Houston Texans: Christian DiLauro adds versatility to offensive line
The Houston Texans have been the worst offensive line for several years now, and now they’ve signed tackle Christian DiLauro to help improve the unit.
The Houston Texans have given up the most sacks over the last two seasons, and still have significant problems on the offensive line entering the 2019 season. They made Tytus Howard and Max Scharping their first and second-round draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, which was actually great because each of them is versatile.
Both Howard and Scharping each played guard and tackle, which will help the Texans keep them on the field. The Texans have had significant questions with Matt Kalil, who hasn’t been able to stay healthy in training camp; they have also gotten uneven play from Nick Martin,who is returning from an extended absence due to a hamstring injury.
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In addition, Zack Fulton went down with a turf toe during Saturday’s game against the Cowboys, so the Texans need more offensive line help ahead of their last preseason game. Fulton proved to be versatile, as he’s played guard for most of his career in Houston but has played center with his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. His ability to play center could possibly push into Martin’s reps, and leave his job in question beyond 2019.
The Texans added another versatile lineman by signing tackle Christian DiLauro, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. DiLauro is another versatile lineman, as he’s a tackle but also played guard in college at the University of Illinois.
DiLauro made an immediate impact for the Fighting Illini, as he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2014. DiLauro was also named to the Athlon Sports preseason All-Big Ten third team as a junior in 2016.
DiLauro went undrafted in 2018, but the 6-5 280-pound lineman was signed by the Cleveland Browns up until being released by them shortly before the start of the 2018 season. He would later be added to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers and remained for the duration of the 2018 season. He stayed on the 49ers for the entire offseason up until being released on Wednesday the 21st of August.
Whether DiLauro makes the final 53-man roster or the practice squad for the Texans will likely depend on how well he plays in the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
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The fact that the Texans signed DiLauro so close to the end of the preseason would seem to bode well for his chances as he has the versatility that the Texans covet.