The Houston Texans added some new pieces to their offensive line this off-season, both in free agency, trade, and through the NFL Draft. The potential upgrades are needed as the Texans struggled to open holes for the running backs and protect their quarterback.
Will the new additions prove to be the answer the Texans need? There are a number of questions with this group as we approach the opening of training camp on July 26th. It could be another long season for the Texans if the line fails to produce this season.
If I were projecting the Texans starting five, this is what it would look like for the 2023 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
Laremy Tunsil - LT
Kenyon Green - LG
Juice Scruggs - C
Shaq Mason - RG
Tytus Howard - RT
The Houston Texans have one of the best tackles in the game with Laremy Tunsil. So much so that he was recently projected as the Texans MVP for 2023 by Adam Rank of NFL.com. Here is a snippet of what he said about Tunsil and the Texans.
"Young quarterbacks sometimes have to play behind a line that's a little sus -- just look at what happened in Houston with former No. 1 overall pick David Carr. (Now an NFL Network colleague, the guy was sacked 76 times as a rookie!) Stroud, though, is joining a team that already has an absolute stud at left tackle. The Texans have let go of a lot of talent over the years -- but they had the presence of mind to hang on to Tunsil, a three-time Pro Bowler who was awarded a three-year extension in March."Adam Rank, NFL.com
So, there are no questions or concerns at left tackle, and I think it's safe to say that the right guard spot, manned by free-agent acquisition, Shaq Mason, should be fine as well. I have some worries elsewhere though and some questions this line will need to answer as they begin training camp.
Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green
Kenyon Green is entering his second year in the league and to say he struggled his rookie year would be an understatement. Green was the 15th overall pick of the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft and proceeded to return the favor with a terrible rookie season.
Offensive linemen can often struggle in year one, so there is certainly hope he can rebound and play much better in 2023, and having Shaq Mason in the room should only help the young guard further his development. The problem is, he was so bad in 2022, even an improvement in his game does not guarantee he stays in the starting lineup.
In 2022, Green earned a PFF grade of 37.7, good enough to rank 77th out of 77 guards graded. Yes, dead last. Green allowed a whopping 47 pressures, which included four sacks and 12 quarterback hits. He also committed 12 penalties, tied for second-most in the league.
Green will need to step up significantly in 2023 if he is to retain his job as the starting left guard. Though I project him to start the season, I can see a scenario where he loses his job If he doesn’t show any development in his game throughout training camp and pre-season.
Concerns for the Houston Texans at center
The center position is the quarterback of the offensive line, making blocking adjustments as the opposing defenses line up. Juice Scruggs will probably be the starting center and will have his hands full trying to learn the position on the fly.
Is he up for the task, maybe? The Texans brass obviously thinks so since they traded up to select him in this year's draft, in what many believed to be a reach. If he can take the job and lock it down, it will go a long way in improving the overall line.
Similar to Kenyon Green, the Texans starting center in 2022, Scott Quessenberry was abysmal. Ranking 36th out of 36 centers, according to PFF. He received an overall grade of 36.6 and for a little context of just how bad he was, the player ranked 35th did so with a grade of 51.3.
Scruggs is likely an improvement overall but that’s not saying much over Quessenberry. Texans’ fans will hope that Scruggs is a quick learner and shows all the doubters why the Texans were willing to give up three picks to move up for him.
One of the things that stands out for Scruggs is he offers some flexibility. If Green doesn’t work out, he could potentially take the starting role at guard but the concern there is, that leaves Quessenberry the odds-on favorite to assume the starting spot at center again. One player though that isn’t talked about much is center Michael Deiter, who came over via free agency. Perhaps he surprises and takes the job at center, allowing Scruggs to move to guard.
Can the Houston Texans offensive line come together
This is the biggest question of all. If the Texans struggle on the line, it will derail any hope for Stroud and the offense. The front five have to be able to adequately protect their rookie quarterback, plus if they can open up holes for Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary, the Texans run game could be one of the best in the NFL, which only helps Stroud.
Houston could potentially go into Week One against the Baltimore Ravens returning only two starting linemen from last year’s group. If Green loses his job to Scruggs and Michael Deiter steps in at center, the Texans will have three new starters and it takes time for offensive lines to gel and develop that chemistry together. This is why it will be important for Coach Ryans to identify the best five quickly, so they can begin that process of growing together.
All eyes should be on the Texans’ line as training camp begins. There will be a number of position battles along the line and will be the most important battles as well. This offense will only go as far as Tunsil and company can take them and they have to be better than last season.