Tunsil proves he was worth No. 1 picks by protecting Watson.
Willingness to trade first-round picks for Tunsil shows how much team values having elite tackle
The element of time is crucial for any passing game and the health of the quarterback.
That’s why having an elite left offensive tackle is such a coveted commodity. Without a blocker capable of stonewalling pass rushers and creating a safe pocket, the quarterback is in serious danger of absorbing heavy punishment.
That’s the reason why the Texans made such a hefty investment of draft capital to land Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil via a blockbuster trade with Miami that involved sending away a pair of first-round picks.
Adding a cornerstone presence for their offensive line was intended for pivotal moments like the Texans’ playoff game Saturday afternoon against Buffalo at NRG Stadium. It’s a testament to how much the Texans value Tunsil, an athletic 6-5, 313-pound former first-round draft pick.
“You’ve got to embrace that challenge,” Tunsil said of what the trade says about his skills. “You’ve got to be a competitor and embrace challenges like that.”
Tunsil became the first Texans offensive lineman to be named to the Pro Bowl since left tackle Duane Brown in 2014. He’s just the fourth offensive lineman in franchise history to achieve that status.
“Laremy is a special player,” said Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills, a former Dolphins teammate who was part of the big trade. “We all have confidence in him locking down his side and taking care of his job. When you can have a left tackle do that in the NFL and protect the quarterback, it’s special.”
Tunsil allowed just three sacks this season and had an 89.9 pass blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranked him second in the NFL behind Baltimore left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
“I feel like L.T. is the best left tackle in the game,” Texans running back Carlos Hyde said. “He’s proved that this year. He’s had a big year since getting traded here.”
A year ago, the Texans’ offensive line was a mess.
Watson was sacked a leaguehigh 62 times and hit 133 times overall. He was bashed for eight hits and two sacks during a playoff loss to Indianapolis last January.
This year, Watson was only sacked 44 times as the offensive line allowed 50 sacks overall and 92 quarterback hits.
Tunsil’s presence has been a game-changer.
“It’s always good to have a guy that’s very confident and good at what he does, especially being the left tackle,” said Watson, who has passed for 3,852 yards and 26 touchdowns. “It doesn’t just help me. It helps the rest of the guys on the front and the receivers and being able to be on the same page.”
Because of Tunsil’s ability to frustrate pass rushers, Watson usually has enough time to throw. He connected with DeAndre Hopkins for 104 receptions, 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Laremy is a great player,” Hopkins said. “What he does, it shows for itself. It definitely helps out a lot of things to have him on your squad.”
The Texans especially need Tunsil to be on point Saturday.
The Bills’ third-ranked defense has recorded 44 sacks and features several dangerous pass rushers. That includes Jordan Phillips (9½ sacks), Shaq Lawson (6½ sacks), former University of Houston All-American and first-round draft pick Ed Oliver (5 sacks) and Jerry Hughes (4½ sacks).
“It’s a good front seven,” Tunsil said. “The mentality is to keep my quarterback clean, no hits, no sacks. That’s a pride you’ve got to take as an offensive lineman. We want No. 4 to be up. That’s our mentality. We’re pretty cool. You’ve got to be close with the quarterback.”
Tunsil could become the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL this offseason. His new deal could exceed Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson’s $72 million.
The Dolphins previously exercised Tunsil’s 2020 fifth-year option for $10.35 million, so the Texans have him under contract for next season.
The Texans are determined to lock up Tunsil to a long-term contract extension. No contract negotiations have been launched at this time between the team and Tunsil’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, of Creative Artists Agency, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly. But those conversations are expected to take place in the offseason.
“Yeah, he’s been a good addition,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s done a good job in a lot of different areas. There’s a lot that he continues to work to improve on, but he’s been a good addition. It’s not easy to come in the way he came in and learn right away. I think he’s done a good job of coming in here and playing at a high level.”
The only drawback with Tunsil is his tendency to commit penalties. He led the NFL with 18, with three declined, including an NFLhigh dozen false starts, and has stalled nine drives.
“I think he’s one of the better offensive linemen in the league,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “He plays at a high level and he’s tough to beat.”
This marks Tunsil’s second career playoff game. As a rookie in 2016, the Dolphins lost to Pittsburgh in the wild-card round.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to be in the postseason,” Tunsil said. “It feels great to be around this group of guys and head into the postseason.”