, 'Would you ever think about doing it?'' Melton said. 'I was like, 'If it's going to help the team, I might as well,' you know what I mean? That's my motto since I've been here. I'm a team-first guy.' The scenario still caught his teammates by surprise. Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine said he wasn't aware of the possibility until Melton joined the defensive players in Tuesday's practice. Melton insisted he told his teammates this might be happening, but nobody believed him. Melton's younger brother — Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton — also was stunned. Bo Melton didn't tell his brother about it, so Max learned only after he went on social media Tuesday and saw evidence of Bo backpedaling like a cornerback. 'I'm like, 'What the hell?' … It's just shocking. I'm still in shock,' Max Melton said from the Cardinals' minicamp. Max did say that he believes his brother can succeed as a cornerback. Bo agrees that this can work but realizes it will take time. That became apparent when a reporter brought up Hunter's name during Melton's time with reporters Wednesday. 'Travis is a different athlete, as everybody knows,' Melton said. 'He's a Heisman Trophy winner, won a lot of awards. I'm not going to compare myself to somebody that's done that. But what I will say is I like to run for days.' He also possesses a work ethic that has enabled him to stick on an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent. Melton was on Green Bay's practice squad late in the 2023 season when the Packers activated him for a critical game against the Minnesota Vikings. He caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay's 33-10 victory. The Packers signed him to their active roster shortly afterward, and he caught a touchdown pass in a playoff loss at San Francisco. He played all 17 games for the Packers last season as a reserve receiver and special teams contributor. 'I just love everything about the guy, how he shows up every day ready to compete and give his best effort,' LaFleur said. The Packers are set with Keisean Nixon, Valentine and Nate Hobbs as their top three cornerbacks following Alexander's departure, but they lack proven players behind them. Any contribution Melton could provide would add depth while increasing his value. 'It's just a feel thing right now,' Melton said. 'I still don't know if it's going to be true or not. Coach Matt, we'll figure that out. When I meet with Coach, we'll see what's going on. Right now I'm just going to go train for wideout. I feel like that's where I thrive at, that's where I make plays at. And defense, if it comes, it comes.' Valentine likes what he's seen so far. 'He's been embracing it,' Valentine said. 'I've been trying to show him the ropes a little bit. Give him some DB 101. But he looks natural to me.' Melton believes he can thrive in both spots. His younger brother is eager to find out, even as he gets ready for his own season about 1,800 miles away from Green Bay. Perhaps those cornerback skills run in the family. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds, to be honest,' Max Melton said. 'I'm just excited.' ___ AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Tempe, Arizona, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: recommended