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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Poll: Which offensive line position still needs help?
Last week's poll brought the expected response in a landslide of votes. Most Houston Texans fans are still concerned about the state of the 2025 offensive line. Despite very promising showings at OTAs this week from the wide receivers, defensive backs, linebackers and quarterback C.J. Stroud, questions remain. Maybe, the biggest difference for the 2025 season is new offensive coordinator Nick Calley. Well, maybe more than maybe. Advertisement Regardless, we're talking big men in the trenches today. 2025 Houston Texans offensive line depth chart - OTA Edition LT - Cam Robinson LG - Laken Tomlinson C - Jake Andrews RG - Tytus Howard RT - Blake Fisher That's what you call new places for new, and old, faces. And, quite honestly, none of them chase away all doubt. But, it's only May, so the next few months will provide the coaching staff a chance to make alterations as necessary. It should also provide valuable snaps as a unit. As the mighty Matt Weston would tell us, the strength of the o-line is working together, not individually. If this depth chart changes dramatically for minicamps, then again for training camps, it might be a solid expectation that the o-line will struggle for the first half of the season. Advertisement But, leader of men Demeco Ryans is on the job. If he and Calley can get this group of big ballers acting as one, the sky is the limit for this offense. It is the off-season, as we all know, where hope springs eternal. So, let's just assume this is unit that hits the field in week one. Cam Robinson will likely get every chance to succeed before the hook happens. Laken Tomlinson, the former pro bowl guard, is an immediate upgrade. Jake Andrews, former New England Patriots lineman, has allegedly supplanted Juice Scruggs in the anchor spot. Time will tell. Tytus Howard at right guard is a little surprising, although he's moved around the line more than any Texan in recent memory. Advertisement Blake Fisher at right tackle could pay huge dividends. The former Notre Dame monster has been waiting for his chance to grab the brass ring since the Texans took him with the 59th overall pick in 2024. Behind these men we have rookie Aireontae Ersery, the aforementioned Scruggs, Trent 'been playing pro football since before you were born' Brown, Austin Deculus, Eli Cox, Ed Ingram and a few others. Aside from Ersery, who is hopefully a solid backup as he percolates on the bench for 2026, there's not much there. Which brings us to the poll for the week: More from
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans add speed and strength on offense in NBC Sports mock draft
Texans add speed and strength on offense in NBC Sports mock draft The Texans look better on offense after one mock draft. The Houston Texans' 2025 NFL Draft class will be extremely important for the future of the team. While the Texans have a set of core players on both sides of the ball, Houston revamped its offensive line by trading away Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and offensive lineman Kenyon Green. The Texans also traded for Ed Ingram, signed Cam Robinson and inked a short-term deal with Trent Brown. What does all this mean? It's putting a bandaid on a wound that needs stitches to properly heal. Healing is what Houston hopes to find in the upcoming NFL draft when on the clock with four top 100 picks. That's what NBC Sports' Connor Rogers attempted to fix the Texans in his latest mock draft. With four picks at his disposal, the NFL draft analyst made sure to strengthen each minor weakpoint with a major upgrade. At pick No. 25, the Texans land All-SEC left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. At pick No. 58, he has Houston shoring up the receiver room with Ole Miss' Tre Harris. With two picks in the third round, Rogers has the Texans strengthening both sides of the line with LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones (No. 79) and Florida State defensive lineman Josh Farmer (No. 89). "Even after signing Cam Robinson as a stopgap for their offensive line, I expect the Texans to take the best one available in the first round. Banks started at left tackle since he was a freshman for Texas, which speaks volumes about the type of player and person he is," Rodgers wrote. "Harris was a contested catch machine for Jaxon Dart, where he bailed out his quarterback with highlight reel catches on multiple occasions. Jones played right tackle for LSU, but I think his lack of foot speed combined with his brawling mentality fits better at guard. While Florida State struggled, Farmer played a hard, rugged brand of football in the trenches without much help around him." Banks and Harris have been connected to the Texans in recent mock drafts already, especially given that Houston loves to target big-name players from SEC programs. Jones is a new one on Day 2, but he does fit all the qualifiers Nick Caserio loves in mid-round targets. Harris, a 6-foot-1 target who nearly posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Oxford, would be an immediate upgrade as the wide receiver No. 3 entering a crucial season for C.J. Stroud and the Texans' passing game. John Metchie is entering the last year of his rookie deal and Tank Dell is expected to miss most, if not all of the 2025 season with a leg injury. Harris would serve as the "Z" option opposite Christian Kirk in the slot and Nico Collins on the outside. The Texans would also eventually be in a great spot to shift Dell inside to save the injury concerns next season if Harris were to hit as the next Day 2 breakout candidate under general manager Nick Caserio. The four biggest needs for the Texans are left tackle, interior offensive line, a secondary wide receiver and defensive tackle depth. The mock draft hits all four needs so there's little to complain over entering the final stages of the NFL draft.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Experts have three OT prospects to target at No. 25
