The Texans must prioritize fixing the offensive line this offseason

DeMeco Ryans has transformed the Houston Texans, positioning the team as a contender for its second division championship under his leadership, while establishing one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses. While the defense has flourished, the offense has shown promise but remains a work in progress, particularly along the offensive line.

Offensive Strategy Under Ryans and Slowik

Under Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, the Texans’ offensive philosophy revolves around a few core principles:

• Physical Football: Emphasizing toughness at the point of attack.
• Heavy Personnel Groupings: Incorporating fullbacks and multiple tight ends.
• Commitment to the Run Game: Using the ground attack to control tempo and time of possession
• Play-Action Passing: Exploiting defensive reactions to set up deep shots.

This strategy is designed to create explosive plays, particularly on first downs. A prime example was Nico Collins’ 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the last game of the regular season against the Indianapolis Colts last year. While this philosophy has seen moments of success in 2024, inconsistency has plagued the Texans’ offense, with CJ Stroud sometimes struggling to connect with receivers like Tank Dell and Nico Collins. A significant factor in these struggles is the offensive line's performance.

The Offensive Line: Strengths and Weaknesses

The Texans boast a solid tackle trio in Tytus Howard, Laremy Tunsil, and swing tackle rookie Blake Fisher. However, the interior of the offensive line has been a glaring weakness, undermining the unit's overall effectiveness.

Interior Line: A Problem Area

• Kenyon Green: Green’s 2024 season was a disappointment before it ended prematurely due to injury. He allowed 27 pressures, four quarterback hits, and five sacks while committing seven penalties.
• Shaq Mason: Once reliable, Mason has declined sharply, allowing 26 pressures, five quarterback hits, and five sacks, along with three penalties.
• Center Instability: Juice Scruggs struggled with pre-snap protection calls, which disrupted the entire line’s cohesion. In contrast, sixth-round pick Jarrett Patterson has shown promise, allowing no pressures in a standout performance against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

The interior offensive line has surrendered 112 pressures this season—the third most in the NFL—making it a critical area for improvement. To build an offense that complements their elite defense, Houston must prioritize fixing the interior offensive line.

Two main options stand out:

Option 1: Build Around Jarrett Patterson

Patterson has displayed potential in pass protection, earning a 70.9 PFF grade. However, his run-blocking grade (52.8 via PFF) leaves room for improvement. Surrounding Patterson with guards who excel in run blocking—specifically in both wide zone and man/gap schemes—could transform the offensive line into a cohesive unit capable of executing the Texans' philosophy.

Option 2: Utilize Tackles That Can Play Guard

Acquiring guards with a background in playing tackle could provide the Texans with size, length, and versatility. This strategy, employed successfully by the Green Bay Packers, has helped them rank as the fourth-best offensive line by PFF through Week 11.

The Offseason Mandate

To protect franchise quarterback CJ Stroud, improve the run game, and unlock the full potential of the play-action attack, the Texans MUST make the interior offensive line their top priority this offseason.

By addressing these issues, the Texans can develop a balanced team that matches their defense’s intensity, allowing DeMeco Ryans to lead the franchise to sustained success and finally lead the Texans to their first Super Bowl victory. The groundwork has been laid; now, it’s time to build an offensive line that supports the Texans’ vision for the future.