The Houston Texans spent the draft ensuring the offense would be well-prepared for a breakout season under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley come this fall. Out of the nine picks, six came from the offensive side, including three with their top four picks.

While Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are expected to be contributors, neither player has to transform into a breakout star and security blanket for Stroud. Pro Bowler Nico Collins is back in 2025, while Houston traded a late Day 3 pick to pick up former Jaguars starter Christian Kirk.

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Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery isn’t so lucky. While Houston added two veterans to replace Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, the expectations are for the Minnesota second-round pick to transform into a servicable tackle and long-term building block on the blindside for Stroud. Throughout college, he was one of the Big Ten’s more stable linemen despite working with three different offensive coordinators and quarterbacks.

USA Today’s Tyler Dragon chose one breakout rookie candidate from each NFL team. For the Texans, Dragon believes Ersey has the potential to thrive at an important position for Caley in the pass protection sets.

“Ersery is Houston’s potential long-term answer at left tackle,” Dragon wrote. “The Texans only signed veteran left tackle Cam Robinson to a one-year deal. Ersery started 12 games at left tackle at Minnesota last year. He allowed just one sack and 12 pressures.”

After giving up 54 sacks in 2025, the Texans wanted to make a switch in their trenches. Trent Brown and Robinson could serve as stop gaps early in the year, but Houston needs long-term pieces. Former second-round pick Blake Fisher will ger a crack to start at right tackle, but even he’s not locked into a starting spot for the long haul. Ersery, whom the Texans nearly traded up 20 spots for on draft night, might have to be.

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With questions around the offensive line in both the short and long-term play, having Esery hit the ground running would be a welcome sight for Houston entering Week 1’s showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans OT Aireontae Ersery dubbed USA Today’s breakout candidate