Another season full of optimism has came and went without the Houston Texans hoisting the Lombardi trophy, but optimism for the future has rarely ever been higher. Despite the season ending in the Divisional Round once again for Houston, it has never been so clear to the spectators and decision-makers alike what this team needs to claim a championship. Few previous teams in Texans history can claim to be better than the 2024 squad, but few more have had weaknesses so glaring; namely, a porous offensive line. You cannot tell the story of the 2024 Houston Texans without describing their offensive line as an Achilles heel, or at least as a major contributor to the seasons premature end. So, what starting lineup is Houston working with right now?Houston Texans current offensive line depth chart:LT: Laremy TunsilZeitler refuses to age. Despite being well into his 30s, usually the end of the road for most linemen, Zeitler continues to be of the very best blockers in the league. Coming off a career year in Detroit, Zeitler was one of the pavers of the Lions prolific Sonic & Knuckles rushing attack that highlighted running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Before that, Zeitler spent three years blocking for Lamar Jacksons Ravens, where he was one of the most reliable pass-blockers in the AFC Christian Kirk Jersey. That age may give you pause, but hes averaging over 1,000 snaps a season in his 13-year career. Kevin Zeitler may just be an ageless wonder; someone that seems to be immune to the wear and tear that is commonplace among all other NFL players. If he was four or five years younger, hed be the consensus best offensive lineman available, and for that reason he remains as one of my favorite targets for the 2025 offseason. There is one massive caveat to Zeitler, though: hes played exclusively at right guard his entire, 12-year career in the NFL. Moving to left guard may be something hes willing to consider at this point in his career, but that may be overly optimistic for me to think. Regardless, hes a player that the Texans should at least keep an eye on at the beginning of free agency. 3. G Patrick Mekari Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images Age 28Height: 6 4, Weight: 305 lbs. 1,131 snaps all at LG except 3 games at RT59. 0 PFF, 71. 6 pass, 56. 0 run This is a bit of an outlier pick, but one of my personal favorites. Traditionally a tackle, Patrick Mekari has found himself playing at virtually every position along the offensive line due to injuries during his six-year career in Baltimore. Despite the movement along the line, Mekari has been a starter anywhere hes been placed. Hes incredibly strong, has great footwork and is gifted with some serious agility, making him a perfect complement to the zone based, Joe Mixon centered rushing attack. Signing Mekari is functionally similar to signing two players; he could quickly replace Kenyon Green at left guard, as well as become a great backup for virtually every other spot along the offensive line. Unlike some other guards on this list, this is a player I can realistically see the Texans being able to compete for and sign this offseason. Some of these players will be getting lucrative offers from a small army of teams with plenty more cap space than Houston, but Mekari is a player that may be willing to forfeit a better, long-term deal for a shorter one with a contender like the Texans. 2. G Will Fries Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Age 27Height: 6 6, Weight: 305 lbs. 268 snaps at RG 86. 9 PFF , 74. 9 pass , 84. 9 run Will Fries, a former collegiate teammate of Juice Scruggs while at Penn State, may be an ideal option for Houston. Fries value is buoyed by his youth and small-but-mighty 2024 sample size, but he still may not breach into unaffordable territory for Houston. Fries has seen his snap count rise dramatically year after year since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Just to add insult to the injury of Houston passing up star Kansas City guard Trey Smith in the sixth round, Fries has rounded into a reliable pass blocker and is a rapidly improving, if inconsistent run blocker. His 2024 season was shaping up to be his best by a long shot until Fries suffered a fractured tibia while facing the Jaguars in October. If his brief but excellent 2024 campaign is to be believed, hes one of the best young guards in the NFL. If youd rather put more weight into his 2023 season where he played 1,125 snaps, hes an adequate right guard with the ceiling to become much better. Regardless of what you think of him, hes almost certainly better than what Houston has in the left guard spot right now, and the advantage of being able to play with a collegiate teammate in the NFL adds to his value. The interior of the offensive line is often the most chaotic spot on the field, but is Fries to be trusted as a starter at such a pivotal moment in Texans history? Is his injury a deal-breaker? Again, it depends on who you ask; but to me, hes worth the risk. 1. G James DanielsPhoto by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Age 28Height: 6 4, Weight: 327 lbs. 209 snaps at RG 92. 9 PFF , 66. 5 pass , 92. 5 run In my humble opinion, this is the guy. If Houston wanted to plug a player into their weakest spot on the line and forget about it, this would be the guy to pay. James Daniels has been a starting-caliber lineman immediately after being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has the strength and the legs to hold his own at guard, and revealed as much both in Chicago and in Pittsburgh. Although, the Achilles injury he suffered early in the 2024 season has put his current value into question, especially looking into a 2025 season that Houston hopes to be pivotal. So, similar to Will Fries, the question with James Daniels comes to whether or not you think he is worth the risk of signing while recovering from a significant injury. To me, his several years of excellent performance is more than enough to take the risk, even if it means dipping into the piggy bank a little further than some may be comfortable with C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jersey. For a problem like Houstons - where they are just one lineman away from having a complete offense - you dont want a rookie phenom or a grizzled veteran, you need a professional. He is my #1 target this thats the list! Im all about the guards coming into the 2025 season. Wide receiver can be considered a weak spot on the offense as well, but I still believe that the left guard spot is the weakest spot on the entire team. Getting to the Super Bowl will require addressing that problem, so we might as well get it out of the way first thing in March! What do you think, though? Would the Texans be right to sign one of the five linemen mentioned above, or would they be better off looking for their answer at left guard in the draft? Or, is there another free agent that has caught your eye? Let us know down in the comments below!Go Texans!