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.
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