Texans Could Have An Underrated Trade Candidate Sitting On Their Bench

The Houston Texans may have an opportunity to turn one of their offensive line depth pieces into additional draft capital before the NFL trade deadline. Backup center Jake Andrews is an intriguing potential trade candidate, especially considering his experience as a starter and the number of teams around the league dealing with injuries at the position.

Andrews has already shown that he can handle a starting role in the NFL. In 2025, he started in 16 games at center for Houston, giving the Texans a reliable option in the middle of their offensive line. That experience could make him an appealing target for teams looking for stability at a position that can be difficult to address in the middle of a season.

His situation in Houston has changed, however. Evan Brown currently occupies the starting center position, leaving Andrews on the bench. The Texans have also shown some willingness to explore other options behind Brown. During training camp, rookie left guard Keylan Rutledge even took some snaps at center, suggesting the coaching staff is comfortable having other players provide depth at the position.

That could make Andrews somewhat expendable, particularly if another team is willing to offer a decent return.

Houston shouldn't give away valuable offensive line depth just to add another late-round selection. Injuries can change a team's needs quickly, and having an experienced backup center is important over the course of a 17-game season. Still, if a team were willing to offer a decent Day 3 draft pick, it would be worth considering.

The Green Bay Packers are an obvious team to monitor. They are already on their third center of the season, creating a potential need for someone with starting experience. Andrews would give them a player who has already demonstrated the ability to handle a full season as a starter rather than forcing them to rely on another inexperienced option.

Green Bay isn't necessarily the only team that could use help at center, either. Offensive line injuries are common throughout the NFL, and teams with postseason aspirations aren't always willing to wait for their injured players to return before addressing a weakness.

The Texans have plenty of decisions to make as they evaluate their roster, and moving Andrews wouldn't necessarily be a priority. However, his starting experience gives him value beyond what he currently provides as a backup in Houston. If General Manager Nick Caserio can turn that value into a Day 3 pick without significantly weakening the team's offensive line depth, it's a move worth exploring.