Position analysis: Offensive line
With training camp approaching, we're sizing up the Texans and look at each position group.
The Texans enter the season with an offensive line that could be their best in Bill O’Brien’s seven seasons as head coach. It’s the first time since 2011 the Texans have returned all five regular starters.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, left guard Max Scharping, center Nick Martin, right guard Zach Fulton and right tackle Tytus Howard should provide the kind of continuity and productivity that’s been missing in recent years.
Offensive line coach Mike Devlin also goes to training camp with ample depth in tackles Roderick Johnson, Charlie Heck and Brent Qvale and inside players Greg Mancz and Senio Kelemete.
Under a new rule, teams will be able to suit up eight linemen on game days instead of the usual seven, an advantage for teams with quality depth.
In 2019, the Texans went to training camp with more questions than answers about their offensive line. Howard and Scharping were unproven first- and second-round picks, respectively. O’Brien didn’t make the trade for Tunsil until the week before regular season began.
Once Howard settled in at right tackle and Scharping at left guard, O’Brien thought the missing piece was Tunsil at left tackle. The Texans got Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills from the Dolphins for two first-round draft choices and a second-round pick.
The line showed gradual improvement protecting quarterback Deshaun Watson and opening holes for running backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. When Howard went down for the season with a knee injury in the eighth game, he was replaced by Johnson and Chris Clark.
The linemen enter camp in good shape physically. If they continue to improve, they have the potential to be rated in the top half of the NFL for the first time since early in O’Brien’s tenure with the Texans.
Offensive line at a glance
Under contract: Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Max Scharping, Zach Fulton, Nick Martin, Greg Mancz, Roderick Johnson, Senio Kelemete, Charlie Heck, Brent Qvale, Rick Leonard, David Steinmetz, Kyle Murphy, Elijah Nkansah, Cordell Iwuagwu, Elex Woodworth.
Offseason additions: Heck (North Carolina), Qvale (Jets). Offseason losses: Chris Clark (free agent).
Candidate for breakout season: Howard. The 2019 firstround pick started eight games before a knee injury sidelined him for the season. Still, Howard played so well he was voted to the All-Rookie Team. If he stays healthy, the coaches expect him to excel in his second season and become a force at right tackle. Veteran who might not make final roster: Kelemete. After starting 14 games at left guard in 2018 and helping the Texans win the AFC South, Kelemete spent all but the first game on injured reserve last season. Scharping replaced him in the lineup and isn’t going to give up his starting job. Kelemete, 30, is playing in his ninth season for a team that has a lot of depth on the offensive line.