The Houston Texans are in the next phase of their offseason. Day 1 of OTAs started on Wednesday, and it gave fans the first glimpse of their team.
Houston made sure to make some tweaks to the roster, most coming on the offensive side of the ball. They added playmakers and protection for C.J. Stroud. In the 2025 NFL draft, they drafted Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel while also adding Aireontae Ersery.
Even though this was the first practice session of OTAs, Ersery was seen getting some reps with the starters. DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reported that Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jarrett Patterson, Tytus Howard, and Ersery were an offensive line combination that was thrown on the field.
While that is great news for the rookie, it looks like Blake Fisher is already on thin ice.
Aireontae Ersery Already Getting Reps With Texans Starters
Fisher was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by Houston. He suited up for 15 games and started in five of them. Across 337 offensive snaps played, he allowed 18 total pressures, eight QB hits, and four sacks.
According to PFF, he had a 50.4 overall grade (113th among 140 graded tackles), a 48.3 pass blocking grade (114th among 140 graded tackles), and a 49.1 run blocking grade (126th among 140 graded tackles).
Those stats are underwhelming, and the Texans decided to give Ersery some work with the 1s on the first day of OTAs.
Although he was a three-year starter at left tackle during his days at Minnesota, he can play on the right side, too. The Missouri native is very athletic and is quick out of his stance. Ersery was also durable, suiting up in 38 straight games to end his college career.
There's a reason Houston made him a top 50 selection, and he's someone who could be in line to start from Day 1. Even though Fisher wasn't a full-time starter in 2024, he was still given the opportunity to start in five games for the team. In those outings, he didn't show enough to get the trust of the coaching staff, and now it looks like he will have to fight for his spot.
Fisher still got some reps with the first team, but it's clear they like what they see from Ersery, and that doesn't bode well for the Notre Dame product.