As the Houston Texans prepare for training camp’s first practice later this month, media outlets prepare to unveil their way-too-early power rankings. Some come with an overall feel of franchises after the offseason.
Others break down position groups and let arguments run rampant before Week 1 arrives. Most recently, Pro Football Focus released their offensive line power rankings heading into the new season.
Houston, which last season allowed 47 sacks to C.J. Stroud and Case Keenum, ranked among the bottom-half rankings at No. 22.
We never got to see the true potential of the Texans’ offensive line in 2023 due to injuries. Houston boasts one of the best left tackles in the league in Laremy Tunsil, especially when it comes to pass protection, and Shaq Mason is still a reliable veteran at right guard. However, the other players on the line are either unproven or young players who so far have not proven to be long-term solutions at their positions. – PFF
To be fair, injuries were a mainstay in trench play last season for the AFC South champions. Mason was the only player to start all 17 games and both playoff matchups at his natural position.
Even though Tunsil was fantastic en route to his fourth Pro Bowl nomination, he missed three games due to a lingering knee issue. Tytus Howard rotated between positions before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late November.
The Texans were a bottom 10 team running the football in 2023
The addition of Joe Mixon + a healthy offensive line is going to open up CJ Stroud’s game tremendously
5k yards coming throwing to Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz. pic.twitter.com/WKY89dm9bf
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) June 30, 2024
Former first-round pick Kenyon Green was ruled out for the year before the season began with a shoulder injury, thus leading a constant carousel at left guard. Kendrick Green, Jarrett Patterson, Juice Scruggs, and Howard each started at least two games inside, with Green being the only natural guard.
All four players also spent time on the IR, with Scruggs being the only active player by the season’s end. He’s expected to return to his natural center position and remain the long-term option as the Stroud’s snapper.
It might feel low entering the season, but the Texans still have questions about Kenyon Green and Howard’s future status entering the year. Green spent the entire season shedding weight and putting on muscle, so he could be in line for a breakout season if he can stay on the field.
Howard, who before the start of last year’s training camp inked a three-year extension, has dealt with multiple lower-body injuries since being drafted out of Alabama State in 2019. Houston plans on giving him first-team reps at right tackle, but general manager Nick Caserio might have drafted Howard’s replacement in Notre Dame tackle Blake Fisher.
Fisher, who started 27 games for the Irish over three years, likely would have been a first-round pick if he returned to South Bend for his senior season. Consider 2024 a redshirt year for the 6-foot-6 tackle as he transitions to taking on more agile pass rushers.
As best as I could this early in the league calender I ranked all 32 OL units into tiers. I have the Texans as a top 10 overall unit entering 2024. High-end talent, depth, system, QB. It's all there for the OL to thrive.
Full rankings: https://t.co/Ml2iJe99De pic.twitter.com/M97M3RLlef
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) July 2, 2024
Compared to the rest of the division, Houston stacks up well. Indianapolis, which features three Pro Bowl linemen, ranked third overall behind Detroit and Philadelphia.
Jacksonville, which added former Buffalo center Mitch Morse, fell one spot behind Houston at No. 23. Tennessee, arguably the NFL’s worst offensive line last season, moved up two spots to No. 30 after adding Lloyd Cussenberry in free agency and drafting Alabama’s JC Latham last April.
The Texans and their hopeful healthy offensive line return to NRG Stadium for the start of training camp on July 18.