2025 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Experts have three OT prospects to target at No. 25 The Houston Texans this offseason following the first wave of free agency. No, the two-time defending AFC South champions aren't losers, but calling them winners would be far-fetched. It's hard to say a team won the offseason after trading away a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle while your franchise quarterback is still on his rookie contract. Sadly, the combination of Cam Robinson, Tytus Howard and Blake Fisher will have to make up for the lost production of left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Not every move was terrible. The addition of Christian Kirk in the slot should bolster the passing game for Stroud and take pressure off Nico Collins. The Texans also turned draft bust Kenyon Green into do-it-all defensive back C.J. Garnder-Johnson via trade. They also brought back Sheldon Rankins from the 2023 squad and inked deals with returning defensive linemen Mario Edwards Jr. and Derek Barnett. The defensive additions "open the whole board" for Houston at pick No. 25. That means fans could see the Texans go "best player available" rather than just address a specific need at tackle or guard. Based on most mock drafts, it's quite clear Houston has three targets in mind. We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts can't seem to agree on what direction the Texans are going with the 25th overall pick -- be it offensive tackle, interior offensive line, wide receiver or other spots. ESPN: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: "Even after giving up 54 sacks in 2024 (tied for third-most), Houston traded away its best offensive lineman in left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That's why this pick is easy for me. Simmons has smooth movement traits, and he allowed one sack over 19 starts since shifting to left tackle before the 2023 season. "The only reason I don't have him coming off the board earlier is his knee injury. He went down in October and missed the rest of the season, and he hasn't yet worked out. But once he's healthy, he could step into that LT void and try to turn around the pass protection in Houston." Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas Daniel Jeremiah: "Previously, I had mocked Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka to the Texans, but with the departure of Laremy Tunsil, it feels like the offensive line has moved to the top of the priority list." CBS Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "The signings of Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson, plus the acquisition of Ed Ingram, does not excite me about the future of Houston's offensive line. However, it gives it some options with an extensive history starting in the NFL to the point where it could go best player available. Offensive lineman will be a priority for the Texans, and a really good one happens to be available." Yahoo! Sports: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State Yahoo! Sports' Nate Tice: "They added Stefon Diggs to this group last year, and even if he walks in free agency, it's clear the Texans could use an infusion of talent at wide receiver to stabilize the offense after last season. Egbuka is good all-around, can play inside and out, and he brings toughness." Pro Football Focus: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon PFF's John Kosko: "The Texans are on a collision course to draft an offensive lineman in April, and they select the best one available here. Conerly needs to improve his strength and recovery ability, but his size and movement skills are too good to pass up." FOX Sports: Gray Zabel, OL, North Dakota State FOX Sports' Rob Rang: "The Texans' stunning trade of star left tackle Laremy Tunsil further creates questions for an offensive line that struggled to protect CJ Stroud a year ago. With all sorts of moving parts up front, Houston would be wise to consider Zabel, a do-it-all blocker with experience all over the offensive line and one who erased any doubts about his level of competition by starring at both the Senior Bowl and Combine." 33rd Team: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher: "This mock draft couldn't have fallen any better for the Texans. They get their left tackle of the future, and they don't even need to move up to get him. Josh Simmons has some injury concerns and isn't the most polished player, but he's got the talent to be a franchise left tackle in the right scheme." Athlon Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "Houston already had big needs along the offensive line, and that was before they traded away their starting left tackle in Laremy Tunsil. Their free-agent additions are all band-aids, but Banks has the experience to be a long-term solution at left tackle, as well as the versatility to be an immediate upgrade along the interior." Draft Network: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State Draft Network's Ryan Fowler: "If Josh Simmons were healthy, we're talking about a top-10 pick here and likely the first tackle off the board. However, Simmons remains in the middle of his rehab process but he is expected to be good to go when September rolls around. With Laremy Tunsil now in Washington, Houston not only needs a left tackle, they need more talent up front period. If all goes as planned, Simmons aligns at LT in Week 1 to protect C.J. Stroud's blindside." Pro Football Network: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama Pro Football Network's Marco Enriquez: "The Houston Texans took a step back last season as the offense struggled to find its rhythm and the defense regressed slightly. Needing to switch things up, they also made the shocking move of parting ways with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Investing in the trenches is always a winning formula, and the Texans can begin rebuilding their offensive line in Round 1 in this case. Tyler Booker displays strong technical skills and physical strength as an interior lineman. He has a strong base and generates solid power at the point of attack. Expect him to become a mainstay on the Texans' interior line."
