The Houston Texans have been making headlines this offseason with a series of bold moves, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Houston brought in a new offensive coordinator and play-caller, traded veteran tackle Laremy Tunsil and selected not 1 but 2 wide receivers early in the draft. The Texans are clearly determined to use change to facilitate make a deeper postseason run in 2025. Yet, amid all the high-profile moves and media attention, one name has quietly emerged as a potential game-changer: Aireontae Ersery, the rookie offensive tackle drafted in the second round out of Minnesota.
Despite being a second-round pick, a position that typically garners significant attention, Ersery has flown under the radar. Second round picks usually generate more buzz (obviously first round picks generate the most) but the commentary around Ersery has been relatively quiet. However, recent comments from head coach DeMeco Ryans and reports from Texans offseason suggest that Ersery is quickly becoming a favorite among the coaching staff and could be on track to start from day one.
According to ESPN.com, Ryans has praised Ersery’s steady improvement both on and off the field, highlighting his developing routine, improved footwork, and pad leverage. “I can’t wait to see him actually put pads on and have to block Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. That’s going to be a really good challenge for him. He gets to go up against two of the best pass rushers in the NFL. So, he’s only going to get better by going against those guys,” Ryans noted.
The ESPN.com report noted that the Texans have been rotating Ersery at right tackle alongside second-year tackle Blake Fisher and Zack Thomas. The fact that Ersery is being thrown into the mix against elite pass rushers like Hunter and Anderson is telling. Rookies who aren’t yet ready to contend for playing time don’t draw reps against the elite players on their roster. The coaching staff appears to view Ersery as a legitimate contender for a starting role, not just in the future, but immediately.
What sets Ersery apart from other rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft class is his performance in college, particularly in pass protection. When comparing his “no pressure percentage”—the rate at which he did not allow a pressure on pass-blocking snaps—Ersery outperformed several top prospects, including first-round pick Will Campbell and fellow second-rounders Ozzy Trapilo and Anthony Belton.
The data becomes even more impressive when focusing on “true pass set” situations. These include obvious passing downs like third-and-long, where the offensive tackle’s ability to hold up in protection is most critical. In these scenarios, Ersery’s no-pressure percentage was significantly higher than his three peers. The data clearly suggests Ersery has elite pass protection talent and potential.
The Texans’ need for improved pass protection became painfully clear in 2024, as quarterback C.J. Stroud’s numbers dipped compared to his breakout rookie campaign. While injuries at wide receiver and inconsistent play-calling played a role, the offensive line’s struggles were a major factor. It was no secret that pass protection devastated the Texans offense (the prime time debacle against the New York Jets comes to mind).
This is exactly where the Texans feel Ersery can come in. If he can translate his collegiate success to the pro level, he could provide a long time quality answer at tackle that Stroud desperately needs. Protecting the franchise quarterback is (obviously) a top priority, and Ersery’s skill set aligns perfectly with that mission. Despite that supposedly clear priority the Texans finished 21st in pass protection last season according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). It seems highly likely that Ersery could be a key part of the puzzle that improves that ranking.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Ersery pick is the value he represents. With former star tackle Laremy Tunsil now with the Washington Commanders, the Texans are looking for a new anchor on the offensive line. Ersery’s rookie contract is a fraction of what it would have cost to retain Tunsil. Based on data complied at overthecap.com, over the course of the entire season, Ersery will earn less than Tunsil would have made in a single game.
This kind of cost-effective roster building allows the Texans to allocate resources elsewhere while still addressing a critical need. If Ersery lives up to the early hype, Houston will have pulled off one of the biggest steals of the draft, securing a long-term starter at a premium position for a bargain price.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
