Brian Gaine has been the general manager for just over a week, and one of many spots he's looking to upgrade is the offensive line.
The four Texans who threw a pass last season were sacked a combined 54 times. Only Indianapolis allowed more in the NFL, as the Colts quarterbacks were dropped a League-worst 56 times. Keeping Deshaun Watson upright and healthy is a key, and Gaine explained his thoughts on getting better up front.
"It's certainly an area that we're going to evaluate heavily here," Gaine said. "As I get my feet wet here in the operation, knowing what we have and then studying what's going to be available to us in the free agent market first and obviously with the draft right around the corner."
Head coach Bill O'Brien was encouraged by some of the young pieces up front, including center Nick Martin, left tackle Julién Davenport and guard Kyle Fuller.
"There's some good, young offensive linemen here that have to continue to improve and get better, have great offseasons," O'Brien said.
Gaine, meanwhile, emphasized he'll "pursue all avenues to improve our roster". Surrounding Watson with talent is a must.
"When you have a quarterback in place that you believe in, that you think can help you win a lot of football games, you've got to start to put pieces around him and pieces in place to help him succeed on the field," Gaine said. "That's not just with the perimeter players and the skill players, that'll be with the offensive line."
Gaine, O'Brien and the rest of the Texans scouting, personnel and coaching staffs will be in Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl practices and game.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 5/2/2020)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
NT, Auzoyah Alufohai #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
OLB, Davin Bellamy, 48
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
DE, Angelo Blackson, 97
WR, DeAndre Carter, 14
CB, Anthony Chesley, 43
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
WR, Will Fuller, V, 15
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
S, Tashaun Gipson, 39
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
WR, Chad Hansen #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Karan Higdon #24
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
G, Cordel Iwuagwu #70
DT, Tim Jernigan
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
RB, David Johnson #31
ILB, Jan Johnson #56
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
T, Roderick Johnson #63
OLB, Jamir Jones #47
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
OLB, Chris Landrum, 42
OL, Rick Leonard, 72
S, Shalom Luani, 42
OL, Greg Mancz, 65
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Alex McGough, 3
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
OL, Kyle Murphy, 68
S, Eric Murray #23
OL, Elijah Nkansah, 75
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips #40
T, Brent Qvale #76
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
CB, Bradley Roby #21
DE, Ira Savage-Lewis, 96
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
WR, Tyler Simmons #86
TE, Dylan Stapleton #84
OL, David Steinmetz, 79
WR, Kenny Stills, 12
TE, Jordan Thomas, 83
S, Michael Thomas #28
QB, Nick Tiano #8
OL, Laremy Tunsil, 78
NT, Eddie Vanderdoes, 95
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
S, Jaylen Watkins #27
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
LS, Jon weeks #46
WR, Isaac Whitney, 19
C, Elex Woodworth #77
