The Trade of Tytus Howard Greatly Increases Need for Offensive Linemen This Offseason
Which rookies could go about replacing Tytus Howard in Houston?
The Houston Texans traded Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns on Monday, thrusting offensive line help to the top of the needs list this offseason. NFL Media reported the news first.
Howard was one of the longest-tenured Texans on the team, having been drafted in the first round of 2019. He played mostly right tackle for the Texans with stints at guard mixed into his time. Howard saw injuries plague his 2023 season, but he became one of the more available starters for the Texans over the past two seasons. His versatility allowed the Texans to mix and match until they found a solid line combination.
The Texans acquired a fifth-round pick from the Browns. Cleveland currently owns three selections in the top nine picks in the fifth round. At the time of publishing, it is not clear which of the selections the Texans received in the trade.
The Texans save a little over $4 million in cap space.
His departure leaves just two regular starters from last year’s line in left tackle Airesontae Ersery and center Jake Andrews.
Houston will need offensive line help in free agency and the draft. Ersery and Andrews have each only played one season in the NFL. Andrews missed time during his first two seasons, and last year was Ersery’s rookie season.
Investing in a veteran will be a priority.
The Texans have plenty of free agency options and could look to add a player with experience via trade. Below is a list from last month of offensive linemen the Texans could and should be targeting in free agency.
With numerous spots on the offensive line up for grabs, the Texans need short and long-term options. Veterans on shorter deals are now much more possible, but it would be a good idea to have a steadying force if they can help it.
Of course, the draft is another way to help the line. Though it isn’t ideal to have a lot of young players all on the line together, adding talent from this draft class to some veterans the Texans bring in would be a solid recipe for line building.
Where is the talent in this draft class? I’m glad you asked.
This year’s offensive line class feels a bit deeper, though not as top-heavy at tackle and guard as last season. There are potential starters for guard and right tackle that Houston could find at 28th overall and 38th overall.
The linemen spoke on Saturday and worked out on Sunday. Here are my notes and observations.
Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane (OG, Penn State) was quite honest about starting his football career. He said the physicality of the game didn’t click for him until he got into his college career. Ioane said he got walloped in practice, and the necessary physicality was clear for him. He proceeded to maul people when he got into the starting lineup at Penn State. Ioane was a First-Team All-American for the Nittany Lions. He’s widely considered the best guard in the draft, and when you think about last year, the best guard is gone early. The Texans might not get a chance at him, but he’s almost worth moving up for if he starts to slip. He told me he had a meeting with the Texans.
Emmanuel Pregnon (OG, Oregon) had the most unique podium sessions of the day. He took his time to think before speaking, and he gave almost every answer careful consideration. Few topics forced Pregnon to show emotion. He lit up about playing with Woody Marks at USC. He said Marks always had everyone laughing when he finally decided to speak, and said Marks liked to fire everyone up. The other time Pregnon spoke at length with emotion was about his family. He had to convince his mother that football was his sport, not basketball. She was also the one he leaned on during his collegiate football journey. He was lightly recruited out of Wyoming, sat for two seasons, and then finally played and was immediately one of the best linemen in the nation in his first action. He said he transferred schools because he knew he had to keep pushing himself to get better for his eventual NFL journey. His college career culminated at Oregon, where he had an All-American season. He’s an immediate starter at left guard in the NFL with the ability to help the rushing attack. He isn’t bad at pass protection. Pregnon will be in consideration at 28 should the Texans stay there, and would be a steal at 38 with his ability to help right away.
