Texans' aggressive offseason moves for linemen and a running back face a potential draft shake-up, risking veteran starter roles.
When the Houston Texans' 2025 season came to a heartbreaking close in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, a few things were clear about how the franchise needed to attack the 2026 offseason. Perhaps the most obvious thing was that the organization needed to do everything in its power to make C.J. Stroud's life a little easier. This included improving the offensive line and finding a way to make the running game a little bit more consistent. Steps have been taken to do accomplish those things, but it might not end up mattering.
Houston certainly improved the offensive line during free agency as the organization signed both Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith, who were two of the top free agent linemen available. The Texans also completed a trade with the Detroit Lions to bring in running back David Montgomery, which means the running back room is certainly improved heading into 2026. The franchise still has the draft to look forward to, and Houston is set up nicely as the team has three picks in the first two rounds of the event.
Despite the offseason additions of above-average starters like Teller and Smith, Houston is still expected to attack the offensive line in this event. It is important to have youth and depth along the offensive line, and it is worth noting that both Teller and Smith signed two-year deals. This means they will likely need to be replaced in the near future, and Texans beat writer for ESPN,DJ Bien-Aime, believes rookies could be inserted into the starting lineup over the newly acquired veterans as early as the 2026 season, "Houston doesn't have a choice because it needs long-term answers at guard and center. The Texans plan to draft offensive linemen to have young, cost-effective talent that can develop over time. The Texans have veteran starters in right guard Ed Ingram, right tackle Braden Smith and guard Wyatt Teller, but none of their deals prevent Houston from replacing them as early as this season if the rookies show immense promise."
The Texans are not financially committed to either Teller or Smith in the long term, and Teller's contract is relatively easy to move on from during the 2027 season if the organization chooses to do so. If Houston selects a guard or tackle early in the event, which is very possible, this is a scenario to watch. However, whether Teller and Smith remain the starters or not, they provide great depth and veteran leadership.