Xavier Su'a-Filo is a lot further along than he was 365 days ago.
As a rookie in 2014, the second-rounder out of UCLA missed OTAs because of his alma mater's quarter system. While his rookie teammates were practicing with veterans for the first time, Su'a-Filo was back home trying his best to stay in shape and prepare for the rigors of an NFL campaign.
"It feels like night and day to be honest with you," the offensive lineman said on Wednesday. "Learning the offense again, reviewing a lot of things, I just feel comfortable out there. There's a little bit of time, always things I can work on to get better, but I just feel a lot more confident out there."
Su'a-Filo played in various spots on the line during preseason games last August, and wound up seeing
action in 13 regular season games at left guard. With the departure of Chris Myers, there's a strong chance Su'a-Filo will start at left guard and Ben Jones will move over to the starting center position. So far, Jones has been impressed with what he's seen from Su'a-Filo.
"X is a good player," Jones said. "He works really hard, he has a bright future and he's going to keep on grinding and I look forward to seeing how he progresses."
Left tackle Duane Brown, who played a few dozen snaps next to Su'a-Filo last season, agreed with Jones.
"Xavier is looking to make a big jump in his second year," Brown said. "He's learned a lot on the go. He's got the offense down pretty good this year."
Being sandwiched between Brown and Jones has been a learning experience for the former Bruin.
"Ben's taught me a lot about the offense, he's real smart as well," Su'a-Filo said. "Obviously he's a center so he's taught me what he sees and what to expect. Biggest thing with Duane is he's giving me advice on how to be a good pro, and how to have a routine every single day and follow it, take care of your body and stuff like that."
Much was obviously thought of Su'a-Filo for the Texans to select him as the first pick of the second round in 2014. If he takes steps to fulfill the promise seen in him, the Texans offense will be that much stronger.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/16/2021)

TE, Jordan Akins, #88

TE, Antony Auclair

DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30

DL, Ross Blacklock, #90

OL, Justin Britt

DB, Terrence Brooks

TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85

OL, Cohl Cabral, #72

OL, Marcus Cannon

WR, Randall Cobb, #18

DL, Maliek Collins

WR, Chris Conley

WR, Brandin Cooks, #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82

WR, Keke Coutee, #16

DB, Keion Crossen, #35

LB, Zach Cunningham, #41

LB, Tae Davis

DL, Brandon Dunn, #92

LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53

WR, Alex Erickson

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7

QB, Ryan Finley

OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77

LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52

LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill

LB, Nate Hall, #48

DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26

OL, Charlie Heck, #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27

OL, Tytus Howard, #71

RB, Buddy Howell, #38

RB, Mark Ingram

TE, Ryan Izzo

LB, Jordan Jenkins

RB, David Johnson, #31

DL, Jaleel Johnson

DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32

P, Cameron Johnston

DB, Desmond King

LB, Christian Kirksey

DL, Shaq Lawson

RB, Phillip Lindsay

LB, Jacob Martin, #54

OL, Justin McCray

LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59

DB, Terrance Mitchell

WR, Donte Moncrief

DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33

WR, Chris Moore

DB, Eric Murray, #23

LB, Hardy Nickerson

DL, Charles Omenihu, #94

DB, Jonathan Owens, #36

LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

TE, Paul Quessenberry

DB, John Reid, #34

DB, Justin Reid, #20

DL, Derek Rivers

WR, Andre Roberts

DB, Bradley Roby, #21

OL, Max Scharping, #74

DB, Tremon Smith

OL, Jordan Steckler

OL, Lane Taylor

QB, Tyrod Taylor

DL, Vincent Taylor

LB, Joe Thomas

DB, Tavierre Thomas

OL, Cole Toner

OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78

DL, MeMarcus Walker

TE, Kahale Warring, #81

QB, Deshaun Watson, #4

LS, Jon Weeks #46