Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans
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Aireontae Ersery #79 of the Houston Texans takes the field before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots.
The Houston Texans got an early start on Monday, sending offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns in a trade that yielded a fifth-round draft pick. Howard got an extension, and the Texans’ roster now has a new hole to fill up front.
They were already facing the reality that they could lose starting right guard Ed Ingram and right tackle Trent Brown in free agency, and they are eyeing upgrades at center.
Moreover, they could move Aireontae Ersery, possibly the lone holdover, to a new position.
Texans’ Aireontae Ersery on Notice After Trade
Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans
GettyAireontae Ersery #79 of the Houston Texans looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Texans selected Ersery with the 48th overall pick in the 2025 draft, and the former Minnesota Golden Gopher quickly ascended to the starting LT role, fueling a trade sending Cam Robinson to the Browns.
Houston traded Howard in part to clear cap space, as they were over the limit heading into the offseason.
However, the decision could pave the way for a major change for Ersery.
“There had been some league whispers that Aireontae Ersery might get moved to RT,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported in a post on X on March 2. “So maybe this created the gate way towards it. Still …. Howard was a super valuable piece.”
Ersery was one of eight offensive tackles–three of whom were on the left side–who logged at least 1,200 blocking snaps during the 2025 regular season, per Pro Football Focus.
The only rookie of the bunch, he also had the worst run and pass-blocking grades.
The Texans’ offensive line ranked 30th in Pass Block Run Rate and 32nd in Run Block Win Rate, per ESPN. They clearly needed to do even more work, despite the team winning 12 games this past season.
Texans Losing Best OL
Tytus Howard, C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyTytus Howard #71 and C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans take the field before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Texans’ changes up front loom large, and that is even if Ersery does not change positions and they bring the right side of their offensive line back to the roster. Bien-Aime posted that the Texans decided to “trade away their best offensive lineman” for the second straight season.
They dealt Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders before last season, creating the void at LT that Ersery filled.
It was also a strong campaign for Howard, who played every spot but center for the Texans.
“Former #Texans OL Tytus Howard arguably had his best season as a Pro in 2025,” Bien-Aime said in another post after the deal was completed. “He allowed a 4.8% pressure rate per Next Gen Stats.”
The Texans still had the 11th-best pressure rate, per Pro Football Reference, though C.J. Stroud’s mobility helps.
Texans Expected to Revamp OL
Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans
GettyAireontae Ersery #79 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers.
While the Texans are interested in re-signing Brown and Howard, they will still need to further bolster their group.
It sounds as though they have more than that in mind, though.
“#Texans are expected to utilize heavy combination of free agency, draft for offensive line reinforcements,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on March 2. “They’re expected to make a large commitment to trying to upgrade the position.”
Ersery was a three-year starter on the left side in college. Even during the pre-draft process, eh projected as more of an RT prospect.
A potential move could prove beneficial for him and the Texans’ roster-building efforts.