The NFL’s new league year doesn’t start until Wednesday afternoon, but the Houston Texans have already shaken up their offensive line.
It started with the release of Shaq Mason and took a surprising turn when the Texans agreed to trade Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders on Monday. Another move was made when former first-round pick Kenyon Green was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday and Houston added veteran Laken Tomlinson a few hours later.
While a lot of work has been done, signs point to this being just the beginning as Houston is planning an even bigger shakeup that will bring a new-look offensive line in 2025.
Tytus Howard Changing Positions, More Moves to Come in Texans’ Offensive Line Overhaul
KPRC’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans are planning to move Tytus Howard to left tackle and start Blake Fisher at right tackle next season. Tomlinson is expected to take over at one of the guard spots and the combination of Jarrett Patterson and Juice Scruggs will battle for the final two spots with more additions coming.
#Texans overhauled offensive line expected to have Tytus Howard at left tackle, Blake Fisher at right tackle, per sources, with Laken Tomlinson at one guard spot. Expecting more additions to go with center-guards Jarrett Patterson and Juice Scruggs @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2025
If Texans fans want change, they’re definitely getting it. Tunsil was Houston’s best offensive lineman last season, posting an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 78.1 and a pass-blocking grade of 89.1. But the Texans got a haul to trade him to Washington, netting third- and seventh-rounders in 2025 and second- and fourth-rounders in 2026.
That deal puts Howard and Fisher into the spotlight. Howard allowed a 5.5% pressure rate on 741 pass-blocking snaps last year but Fisher struggled when called upon, allowing a 9.1% pressure rate on 305 pass-blocking snaps. Tomlinson’s 5.2% pressure rate last year with the Seattle Seahawks is a modest improvement over Mason’s 5.7% pressure rate but Houston may need to make another addition to provide competition for Patterson and Scruggs.
The good news is that the Tunsil deal gave Houston plenty of draft capital to work with. The Texans could be serious about starting Fisher but they could add competition such as Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery with the 25th overall pick. They could also add a player late in the draft such as William & Mary standout Charles Grant.
The interior of the offensive line also has some targets including Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, Alabama’s Tyler Booker and West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum, but the Texans could opt for a more immediate solution in free agency.
Philadelphia Eagles guard Mekhi Becton is still on the market ahead of the official start of the league year and the Texans could target Teven Jenkins of the Chicago Bears, Josh Myers of the Green Bay Packers and Kevin Zeitler of the Detroit Lions as competition on the interior.
After allowing C.J. Stroud to be sacked eight times in a divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it appears the Texans are getting serious about their offensive line and it could lead to some bigger moves in the coming weeks.