It’s time to turn the red lights on for Green
The Kenyon Green experience has been a failure. What’s worse is that the Texans elected to trade back two spots, and the two players that were selected were DT Jordan Davis and All-Pro Safety Kyle Hamilton. Between the injuries and poor play on the field, Green is trending towards the biggest draft bust since Amobi Okoye in 2007.
The third year rookie single-handedly almost cost the Houston Texans the game against the Indianapolis Colts. It’s clear that any defensive tackle with a modicum of size and speed is an undeniable mismatch for Green. His feet are more stuck in quicksand than Indiana Jones in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (horrible movie). There’s simply no coordination between his feet and his hands when trying to strike.
Considering he missed all of last season and is weighing down an already mediocre offensive line, Houston must cut their losses. They’ve already over-invested in the offensive line already, but it’s to the point where this single positional deficit is impacting the entire team and putting QB C.J. Stroud at risk.
With that, it’s time to look in other directions. There aren’t any guards on the free agent market who could be signed and start right away. The Texans best hope is testing the trade market and giving up draft capital.
Here’s a list of the most recent trades for offensive guards. Somehow, Houston encompasses three of the last seven trades… and this is still a problem.
Houston doesn’t need to pony up top-end draft capital to acquire a top end guard. Most of the guards traded are mid-tier, but that may be enough to fix the issue.
Ideally, Houston can shell out a day-three draft pick for one of the below starting guards. According to Spotrac, there hasn’t been a trade where an offensive guard was dealt for anything more than a fourth rounder (plus additional draft compensation) since 2020. AKA – Houston could fill the starting left guard spot for a fifth rounder. Fortunately, Texans have one.
Dylan Parham, OG – Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
Contract: four years, $5.1M (rookie contract)
Currently injured – foot injury
Age: 25
Bio: A third-year guard, Parham has experience playing both guard spots. He has been a plug-and-play option for the Raiders since being drafted and can truly play all three interior spots. His true home is left guard, but second-year lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson has needed to play right guard.
Why he fits: While he’s dealing with a lingering foot injury that has kept him out of the last two games, Parham has been one of the more consistent players on the horrid Raiders. Parham was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft (same year as Green) and has the mix of pass blocking and run blocking needed to excel in the Bobby Slowik offense. Parham is a better run blocker than pass blocker and has had an excellent third season. Houston could get him for cheap due to the injury and his rookie contract.
Damien Lewis, OG – Carolina Panthers (1-7)
Age: 27
Contract: four year, $53m contract signed in 2024
Bio: former third round pick and 2020 All-Rookie team member, Lewis was signed this offseason by the Panthers in an effort to build around second-year QB Bryce Young. He’s a fantastic pass blocker with average run blocking skills. A pure left guard, he has experience his rookie season playing right guard before switching over.
Why he fits: He’s only allowed one sack all season. While his contract would be a doozy, it’s one Houston could afford it with some finagling down the line. The Panthers would part ways with Lewis as he’s one of the most expensive long term contracts the Panthers have. They’re still in a long-term rebuild mode and paying a guard $16M per year isn’t reasonable; let alone that they’re paying two guards that much. Lewis would bring four years of experience and reliability. Adding Lewis would be a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.
Joel Bitonio
Age: 33
Contract: three year, $48M contract extension in 2024 with two years of void years (aka they’re paying him through 2028)
Bio: one of the most well respected guards in the league, Bitonio is as sage and solid as the come. The Browns gave resigned him this offseason more as a sign of respect than a long-term play. The Browns fans would be upset if they traded Bitonio for draft capital, but it would signal the rebuilding process that the Browns need to commence. His best seasons are behind him, but there’s still enough quality in the tank to be an improvement over Green.
Why he fits: Bitonio is the definition of stopping the bleeding. It’s unfortunate that Bitonio recently signed a massive contract, otherwise I would expect the Texans to make this happen. Given his age and contract, this would be a steroid shot with long-term side effects. His consistency and durability are exactly what the Texans need to assuage the ills on the offensive line.
Lucas Patrick, OG – New Orleans Saints
Age: 31
Contract: one year, $1.1M contract
Bio: a left guard who can play center, Patrick is a low-risk, low-reward guard option. Is he better than Kendrick Green? Probably not. Does he provide another option outside of Kenyon Green? Yes.
Why he fits: He’d fetch probably a 7th round draft pick. He knows the system due to his time in Green Bay and Chicago. Mainly, he’s a rotational guard on a bad team that could be looking to shell out a guy for future draft picks. He had one poor game against Kansas City while playing center, but outside of that he hasn’t given up a sack yet and only allowed two penalties all year.