Can the Texans' rebuilt O-line protect C.J. Stroud in 2024? See how the new unit is performing in camp and what it means for Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Forget the flashy new receivers and the big-name running back for a second. The single biggest question hanging over the Houston Texans' 2025 season is being answered right now in the sweltering heat of training camp: can this brand-new offensive line protect C.J. Stroud? After the franchise quarterback was sacked a staggering 52 times last year, GM Nick Caserio blew up the front five, and the early returns are providing a dose of cautious optimism.
C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times in 2024, a number the Texans' front office is desperate to slash this season.
The departure of Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil sent shockwaves through the fan base, but the rebuild didn't stop there. With Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason also gone, the Texans have handed the keys to a new-look unit featuring veterans Cam Robinson, Trent Brown, Laken Tomlinson, and Ed Ingram, alongside rookie Aireontae Ersery. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley's primary task is turning this group into a cohesive force. Early camp reports suggest they're making progress in pass protection, giving Stroud more precious time in the pocket. However, the run blocking remains a work in progress, a crucial element for the new one-two punch of Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb.
While the O-line gets the spotlight, other players are making noise. Rookie safety Calen Bullock is quickly emerging as a defensive standout, flashing the ballhawk skills the secondary needs. On offense, the battle for roster spots at wide receiver is intense. Newcomers Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are reshaping the group. Unfortunately, the competition just got tougher for Jared Wayne, who will miss the preseason opener against the Vikings with a minor hamstring injury. For a player on the bubble, any missed time is a significant setback.
As we gear up for the first taste of live action, keep an eye on the 2025 draft class. Beyond the aforementioned Higgins, Noel, and Ersery, who will be critical from day one, fans will get their first look at players like running back Jo'quavious Marks, safety Jaylen Reed, and developmental quarterback Graham Mertz. How these young players perform in preseason could determine their roles—and for some, their roster spots—when the final 53-man roster is set.
The early signs from camp are a mixed bag of promising and concerning, but talk is cheap. The real test comes next Saturday, August 9, when the Minnesota Vikings come to town for the preseason opener. All eyes will be glued to the trenches to see if this massive offensive line experiment was a stroke of genius or a critical misstep. The fate of the 2025 season depends on it.
