The Houston Texans look built to win in a lot of places. The defense is described as arguably the best in the league, David Montgomery is now in the running back room, and Nico Collins gives C.J.
Stroud a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Even with Jayden Higgins out for the season, the pass-catching group and the tight end room are in solid shape.
But one problem sits right in the middle of everything: the offensive line.
That’s the unit ESPN’s Mike Clay put at the very bottom of the league for the upcoming season, and it’s hard to argue the concern. Clay pointed to a group that “remains a major concern after finishing last in run block win rate (68.4%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.5%) in 2025.”
That line was a huge part of why Houston couldn’t get past the New England Patriots in the playoffs last season. Stroud did not play well in that game, but the Texans’ protection did him no favors. The problems up front weren’t limited to one night, either - the line was one of the NFL’s weakest units across 2025.
Heading into 2026, the structure has changed, but the confidence level clearly hasn’t. Aireontae Ersery is entering year two at left tackle, Wyatt Teller is in at left guard, Keylan Rutledge is set at center, Ed Ingram is at right guard, and Braden Smith is on the right side at tackle.
Behind them, Trent Brown, Blake Fisher, Evan Brown, and Jake Andrews are the notable reserves who could be asked to play meaningful snaps.
There may be more upside here than the Texans have had along the offensive line in recent seasons, but that’s not enough to erase the worry. Clay’s 32nd-place ranking says the quiet part out loud: if Houston gets derailed in 2026, the line is the place most likely to do it.
In Other News...
Texans Just Lost A Steady Edge Rusher To An Interesting New Deal
The Browns are adding some familiar veteran pass-rush help, and for Houston it means another steady piece off the edge is gone. Derek Barnett is headed to Cleveland on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, ending a three-year stretch with the Texans for the former first-round pick and Super Bowl champion who brought experience and dependable rotational production to Houston's front.
Barnett's departure comes at a time when the Texans have leaned on depth and continuity up front, so losing a proven edge option will be felt. Cleveland had been searching for answers after trading Myles Garrett and then losing Alex Wright to injury, which made Barnett a logical fit, but Houston now has to sort out how it replaces one of its more established veterans on the outside. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A Tank Dell Problem Before Week 1
Tank Dells recovery has turned into one of the more important camp developments for Houston as Week 1 approaches. The Texans have kept him in limited work while he continues to rehab, but he has not been a full participant in recent practices and also sat out the final preseason game, leaving his status for the opener in serious doubt.
Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel have emerged as names to watch if Houston has to adjust on the fly opposite Nico Collins. With Dell unavailable, the Texans are left sorting through a receiver depth chart that suddenly looks less settled than it did a few weeks ago, and how they handle that spot could shape the way the offense opens the season. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A Receiver Battle Fans Need To Watch
Jayden Higgins season-ending ACL injury forced the Texans to move quickly, and the answer came in the form of two veteran wide receivers added to the 90-man roster. Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones now enter a receiver room that needed more bodies and more experience, giving Houston a pair of proven options to sort through as training camp and the preseason unfold.
DeMeco Ryans pointed to that veteran presence as part of the appeal, with both players offering the kind of depth that can matter when roster spots are up for grabs. The bigger question now is how they look in the coming weeks, because Shepard and Jones are not just filling out camp numbers - they are competing for one of the Texans 53-man roster spots. [Read more 🡒]