Texans Predicted to Land Proven Veteran Brandon Scherff to Protect C.J. Stroud originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With the 2025 NFL Draft and the first major wave of free agency behind them, NFL teams are developing a clearer picture of what their rosters lack.
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With still much of the offseason ahead, teams will wade back into the waters of free agency. There are still several numerous names floating about, and one name stands out for the Houston Texans: Brandon Scherff.
In a recent article from Pro Football & Sports Network, analyst Brandon Austin listed one free agent each NFL team should sign ahead of the 2025 season. For the Texans, Austin predicts they will pursue veteran guard Scherff to solidify the offensive line.
“That position group was the team’s biggest weakness in 2024, and it became even worse at the start of free agency,” Austin wrote. “The 31st-ranked offensive line in PFSN’s rankings traded away their best piece in left tackle Laremy Tunsil.”
Houston also traded away guard Kenyon Green, but they signed veteran Laken Tomlinson and made a trade with the Vikings for Ed Ingram.
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Though the Texans somewhat addressed their offensive line needs in the Draft, Austin isn’t convinced it’s enough.
“Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery is a mountain of a man, and he has starting upside in the NFL, but he may not be ready to plug into an already dysfunctional lineup right away,” Austin wrote.
“That’s why adding a proven veteran like Brandon Scherff to the mix makes a lot of sense.”
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff (68) runs during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25.Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Scherff, 33, is a former No. 5 overall pick by Washington out of Iowa in the 2015 NFL Draft. He’s played for a decade and has been named to the Pro Bowl in half of those seasons.
Though he’s likely nearing the end of his career, Austin noted Scherff’s recent health as a reason for optimism.
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“Scherff managed to stay healthy during his time with the Jaguars, which was a welcome change after several injury-plagued years in Washington,” Austin wrote.
“He’s now played in all 17 games for three straight seasons, following a stretch where he missed at least three games in five consecutive years.”
Scherff was a brick wall in pass protection during the 2024 season after not giving up a single sack across 592 pass-blocking snaps. Among all NFL guards, only Trey Smith (665 snaps) logged more without allowing a sack.
Though Scherff wouldn’t be a long-term fix, he would be a powerful addition to an otherwise struggling offensive line contingent.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
