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.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
QB, Kyle Allen, #3
DB, Grayland Arnold, #35
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
WR, Chad Beebe
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #8
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
WR, Jalen Camp, #17
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Chris Conley, #18
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Myron Cunningham, #72
DL, Damion Daniels, #93
LB, Tae Davis, #19
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #98
RB, B.J. Emmons, #44
WR, Drew Estrada, #81
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
DB, Jacobi Francis, #38
RB, Royce Freeman, #26
OL, Kenyon Green, #59
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
TE, Seth Green, #87
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
LB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
DL, Demone Harris, #94
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #69
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
FB, Andy Janovich, #41
DL, Jordan Jenkins, #50
WR, Johnny Johnson III, #89
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
RB, Marlon Mack, #2
WR, John Metchie III, #88
DB, Tristin McCollum, #39
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
DB, Fabian Moreau, #22
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
DL, Adedayo Odeleye, #75
OL, Cedric Ogbuehi, #77
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57
FB, Paul Quessenberry, #40
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
DL, Derek Rivers, #95
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Kendall Sheffield, #27
DB, Tremon Smith, #1
OL, Jordan Steckler, #70
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
OL, Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms, #73
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
WR, Connor Wedington, #82
LS, Jon Weeks #46
DB, Isaac Yiadom, #20
