It's quite clear that the Houston Texans' brass, specifically GM Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans, recognize the issues with last season's offensive line, which was one of the worst in team history, both in protecting C.J. Stroud and opening holes in the run game. In the last two weeks, they've either cut or traded 60 percent of their Week 1 starting offensive line from last season.
The teardown has been swift and largely welcomed by the Texans' fan base. It's the rebuild, the replenishing of talent, that has some Texans fans on edge. Until Wednesday, the only moves made to supplement the line were the signing of guard Laken Tomlinson and the trade for guard Ed Ingram. On Wednesday afternoon, though, things got interesting as the Texans signed former Vikings and Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson to a one year deal for up to $14.5 million:
The Texans are signing T Cam Robinson to a one-year deal worth between $12 million that can be worth up to $14.5 million, per source. pic.twitter.com/FABKkCmtIL
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 19, 2025
The salary on this deal would seem to indicate that, barring injury or a wretched training camp, Robinson is going to start at left tackle, replacing Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to the Washington Commanders last week. Robinson played most of his career for the Jacksonville Jaguars, after being drafted early in the second round in 2017 out of Alabama.
Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Vikings before the trade deadline last season, and finished 2024 with a 63.2 grade on Pro Football Focus, 53rd out of 81 qualifying tackles. It was, by those scores, one of the worst seasons of Robinson's career.
Where this gets interesting is the ripple effect on the rest of the Texans' offensive line. If Robinson is going to be the lot tackle, then that means there's just one tackle spot for Tytus Howard, the would be starting left tackle before the Robinson signing, and Blake Fisher, the starting right tackle at the end of last season. Howard finished last season at left guard, and played serviceably. If the Texans had to play a game tomorrow, would Howard or Fisher start at right tackle?
Furthermore, this also makes the Texans' first round pick (25th overall) more intriguing. Whereas offensive line felt like the clear cut primary need 24 hours ago, perhaps the chances of them drafting a wide receiver with that pick increase with Robinson's signing creating a little more offensive line depth. Worth noting, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden reportedly visited the Texans at NRG Stadium on Wednesday.
The offensive line at least has some bodies and competition now, but it feels like far from a finished product. There is definitely more work to do.
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