Consistency
Holding The Line: AFC South
Ron Rigney has a look at what players have changed his new team and what that means for his fantasy football consistency!.
The latest changes to the offensive line have had the greatest impact on NFL teams and fantasy football, and Ron Rigney highlights those changes in terms of the consistency of the weapons they protect.
5/15/2026 Edition*
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Additions
Braden Smith, Free Agent
Wyatt Teller, Free Agent
Evan Brown, Free Agent
Keylan Rutledge, Round 1, Pick 26
Febechi Nwaiwu, Round 4, Pick 106
The Texans’ offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Despite seeing some improvements down the stretch for a team that was hot heading into the postseason, Houston spent significant free agent money as well as draft capital on improving both the quality and depth of the line. It’s clear what they want to do on offense in 2026.
From a sacks-allowed standpoint, the Texans improved drastically compared to the previous year. Houston allowed just 23 sacks on the season, which was a huge decline from 2024’s total of 52. Despite this, they still ranked near the bottom across all pass-blocking metrics, regardless of the site. The improvement was a case of scheming to cover up a weakness, as well as C.J. Stroud’s ability to avoid sacks and extend plays.
Run blocking was an even bigger weakness for the Texans as they ranked even lower across the board in those metrics. The team averaged just 3.9 ypc, and the team’s leading rusher, Woody Marks, finished with just 703 yards. Nick Chubb chipped in just over 500, but was a shell of his former self. For a team that wanted to establish an identity on the ground, it was a significant letdown, despite making the playoffs.
The offensive line should have a brand-new identity, with three offseason acquisitions likely stepping into starting roles. Veteran free agent signings Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller slotted in as the starting right tackle and left guard, respectively. First-rounder Keylan Rutledge figures to move from playing mostly guard in college to being the center on this unit. Evan Brown and Febechi Nwaiwu provide much-needed depth to a unit that lacked it. Houston also traded for David Montgomery, so it’s clear what DeMeco Ryans and the Texans want to do in 2026 on offense. This should be another one of the much-improved offensive lines in the league.
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Tennessee Titans
Additions
Austin Schlottmann, Free Agent
Cordell Volson, Free Agent
Austin Deculus, Free Agent
Fernando Carmona Jr., Round 5 Pick 142
Pat Coogan, Round 6 Pick 194
In 2025, the Titans’ offensive line struggled on the outside, with weak-tackle play. JC Latham ranked near the bottom in most metrics for tackles in the league. He struggled with a hip injury, which affected his play. The interior was the strength; however, starting center Lloyd Cushenberry was let go to save cap space. It was an overall unimpressive unit to say the least.
Combine the lackluster offensive tackle play along with a rookie QB with limited weapons, and it’s no wonder Tennessee allowed the sixth most sacks in the league while Cam Ward averaged just 5.8 YPA. Dan Moore Jr.’s protection of his rookie QB’s blind side was subpar for the amount of money he’s getting (4 years, $82 million). Both tackles appear to be healthy, but huge question marks still abound. The interior could end up being the strength, despite changes at both right guard and center.
The same problems plagued the run game. However, despite the revolving door at RT, the interior of the line developed some cohesion and improved rushing numbers as the season went on. When the dust settled on the 2025 season, the Titans averaged the third-lowest rushing total per game (93.5). To be fair, the game script had a bit to do with that as the Titans found themselves trailing in 51.5% of quarters played. This meant throwing the ball 570 times in order to try to stay in games.
For now, Austin Schlottmann and Cordell Volson are penciled in as starters at center and right guard, respectively with Austin Deculus providing depth as a backup tackle. Both draft picks show tons of promise despite being Day Three players. Both come from success in college, and Coogan should push Schlottmann for the starting center spot from the get-go. Despite how much I like the value of Carmona Jr. and Coogan, they won’t be enough to lift this unit much higher than the bottom third of the league, but it’s a start.
Indianapolis Colts
Additions
Jalen Farmer, Round 4, Pick 113
The Colts clearly didn’t feel as though the offensive line needed much help, as they failed to bring in any free agents and spent just one draft pick addressing the line. When healthy, they still have one of the league’s better starting units. This was no more evident than in 2025 when the team started 8-2 but finished 8-9. As the offensive line failed, so did Daniel Jones until he suffered a season-ending injury.
Indy finished second in the league in pass blocking grade, according to PFF.com. The interior remained a strength, led by Quentin Nelson and Tanner Bortolini. Colts quarterbacks were sacked just 29 times, which was good for the seventh fewest in the league. The Colts will bring back everyone who is healthy for 2026. They just need to stay that way and will need to protect their $44 million quarterback.
Jonathan Taylor remained one of the most consistent RB’s in the league, but had some tough games down the stretch as the offensive line started to go down. Taylor failed to average more than 3.5 ypc in any of his final five starts to end the regular season. Indy finished fourth in run blocking grade, according to PFF.com, and was led on the ground by the usual suspects of Nelson, Bortolini, and Raimann. The trio all graded highly in PFF.com’s individual rankings as well, making Taylor the league’s second leading rusher with 1585 yards.
The 2026 version of the Colts’ offensive line remains unchanged. Despite bringing in anyone through free agency, Jalen Farmer will step in and provide depth at the guard spot and could be relied on as a future starter. The offensive line will continue to be a strength in both run and pass blocking.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Additions
Emmanuel Pregnon, Round 3, Pick 88
Much like division rival Indianapolis, Jacksonville didn’t see the offensive line as a need heading into the offseason. The Jags ended up with a unit that was a bit of an oddity: solid in run blocking but lacking in pass blocking. Each starter returns from a 2025 O-line that was one of the most penalized in the league. Despite them all returning, the team could shake up the depth chart a bit after some weak tackle play. Discipline could be the key to them being ranked highly in both aspects of blocking.
The Jags were one of the best run-blocking lines in the NFL for 2025, but finished with a modest 115 ypg, which put them in the middle of the pack. This was a huge improvement; however, from 2024, they finished near the bottom of the league in rushing. The interior starting three of Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, and Patrick Mekari were the most consistent in the run game, finishing strong in most PFF.com run blocking grades.
The interior line was a bit more of a liability in the passing game, however, with Mekari and Hainsey giving up 25 and 31 pressures, respectively. The Jags finished the season with the 13th most sacks allowed, giving up 41. While Trevor Lawrence experienced one of his finest pro seasons, the pass protection didn’t do him many favors. Week 6 against Seattle was the low point with seven sacks allowed and 17 QB pressures in a loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champs.
Since there were no moves made in free agency, Cole Van Lanen is penciled in as the starter at LT, taking over for Walker Little, who struggled mightily. The interior remains strong, and the team will continue to hope that Anton Harrison continues to improve, as he has each season since being a first-rounder in 2023. Pregnon made 51 starts in college and will provide depth at guard. I wouldn’t rule out seeing any of the three interior starters move to tackle if the team needs it. Pregnon may be called to step in and should be capable of filling the void.
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