The Houston Texans entered the NFL offseason with a lengthy to-do list, and one of their most pressing needs was upgrading the offensive line. They were tied for third in the league in sacks allowed (54) in 2024, which made upgrading quarterback C.J. Stroud's protection a major offseason focus.
The Texans released Shaq Mason before trading Kenyon Green and Laremy Tunsil away. In free agency, they signed Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson. Robinson is already off to a good start for the Texans, but things will get more serious when the pads come on.
Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Tomlinson was among the five linemen who looked the best in OTAs, and he continued to get first-team reps in minicamp, but again, this was without pads on.
But as positive as things currently look, situations can quickly change in the NFL.
Texans Will Soon Regret Signing OL Laken Tomlinson
A clean bill of health is something that Tomlinson has consistently displayed throughout his career, playing in at least 16 games in all 10 NFL seasons. While that is a positive, he's struggled to keep defenders from getting in his quarterback's face, which is the last thing Stroud needs.
Tomlinson has allowed at least 30 pressures in seven seasons, including three consecutive campaigns. Just last season with the Seattle Seahawks, he allowed 38 pressures, six sacks, and committed penalties. According to Pro Football Focus, he had a 62.1 overall grade (66th among 136 graded guards), 65.1 pass-blocking grade (54th among 136 graded guards), and a 59.7 run-blocking grade (78th among 136 graded guards).
During the 2023 season with the New York Jets, Tomlinson gave up a career-worst 51 pressures to go with 10 QB hits and seven sacks.
I understand that he's been looking solid thus far in spring workouts, but it doesn't paint the whole picture. History has shown that the Duke product will allow consistent pressure to come through. And since he's 33 years old, age isn't on his side.
It'll be interesting to see how things unfold, but fans should hold their breath when it comes to Tomlinson.