Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard, a 2019 first-round pick, spent the first two years of his career almost exclusively at right tackle. In 2021, he was shifted inside to left guard, and he played 11 games there, but he also suited up for four games at left tackle due to an injury to starting LT Laremy Tunsil. As Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle writes, Howard’s role for the 2022 campaign remains unclear.
Per Pro Football Focus, Howard was much more effective at left tackle (73.75 pass-blocking grade) than left guard (47.7). However, former OC Tim Kelly and OL coach James Campen both praised Howard for his versatility and indicated he was improving as a guard, and new OL coach George Warhop concurs.
“I thought he did a nice job at guard,” Warhop said. “I mean, so to have that flexibility going into the season, to manage to get the five best on the field, I think that’s good for us.”
Assuming the Texans really do think Howard can be effective outside or on the interior, his versatility gives GM Nick Caserio a little more flexibility with his offseason strategies. Tunsil has been mentioned as a trade candidate, and Kubena confirms that the two-time Pro Bowler could be on the move, which would add more draft ammo to a stockpile that could become seriously impressive if Caserio is able to deal QB Deshaun Watson. Houston would then be able to slide Howard to LT — which was the intent when he was originally drafted — and would not necessarily have to use a high draft choice or FA dollars on an immediate Tunsil replacement.
On the other hand, as Kubena notes, Max Scharping and Justin McCray are the only interior linemen aside from Howard who started at least one game last year and who remain under contract through 2022. So depending on how the Texans’ offseason shakes out, the club may have no choice but to keep Howard at LG.
One way or another, Caserio will have to make a decision on Howard’s fifth-year option no later than May 2. If exercised, that option would lock in a $12.735MM fully-guaranteed salary for 2023, and while that sum would be more than reasonable for a starting-caliber LT, Howard’s small sample size at that position in the pros and his general lack of effectiveness at RT and LG seem to indicate that 2022 will serve as his contract year.
Trade out of #3 into the teens
Target Tyler Linderbaum at C.
With extra draft picks trading out of #3 and out of #37 target OT Daniel Faalele in the back end of the 2nd or early 3rd. Target a guard like Marquis Hayes or another tackle like Thayer Munford.
Texans should invest a good amount of draft capitol in the offense this year. Trading out of #3 + #37 and drafting oline and a receiver or 2 like John Metchie and/or Alec Pierce in the 3rd or 4th to help Mills should be the plan this year and going forward. Bringing in a TE like Trey McBride would also be preferred.
Id trade Brandin Cooks for draft capitol as well. Maybe a reunion with New England.
Not sure if I would bank on being able to trade back. There’s no prospect that’s really going to coax teams into trading up. Agree with the general draft strategy though
Maybe Thibodaux or Hutchinson might be there and a team may Trade up? But I do agree teams usually trade up high for a QB and none seem worthwhile to trade up for.
Theres 2 parts to trading up
1. The prospect
2. The cost
Theyll find partners willing to trade up for a guy but it wont cost as much as it would in recent years.
If youre the texans the focus should be draft assets especially 3rd and 4th rounders and draft picks in 2023. Theyve got a lot of holes to fill.
Trading back from #3 to the teens either in 1 or 2 deals will surely net them some extra 3rds and 4ths
Trading back from #37 to the late 50s or 60-64 in the 2nd should net some more 3rds and 4ths.
Fans may not like the idea of taking lesser deals but 1 vs 5 or 6 prospects makes a huge difference for rebuilding teams
@Foreign Substance
Where do you think Charlie Heck fits in? He wasn’t mentioned in the piece and you seem knowledgeable on the Texans.
Depth. Heck graded out at a 56 last year in 13 starts 15 games. You could stand to improve.
Texans should move Tunsil and Cooks and rebuild the oline.
Thanks I try to keep track of Heck since his dad was on the Bears and Scharping went to NIU (I know he’s struggled) but I am rooting for them