2017 NFL Free Agency: 5 Offensive Linemen For Houston Texans to Consider
The Houston Texans need some help 2017 NFL free agency on their offensive line if they want to remain atop the AFC South moving forward.
With offensive tackle Derek Newton still recovering after his horrific knee injury last season, the Houston Texans are going to be in the offensive line market for, at minimum, one position in 2017. Tack on the fact that Duane Brown already has nine seasons under his belt at left tackle and the Texans are looking another possible addition.
This isn't to say that the Texans offensive line is a mess; it isn't. But as free agency approaches, it's important to weigh all considerations for the team, regardless of how solid various positions may appear already. A nine-year starter may quickly become someone riding the bench due to injury.
The 2016 Minnesota Vikings are perhaps the greatest example of this. Moving on from longtime center John Sullivan before the season, the Vikings desperately needed offensive line help as nearly every player went down with injury throughout the season. The lack of depth was easily apparent and a team with deep playoff aspirations spent January watching from home.
The Texans, already in a competitive division and barely scraping by with a third-straight 9-7 season, cannot let that happen. Offensive line depth is incredibly important and, no matter what flashes 2016 second-round pick Nick Martin shows, he missed all of 2016 with injury.
With that in mind, here are five free agent offensive linemen options for the Houston Texans to consider.
Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) and tackle Matt Kalil (75) pass protect for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) rushes in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
5. Matt Kalil, OT – Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil's strong start to his career has somehow fallen off the tracks. The former fourth-overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft has fallen out of favor with the Minnesota Vikings and it would not be surprising to see the team move on from him.
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While Kalil wouldn't mind staying in Minnesota (per the Pioneer Press), the only reason they may keep him is because of his previous potential that he showed straight out of college and the fact that he is only 27 years old and has plenty of football in front of him.
Those are the same reasons that Kalil is valuable to other teams as well, though, and offensive tackle is a valuable position that gets paid in free agency. With Duane Brown at least entering his twilight years and the need at right tackle, Kalil would be a valuable addition to the Houston Texans offensive line. If he does not pan out as a left tackle-in-waiting, he can always be used on as the right tackle for the team.
What matters most about this potential offensive lineman signing is that Kalil brings flexibility to the Texans offensive line. The team needs someone who can step up in case someone goes down with injury as Kalil can do that at either left tackle or right tackle. He has high upside and he still has plenty of time to play. That's the recipe for a quality free agency signing.
Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Kelvin Beachum (68) sits on the bench after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Field. The Minnesota Vikings won 25-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
4. Kelvin Beachum, OT – Jacksonville Jaguars
Cast off by the Jacksonville Jaguars in favor of trading for an aged Branden Albert, Kelvin Beachum suddenly finds himself looking for a second new team in as many years after spending his first four with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coming off an injury in 2015, Beachum was an unknown quantity when the Jaguars picked him up for 2016. It was unclear whether he could come back and contribute immediately and whether he was still as durable as he used to be. He responded by starting 15 games and playing solid, if unspectacular, football.
That level of play and some penalties led to him heading out the door. The 27-year-old is far from done as a contributor, though. With plenty of starting experience under his belt, Beachum needs to catch on with a team as a valuable role contributor and prove he can buckle down and deliver again. That spot may be best with a team like the Houston Texans who don't need him to be a starting left tackle immediately but can use him as a reserve or to bolster the line in key situations or if an injury occurs.
The fact of the matter is that Beachum has starting caliber talent and could play for any team in the NFL. Whether those teams are interested after he led the Jags in enforced penalties is another matter. If nobody comes calling early, the Texans would be wise to start negotiating for a team-friendly deal with Beachum.
Sep 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) defends as Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) blocks in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
3. Mike Remmers, OT – Carolina Panthers
With Derek Newton's torn patellas, right tackle has become a serious concern. Mike Remmers has little love left in Carolina after moving to left tackle and struggling, but he still has tremendous value as a right tackle in the NFL. Fortunately, that's the position the Houston Texans desperately need to fill.
With 32 starts in the last two seasons, Remmers can instantly come in an upgrade the tackle position for the Texans. Writing about this in a recent post as a top priority player to sign, I said the following:
While the draft can yield plenty of offensive line talent for the Texans, getting a starting-caliber tackle for (relatively) cheap is always a good move. Whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Texans needs to stay upright and whoever is running the ball needs holes opened up front. Remmers can help provide that.
Remmers is currently at a low point in terms of value. With his shift to left tackle teams are stuck wondering if he can make that transition permanent and step up his game or if he only has value as a right tackle.
For the Texans, it doesn't matter. With experience as a starting left tackle it is great to have that added depth in case anything happens, but he can immediately improve the hole on the other side of the line as well. It's a win-win from the Texans perspective, making this move one of the more obvious ones in 2017 free agency. Whether the Texans see that value as better than a 2017 draft pick remains to be seen, but at this point no starting-caliber lineman should be overlooked, especially if he can be had for cheap.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kevin Zeitler, OG – Cincinnati Bengals
The University of Wisconsin turns out some of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Kevin Zeitler is no different than many of his Badger peers. The pending Cincinnati Bengals free agent guard is going to command plenty of attention in 2017 free agency and could end up making a lot of money as a result. At age 26, he has his best football in front of him and a solid body of work over five seasons as a starter for the Bengals.
At a position that gives the folks after at SB Nation's Battle Red Blog "serious anxiety" Zeitler can immediately help improve the Houston Texans offensive line. He is an absolute stud interior lineman who can do it all. He can bully opponents in the run game and pass protect well, helping to turn Andy Dalton from a measure of mediocrity into a bonafide stud starting quarterback.
The Texans need an upgrade at one of the two starting guard spots and Zeitler can provide it. The real concern is how much he may cost (Spotrac estimates market value at $11.6 million per year) as plenty of teams seem interested and could create a bidding war.
Aug 8, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene (23) follows a block by guard Chance Warmack (70) against the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
5. Chance Warmack, OG – Tennessee Titans
The former first-round selection from the 2013 NFL Draft missed just two games from 2013-15 but spent 14 games on the sidelines in 2016 after having surgery on his right hand. Before the season, the Titans announced they would not pick up his fifth-year option.
In a bit of a perfect storm, Warmack finds himself likely heading to free agency after the team that drafted him has moved on after he spent a year providing little value. For some teams, this may be a concern, but for the Houston Texans this represents an opportunity to add a cheaper, high-talent player to the roster.
Warmack has not played as a great guard through his young career. With the Titans has has been above average at best and average at worst. While this sounds disappointing, it only is from the lens of Warmack being a first-round pick for that organization.
Other teams, however, did not invest that draft capital in Warmack and can see the value in an average to above average performer at guard or, best scenario, get increased production from Warmack after a change of scenery. It could be a low cost gamble, but bringing Warmack down to Houston may be exactly what he needs to jumpstart his career and get back on track.
