The Jacksonville Jaguars checked off a massive box when they beefed up the offensive line in free agency. While they could still make further additions in the draft, they objectively got better up front. The Houston Texans also attempted to bolster the offensive trenches but weren't nearly as successful.
Like the Jags, Houston needed to make upgrades to an offensive line that allowed C.J. Stroud to get sacked 52. The issue is that most of the moves they made in an attempt to improve have left much to be desired. To begin with, the Texans traded Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders and will move Tytus Howard to the left side.
Then, Kenyon Green bolted for the Philadelphia Eagles. Granted, he never lived up to his draft billing, so letting him leave makes sense. The problem is that Houston signed Laken Tomlinson to take his place. This is at best a linear move, and at worst, it's a downgrade. Reserve Kendrick Green also left in free agency and remains unsigned as of this writing.
While Howard could turn out to be a solid replacement for Tunsil, the rest of the moves the Texans made don't inspire confidence. Granted, they could add reinforcements to the offensive line in the draft, but you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who legitimately believes they got better up front in free agency.
Related story: Updated cap space and draft picks for the Jaguars after free agency
CJ Stroud is watching how the Jaguars are doing their best to protect Trevor Lawrence
While the Texans did a poor job of making upgrades to their offensive line, the Jacksonville Jaguars are making sure Trevor Lawrence will have enough time to find his receiver in 2025. Moreover, the additions they made to the trenches should allow head coach Liam Coen to install the run-heavy scheme that helped him have so much success in Tampa Bay last year. The cherry on the top is that the Jags didn't have to break the bank.
Instead of forking out a significant amount of money for center Drew Dalman and offensive guard Will Fries, Jacksonville signed Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey to replace right guard Brandon Scherff and Mitch Morse, respectively. The former walked in free agency and the latter retired.
Both Mekari and Hainsey lack name recognition but both are younger than their respective predecessors. Moreover, they fit what the Jaguars want to do in the offensive trenches. Add the fact that the team's brass signed Chuma Egoba to add depth, and it's fair to say that Jacksonville accomplished what it intended in free agency.
Of course, the signings won't be truly assessed until the regular season starts, but it's fair to say that the Jaguars got much better in free agency while the Texans got much worse.
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