Houston Texans Offensive Lineman Depth Chart Projections

With training camp right around the corner, as well as the 2017 season, we take a look at some Houston Texans offensive lineman depth chart projections.

The NFL Draft is over and organized team activities (OTA’s) are winding down. With training camp right around the corner, as well as the 2017 season, we will predict how the depth chart will look for each position. For this article, the focus is going to be on the Houston Texans offensive lineman position.

Houston Texans Offensive Lineman Depth Chart Projections

Left Tackle – Duane Brown

Duane Brown has been a consistently great part of this offensive line. The veteran tackle doesn’t cost the team yards with penalties and rarely allows the quarterback to be hit. Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler and has gotten progressively better with time. Brown has not been participating with the team workouts thus far, likely because he was injured last year during off-season workouts. The Texans and Brown should come to an agreement within the next few months, however, and Brown will resume his role at left tackle.

Left Guard – Xavier Su’a-Filo

For Xavier Su’a-Filo, the pressure to succeed has reached its peak. Many fans believed the Texans should’ve taken Derek Carr with the 33rd overall pick in the 2014 Draft. With Carr having a great start to his career in Oakland, and Su’a-Filo having a rocky start in Houston, it seems like the Texans made a mistake. Su’a-Filo struggled in his rookie season making the transition to the NFL and battled injuries his second season.

In 2016, Su’a-Filo finally got to play a full season and looked really good in run blocking. Blocking the pass seems to be his Achilles heel giving up 39 quarterback pressures and seven sacks (the most by a guard in 2016). With this season being his final under contract, I expect a big year from Xavier Su’a-Filo.

Center – Nick Martin

If Nick Martin is anything like his brother, Zack Martin, he’s going to be great for the Texans. There was a lot of excitement with the second round pick coming into the 2016 season but an ankle injury caused Martin to miss his entire rookie season. Greg Mancz did a great job with pass protection in Martin’s absence but I still think Martin gets the nod here.

Right Guard – Jeff Allen

Jeff Allen seemed like a promising addition to the Texans offensive line prior to the 2016 season. In 2015, Allen didn’t allow a single sack or quarterback hit with the Kansas City Chiefs and allowed only five pressures. With the Texans, however, it was a much different story. In his first season with Houston, Allen allowed 27 quarterback pressures and five sacks. Allen also seemed to struggle a bit in his run blocking.

During his four years with the Chiefs, Allen played left guard and likely had some complications transitioning to right guard for the Texans. I hope that’s the issue, at least. Jeff Allen has been working hard this off-season and is looking to return to his 2015 self. If the Texans can get the same production from Allen as the Chiefs did in 2015, their offensive line could be great.

Right Tackle – Julie’n Davenport

If Derek Newton wasn’t injured, I would give him the starting spot here. I know the concern with Julie’n Davenport is the fact that he comes from a smaller program and could have some trouble making the transition to the NFL. Davenport looked good in offseason workouts but we’ll learn more about him in training camp. As much of a risk it would be to start the rookie, it makes more sense than starting Chris Clark again. Clark finished 2016 as the league’s worst pass protecting right tackle. Clark allowed 67 quarterback pressures and cost the team with 13 penalties as well. I like the Texans’ chances with Davenport.