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Alabama OT Cam Robinson signs one-year deal with the Houston Texans
Former Alabama OT Cam Robinson signs one-year deal with the Houston Texans After a brief one-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, former Alabama Crimson Tide OL has agreed to another one-year deal, but this time with the Houston Texans. Robinson was the No. 34 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft to the Texans' AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Outland Trophy winner's new deal is worth $12 million and could be worth up to $14.5 million with bonuses. It will be another prove-it year for Robinson in 2025 as his year in Minnesota was probably the worst of his career and he will be looking to lock up another long-term deal. It will be a huge opportunity for Robinson in Houston to protect their ascending superstar QB C.J. Stroud. The Texans lost a lot of experience from their line a season ago, said Robinson will be expected to be a key piece from early on.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans signing of Cam Robinson needed, but won't change draft plans
Texans signing of Cam Robinson needed, but won't change draft plans Cam Robinson isn't perfect, but he's better than trotting out a rookie at left tackle Week 1. Like it or not, the Houston Texans needed a talent like Cam Robinson in free agency. Losing an offensive tackle of Laremy Tunsil's potential is brutal. Having a mid-first-round rookie offensive tackle come in and replace a five-time Pro Bowler amid a run to the postseason is malpractice for both the player and third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. So yes, the Texans were wise to bring in Robinson, an eight-year starting left tackle with over 100 career games under his belt during his time in Jacksonville and Minnesota, on a one-year deal. With offensive tackles earning $20-plus million, the going rate of $12 million, which could reach $14.5 million if Robinson reaches his incentives, it might be a steal. But the addition of Robinson doesn't solve the Texans' offensive line woes. It doesn't stop Houston from drafting an offensive tackle with the No. 25 overall pick with one of its other six selections. Robinson's arrival alleviates the pressure of a rookie having to impress out of the gate, nothing more. If anything, it' ensures that within the next two years, Houston will have either fixed the offensive line or fired the person in charge of calling the shots, which right now happens to be Cole Popovich. A former All-American at Alabama, Robinson has experience protecting quarterbacks, but the results haven't been kind. He allowed nine sacks in 17 starts, including seven following a trade to the Vikings as the immediate replacement for Christian Darrisaw for a playoff-bound roster. The bigger problem has been allowing consistent pressure. Last season, he gave the most among all offensive lineman (64), including a career-wost 12 in the wild-card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams. There's also injury issues. Since 2017, Robinson has only played in two full seasons, including last year, when he allowed the second-most sacks in his career. He also was slapped with a four-game suspension in 2023 for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, thus costing him money in a restructured contract ahead of the 2024 season. But is he a better option than trusting say Texas All-American Kelvin Banks in Week 1? Absolutely. Does the experience allow him to be a potential upside starter for the first several games of the regular season? Without question. Keep in mind that even with a Pro Bowl talent like Tunsil, the Texans allowed 52 sacks against Stroud, tied for the third-most allowed in the NFL. Robinson's arrival doesn't change Houston's draft plans, either. Should the right tackle be in play, he should be the option for the long haul. If a tackle is gone, the Texans could pivot over to wide receiver or guard rather than trading up to land not their first or second option at tackle. For now, Houston is putting a band-aid on a problem that needs stitches. It'll hold, but it needs proper care if it plans on healing. No, the Texans shouldn't feel content with a swing tackle option starting for 17 games, but for Week 1? It's not an issue.
