Houston Texans: Julién Davenport entering positional battle in 2019
By Jair Lopez
Houston Texans starting left tackle in 2018 is facing more competition to secure a roster spot than in seasons past.
Houston Texans 2017 4rth round draft selection Julién Davenport is facing a tougher road for a starting spot after the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the previous general manager Rick Smith, Davenport will have to survive the new front office regime.
Davenport’s development in his third year will be the most important storyline to follow as he was everything he was advertised being drafted in 2017. He is a raw prospect with intriguing physical attributes for the tackle position.
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Selected from Bucknell as a developmental tackle, Davenport was a shoo-in to make the roster in his second season with Brian Gaine being hired as the new Texans general manager in 2018, but he has to take the next step this season with the Texans bringing in more competition for the upcoming 2019 season.
Texans re-signed Seantrel Henderson to a one year contract after being placed on the injured reserve in the 2018 season opener with a broken ankle. Gaine signed Matt Kalil after he was waived by the Carolina Panthers and drafted Tytus Howard and Max Scharping to play at offensive tackle in the 2019 NFL Draft.
His first couple of seasons weren’t easy for him as he was making the transition from stopping pass rushers in the Patriot League in college to attempting to contain NFL caliber pass rushers. With the Texans trading their Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown they threw Davenport into the fire instead of letting him develop as they had planned in the beginning.
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Davenport’s time is ticking to solidify himself as a long term answer for the Texans in the offensive line but bringing in multiple players that play his position in the offseason will make it sink or swim season for him. If he is able to fend off the competition, Texans will have no reason but to keep him in the starting lineup if he is able to improve in his third season in the offense.