Versatility critical for first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Tytus Howard.
Management thinks Howard can be developed into a high-quality NFL offensive lineman
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard understands the pressure he faces as the Texans’ first-round draft choice.
Howard is the second offensive tackle selected in the first round in team history and the first since Duane Brown in 2008.
Howard has joined an offensive line that needs a first-class upgrade after ranking as one of the NFL’s worst in 2018.
A lot of fans and members of the media wanted general manager Brian Gaine to trade up to select Andre Dillard, the highest-rated left tackle in the draft.
As Gaine showed before and during the first round, the Texans weren’t interested in trading up to get Dillard. Philadelphia did. Now Howard and Dillard will be compared as they progress. That’s fine with coach Bill O’Brien.
During OTAs, O’Brien was asked about Howard and his progress since reporting for the rookie minicamp.
“I know he's a very good kid (and) he works very hard,” O’Brien said. “He’s got good strength, good athleticism. He learns well. He's just getting acclimated to the speed of how we practice. For every rookie, that's a big jump. If he continues to work the way he’s been working, he'll get better every day.”
Howard and Max Scharping are the first tackles drafted in the first two rounds by the Texans. That shows how much O’Brien and Gaine wanted to improve their positions and, ultimately, the offensive line.
Howard, 22, is making a huge leap in his career. He grew up in Monroeville, Ala., and played at Alabama State. Like a lot of linemen, he went to college as a tight end and left as a highly rated prospect at tackle.
O’Brien and offensive line coach Mike Devlin preach versatility. One reason they liked Howard was his credentials as a starter on the left and right sides. In college, he started 11 games at left tackle as a junior and 10 at right last season.
“You have to be versatile in the NFL,” Howard said. “Doing that in college and high school helped me prepare myself for this day. You have to change and look at the different perspective at each position, focus on every play and execute.
“It’s pretty fun. It gives me a chance to get on the field more. If they (want) to move me to any position, I’m going to do it. If that’s the way that I can help my team, I’m down for it.”
Now that he’s healthy, Seantrel Henderson is the right tackle. Howard should compete with Matt Kalil and Julién Davenport on the left side.
Scharping was drafted to play right tackle or move inside to guard.
O’Brien and Devlin want their five best linemen on the field. Depending on how fast he develops, Howard could be one of them by the time the Texans begin the regular season at New Orleans on Sept. 9. Or, as Brown did 12 years ago, he could rotate as a starter until he’s ready to take over the position full time.
Goal is to improve
“I’m not here to say I’m going to start,” he said. “My main focus is getting better every day and being the best teammate I can be to help this team.”
That’s the message O’Brien wants ingrained in his rookies.
Like other rookies, Howard’s head is swimming with his baptismal into the NFL. Hitting is illegal in the offseason program. As he adjusts, his brain will be on overload learning the system, and the Texans will make sure he’s in the best possible physical condition.
“It feels pretty good to compete with some of the older guys,” he said. “Just being behind them and watching and learning you can get a feel for how this thing goes. I’m finding out that the game’s a lot faster in the NFL than it was in college. It’s letting me know I still have a lot of work to do.”
Howard has undergone transformations in his career. He played quarterback in high school before he became a tight end. During his redshirt freshman year, he moved to tackle and started six games on the right side. As a junior, he had improved enough to move effortlessly between both sides.
“It’s a testimony to the type of person I am,” he said about the hard work he’s put into his career mentally and physically. “It’s helped me with this process of being a Texan. My mindset since I’ve been here is, ‘I belong here. I’m here for a reason. I’m here to help this team.’ ”
Howard is with the Texans because they don’t want Deshaun Watson to be sacked 62 times again or knocked down 132 times as he was last season.
“Deshaun’s a great guy, a great leader for this team,” Howard said. “I’m happy to be on this team to help block for him.”
And Watson is happy Howard is on the team.
“I love hearing that,” Watson said. “I make sure that, if they protect me, I can sit back there and make the right decision. We put points on the board and continue to win, and we’re all happy, and we can go celebrate.”
Although Howard hasn’t been at NRG Stadium for long, Watson likes what he sees.
“He loves to compete and have fun,” Watson said. “You can see it in the huddle and the locker room. He brings a little nastiness to the O-line.”
The coaches like Howard’s size (6-5, 322), speed (5.05 at the combine), wingspan (34 inches) and hand size (10½ inches).
As a pass protector, he has good footwork and excellent balance. He’s eager to learn the fundamentals of the position and develop techniques Devlin and the veterans will teach him.
As a run blocker, Howard is quick off the ball to attack defensive ends and linebackers. After the initial wave, he gets on the next level and looks for linebackers and defensive backs to hit.
Putting in the work
Howard has much to improve, too. He must get stronger. He needs to improve his hands and how to counter moves by pass rushers.
The Texans believe what Howard needs can be taught, but it’s going to take time. He’s learning techniques and the playbook at the same time.
“You can’t really distinguish one being more important or harder than the other one because they’re both instrumental to being a great player,” Howard said. “You have to put in the time and work to get better at both. For the most part, I feel like I’m picking it up pretty well. There’s always room for improvement. You have to put that extra work in because the next day you have more put on you. You always have to prepare at a high level.”
And if Howard’s preparation helps his performance, the Texans could see him in the lineup sooner rather than later.