Houston Texans: Top 30 players in franchise history
By T.A. Mock
(2008-17). Duane Brown. 4. player. 10. . LT
The Texans selected Duane Brown out of Virginia Tech with the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Brown was an interesting selection because he was pretty good in college, but wasn’t considered great. He also didn’t have prototypical size at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds. He was viewed as a candidate to kick inside to guard.
However, the Texans believed in Brown’s ability to lock down the left side and took a gamble on the big man. Boy, did it pan out. Brown stepped in as a day one started on the blindside and excelled. He looked like a steal at the 26th overall pick.
Brown started every game he was healthy for, 142 out of 142. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection at left tackle and he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro member in 2012. Brown is, without a doubt, the best offensive lineman to suit up for the Texans. He’ll be hard to beat for that crown.
Unfortunately, Brown and the Texans headed for a divorce halfway through the 2017 season. Brown was, rightfully so, unhappy about Bob McNair’s comments regarding players and was holding out. He returned to the team for one game before they traded him to the Seattle Seahawks. This was not a great move, as the offensive line has been abysmal since and the Texans have missed him a lot.