An NFL analyst weighs in on the Texans' offensive line upgrades, questioning the extent of improvement despite significant offseason moves.
The Houston Texans might be better than they were on the offensive line last season after five impact additions this offseason. Even so, one analyst is not buying that they will be that much improved next season. He did not hold back his opinion.
CBS Sports NFL analyst Pete Prisco did not mince words about the Texans' perceived improvement on the offensive line. While he thinks the team might have slightly improved, Prisco is not convinced they did so dramatically. He shared the following thoughts on the team on CBS Sports Network.
“The offensive line, are they that much better? Probably not. Are they a little bit better? Probably. Look, Braden Smith has to stay on the field. He hasn't been on the field all the time. That's an issue for him. So, I think they've added some pieces up front, that will help make them a little bit better, but I don't know how much better.
Wyatt Teller was added too. He just signed yesterday, so that's another nice addition for that offensive line, but ... you don't know what you're going to get from him. So, I understand why they did it. I just don't know how much better they are up front. And until they're good up front, there's gonna be a lot of issues on that offense."
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Chester Rogers (80) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Andrew Luck (12) and offensive guard Braden Smith (72) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesSmith is old enough to have blocked for retired NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, while Teller is in his 30s. Nevertheless, Prisco does note that the team probably got a little better in adding the players.
The success of the additions will probably revolve around the volume of players they added. If you sign five players who have proven they can play, the thought is that probably at least some of them are bound to stay healthy and play well. That said, in a position as physical as offensive line, staying healthy is no guarantee.
It's hard to argue the Texans are not better at guard than they were in 2025. Nevertheless, losing a tackle like Tytus Howard through trade, though it may have been inevitable, probably is not going to be an easy player to fix.
Optimistically, the Texans are better on the offensive line than they were before they signed the five players they added. Unfortunately, they are also older at the position. So, while the experience could come in handy, it's fair to temper expectations for the unit next year.