The Houston Texans' offensive line was their Achilles heel in 2024. So when they elected to trade away their top offensive lineman in Laremy Tunsil, it caught a lot of people by surprise.
This was one of the strangest moves made in the offseason, as it now feels that the Texans' line is even worse on paper heading into the 2025 season. To add salt to the Texans' wound, the Commanders have now been praised for making one of the best moves of the offseason by trading for Tunsil.
Commanders praised for trading for former Texans LT Laremy Tunsil
While teams we spoke to had mixed reviews on the Deebo Samuel Sr. trade due to perceptions of a declining skill set, most were all-in on Tunsil.
The Washington Commanders gave up four picks -- including third- and seventh-rounders this year, along with second- and fourth-rounders next year -- in exchange for Tunsil and a fourth-rounder. So, essentially, Washington gave up two Day 2 picks and change for Tunsil
While Tunsil is an imperfect player -- he struggles with penalties, and the Houston Texans' offensive line struggled overall in 2024 -- he's on the short list at a premier position.
"He's still a top-three tackle for me," an AFC scout said. "And anything you can do to protect Jayden Daniels and load up while he's on his rookie deal is smart. They gave up a little more than I'd like but I trust AP [general manager Adam Peters] that he knows what he's doing here."Added an NFL coordinator of Tunsil: "Dude's still as good as anyone. Honestly, I think he just gets bored and loses focus sometimes but I'm guessing he will be highly motivated in Washington, and when he is he's among the very best."
- ESPN'S Jeremy Fowler
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke to multiple staff members around the NFL to find their top moves from the offseason. The Texans didn't have a move they made for themselves included, but the Commanders got credit for acquiring the former Texans LT. We will have to wait and see if the Texans outsmarted the rest of the league with this move. If their offensive line looks improved this year, they will look like geniuses. If it worsens, it could ultimately lead to some people losing their jobs. Especially if Tunsil has a fantastic year in Washington protecting Jayden Daniels' blindside.
