*We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS and Football Outsiders in assessment of past performances in the offensive linemen outlined below

Houston Texans

By all accounts, the Texans offensive line has been quite effective over the last three seasons during a relatively smooth transition from the Kubiak years. This is a bigger, stronger group now under head coach Bill O’Brien.

In 2015 free agency, GM Rick Smith re-signed young offensive tackle Derek Newton and released 34 year old center Chis Myers. Myers was a good run-blocker but poor pass-protector, a liability the Texans can’t afford with the state of their quarterback position. Myers may have also been a bit undersized for head coach Bill O’Brien, who is kicking former OG Ben Jones (who is 8 years younger), inside to center. There have been discussions that if Myers does not accept any of the reported “multiple” offers he has from other teams, he may return to Houston as a welcomed depth signing.

Houston did not select any offensive lineman in the 2015 NFL Draft. They took OG Xavier Su’a-Filo in round two of the 2014 draft, and offensive tackles Brennan Williams and David Quessenberry in the 2013 draft. Quessenberry missed the 2014 season with lymphoma. He has not been cleared to play yet, but Texans brass is confident he’ll make it on the field in 2015. Williams had microfracture surgery in 2013 and was waived from the roster.

Projected Starting Lineup

Duane Brown, LT 6’4″ 320 pounds- A Top 10 OT, positive pass and run-blocker, bulked up in 2014 to become more dominant in the run game

Xavier Su’a-Filo, LG 6’4″ 307 pounds- Saw limited action as a rookie, opportunity has arisen as OG Ben Jones moves to C, Su’a-Filo was a highly acclaimed draft pick who dominated at UCLA, strong for his size, has the potential to be a very good OG in the NFL if he can improve his pass protection

Ben Jones, C 6’3″ 308 pounds- Played 16 games at LG in 2014 and rated as a low-end starter, has always been an average OG, the team believes he will be an above-average center, in a contract year

Brandon Brooks, RG 6’5″ 335 pounds- A Top 10 OG who is excellent in the run game, will be 26 when the season starts and is just hitting his prime

Derek Newton, RT 6’6″ 313 pounds- Blossomed as a solid OT in 2014, especially good in the run game, signed a contract extension at 28 years old

Notes-

This is a B+ group. It’s a dominant run-blocking unit with tremendous upside, which is excellent news for Arian Foster. It’s an assembly that cannot survive injury, though, as the bench is very thin. Interior pass protection is also still a big question mark. We believe the Texans have made the appropriate moves to alleviate the issue, but we just won’t know for sure until the live action hits the field. Neither Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer is a recommended fantasy option to begin the season.

The only Texans pass catcher we’re willing to buy draft stock in is Deandre Hopkins who should fill in nicely as an upside WR2/3 on fantasy rosters this year. If fantasy owners have two or three options like Hopkins on their teams, they may be able to survive without a true WR1. One of the two tight ends, either Garrett Graham or CJ Fiedorowicz may shake out as a sneaky desperation flex play by season’s end. Fiedorowicz is a player we always had pegged for a Year 2 to 3 breakout, which is now right on the horizon.

On the personnel side, Houston will have to turn back to the NFL Draft in 2016 to continue cultivating the future of this OL unit.