Houston Texans news for 2020 should include the overall improved play of Tytus Howard.
When the Houston Texans news broke last year that they had selected Tytus Howard with the 23rd overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, many were shocked, stunned and had to do some research on the offensive tackle from Alabama State.
After a stellar rookie season as the right tackle for the AFC South champions, the Texans news entering this season is seeing even more excitement and improvement as Howard was named to the CBS Sports All-Breakout Team as we all await the 2020 NFL season.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports came up with his list of players full of potential, as his CBS Sports article included Jonah Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals as the other offensive tackle on the All-Breakout team this year.
Howard is 6-5, 322 pounds and even more important for a rookie he exceeded expectations — while battling some injuries — as he was not only a starter from the first game he played on the Texans’ offensive line, but he showed he had potential at the professional level. Howard also has the luxury of not only having the first-round pick attached to his name, but he’s on the same offensive line as fellow tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is one of the very best left tackles in all of the NFL.
The Texans seemed to have made the correct decision when they drafted Howard in 2019 because in his one season with the franchise, his addition has been a good choice to improve what was a tough offensive line to watch before Howard, Tunsil and others joined the unit.
Houston Texans News: Howard one of two tackles on All-Breakout Team
In the All-Breakout Team article by Edwards, he said the following about Howard:
"“He was starting to play some good football when he sustained an injury. Howard played in just eight games last season, but he should show improvement in 2020.”"
That is correct, and the injury spoken of was a torn MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs during a Week 6, 31-24 win.
Tytus Howard played in 488 snaps this past season, having five penalties and allowing two sacks. Pro Football Focus gave an overall grade of 59.4 last season for the rookie who played in eight games (all starts).
That isn’t bad considering he missed Week 1 a year ago, then played in weeks 2-6, as he went from guard to tackle from Week 2 to Week 3. The MCL injury happened in the aforementioned win against Kansas City, causing Howard to miss games against the Indianapolis Colts and the then-Oakland Raiders.
The return for Tytus Howard came in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed with a bye week. Howard then played against the Baltimore Ravens and the Colts, but after that game he was placed on IR for the remainder of the season with another knee injury.
If injuries wouldn’t have hampered Howard’s rookie season, one has to wonder what the offensive line would have looked like later in the season and into the playoffs.
Houston Texans News: Great opportunity ahead for Tytus Howard
Howard has the opportunity ahead of him to be a special player for the Texans’ offensive line, as for at least the next three seasons, he and Tunsil will be the bookends for what can hopefully become a front five that can protect franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Tytus Howard’s ability to run back will come into play too, as he after his eight games played helped block for a 1,000-yard rusher in Carlos Hyde. Now with the Texans having David Johnson as the main focal point at running back for the franchise, Howard could help block and be a part of an offensive unit for another running back who has the potential to rush for over 1,000 yards.
All in all, Howard’s presence on the offensive line is important Texans news for the team in 2020. If the offensive tackle can stay healthy and play in more than eight games this upcoming season, all numbers and stats for the rest of the Texans’ offense will be better.
If that happens, that means Tytus Howard has avoided a sophomore slump, and more importantly, continued to build upon on what he started last season.