For the first time in the Deshaun Watson era, the Houston Texans will have all five starters return along the offensive line.
Having Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at left and right tackle, Max Scharping and Zach Fulton as guards, and Nick Martin in the center gives the Texans a continuity among their blocking unit they have rarely had even in the Bill O’Brien era.
“That position especially, there’s a lot of chemistry that goes into that position of playing next to one another, how certain people are going to handle certain blocks and how it’s going to feel and the different responses and reactions that you’ll get,” offensive coordinator Tim Kelly told reporters on May 20.
Part of offensive line coach Mike Devlin’s philosophy has been to find the best five-man rotation that works as a unit along the offensive line, which involves linemen having to display versatility. This is why Howard, who was a left tackle for Alabama State, played guard in his rookie preseason, and also why Scharping, who was a tackle for Northern Illinois, played guard in his rookie year.
In 2019, the Texans found their best five-man unit, and now they can work on the continuity.
“Having all five of those guys back is vital,” Kelly said. “It’s a good thing and it’s something that we’re definitely excited for.”
In 2018, Watson’s first full season at quarterback, he sustained 62 sacks, leading the NFL. In 2019, Watson’s sack totals dropped to 44, which were still in the top 10 at sixth-most in the NFL, but a marked improvement over 2018.
The Texans offensive line also produced a 1,000-yard runner in running back Carlos Hyde, who collected 1,070, marking the first time in the 29-year-old’s career that he went over the 1,000-yard mark. Houston is expected to match or surpass that total with the addition of All-Pro running back David Johnson.
