Texans have major problem for C.J. Stroud amid ESPN offensive line ranking originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Texans should be one of the best teams in the NFL this upcoming season. Their defense is arguably the best in the league, and they even added David Montgomery to the running back room.
Nico Collins is a great No. 1 WR, and while Jayden Higgins is out for the season, the wide receiver room and tight end group are in good shape. But the real issue for C.J. Stroud and the Texans holding them back is the offensive line.
Mike Clay of ESPN ranked the Texans OL as the worst in the NFL this upcoming season, highlighting the major issue for the team that could be the deciding factor in their season.
Texans have major concern along OL for C.J. Stroud"This group remains a major concern after finishing last in run block win rate (68.4%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.5%) in 2025," Clay writes.
The offensive line was a huge reason why the team couldn't beat the New England Patriots in the playoffs last season.
While Stroud played poorly, there's no question about that, the OL did him no favors, as they were one of the worst units all season in 2025.
Now, heading into 2026, Clay doesn't believe much of anything has changed. They're the worst-ranked OL in the NFL.
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Aireontae Ersery is heading into year two at left tackle, with Wyatt Teller the new left guard, Keylan Rutledge manning center, Ed Ingram at right guard, and Braden Smith at right tackle.
Trent Brown, Blake Fisher, Evan Brown, and Jake Andrews are notable backups who might be seeing playing time this upcoming season.
There might be more potential with this group of linemen than the last few seasons along the OL, but it's still a major point of concern for the Texans.
If there were to be one thing that sinks this team in 2026, it would be the poor OL play. Clay's 32nd-place ranking is a confirmation of the alarm bells that should be ringing for the Texans as they head into the season, with the OL being a major issue for this team.
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