Houston Texans: Preseason depth chart projection
By Randy Gurzi
Tackle: Duane Brown, Derek Newton
This is a sure thing as the Texans feel very good about their book end tackles. Both Duane Brown and Derek Newton have played very well in recent years, and are locked up contractually for the next few seasons.
Brown is a three-time Pro Bowl tackle, and has been great for Houston ever since they used a first round pick on him in 2008. This past season though was a tough one for Brown as an early hand injury slowed him down and caused him to miss some games and then a quad injury finished his year as surgery was required.
The good thing for the Texans blind side protector is that according to Adam Wexler of Click 2 Houston, Brown looks like he should be ready to go for the season opener.
Newton on the other hand was picked in the final round of the 2011 draft and has been a pleasant surprise for the Texans. In 2015 he stepped up and was able to slide over to guard for the team after injuries devastated their lineup and they had no one else to fill in at left guard.
He has never made a Pro Bowl, but the sixth-year player has started 62-of-76 career games and just keeps doing his job the right way.
Next: Guard