Texans’ vision for rookie Aireontae Ersery is at tackle only: ‘He can help us at tackle’

HOUSTON – When Texans rookie Aireontae Ersery broke the huddle for the past three years at the University of Minnesota, the All-American left tackle grappled with elite pass rushers.

The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year allowed just five career sacks, yielding just one sack and one quarterback hit during his final college season. He played only three snaps at left guard, and seven snaps at right tackle over the past three years.

Now, the Texans second-round draft pick will remain at tackle as he starts his NFL career. That’s how the Texans view the 6-foot-6, 331-pound Kansas City native.

“Adding Ersery through our team through the draft, really liked his tape in college at tackle,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He played left tackle, so we’ll start him out at tackle and see how he does there. My vision for him was always he can help us at tackle.”

The reason why the topic of where Ersery will line up is primarily because they have an experienced veteran at left tackle after signing Cam Robinson to a one-year, $14.5 million contract. The Texans have options at right tackle, including returning starter Blake Fisher, Tytus Howard, who can play left guard or right tackle, and Trent Brown, a 6-8, 380-pound swing tackle and a former Pro Bowl selection.

Ersery can play on either side. At his height, though, he’s not regarded as an ideal guard candidate.

The Texans traded the 58th pick of the second round and a third round selection, 99th overall, to the Las Vegas Raiders to draft Ersery, who was projected as a potential first-round draft pick.

Could Ersery play guard in a pinch? Sure, he could, according to his college offensive line coach.

“I’m sure he could,” University of Minnesota offensive line coach and run game coordinator Brian Callahan said. “I think he’s a tackle, but I do think that he has the ability to play elsewhere. I feel like he could definitely play guard, for sure. I’ve been asked that question by a lot of people."

Ersery ran the 40-yard dash in 5.01 seconds at the NFL scouting combine with an impressive 1.75 10-yard split. He had a 29 1/2 inch vertical leap, a 7.81 three-cone drill and a 9-3 broad jump. He bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.

Ersery started a dozen games at left tackle for an offense that averaged 26.15 points per game, 115.6 rushing yards per game and 222.15 passing yards per game. According to Pro Football Focus, Ersery gave up just one sack and one quarterback hit in 398 pass blocking snaps.

“You’re getting a guy that’s committed, that’s committed to the process, that’s going to outwork everybody,” Ersery said. “You’re getting a guy that, most importantly, that loves football. I take pride in protecting my quarterback and opening holes for my running back.”

Ersery started the final 38 games of his career at left tackle.

“With Tae, we add a guy who brings that physicality, that mindset, that I really think helps offensive linemen be good at their job,” Ryans said. “He’s done a great job at playing left tackle and still has room to grow and develop. I’m excited about adding him.”

Before the draft, Ersery visited the Texans, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and the Vikings.

Ersery provides a massive, long-armed presence at the line of scrimmage at 6-foot-6, 331 pounds. He plays with heavy hands and quick feet and could also be deployed at right tackle. His timing on double-team blocks and in space both get high marks.

“He’s only played tackle,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said after the draft. “What can he do? Nobody thought Tytus could go inside and play guard until he went in and did it. Never going to put limitations on what a player can or can’t do. He’s a tackle, until he’s not. Tae has a bunch of snaps at tackle, so we feel like we got pretty good competition at tackle. Pretty good competition inside.

“Who are the five best lineman? Honestly, as we sit here today, none of us have any idea. We’re going to find out. Whoever the five best are, we’ll go from there. Tytus has done a hell of a job with his opportunities going from tackle to guard. If Tytus is better inside and someone else is better outside, great. If Tytus is better outside and someone else is better inside, so be it. Whoever the five are, they’re going to determine who is actually on the field.”

Ersery graded out well against Penn State star pass rusher Abdul Carter as they matched up one-on-one throughout that game. Ersery did a nice job of preventing Carter from using his superior speed, getting a consistent hand punch and keeping his shoulders square and not losing leverage.

That was an impressive performance that stood out to NFL scouts.

“It’s not necessarily one game, there are a lot of good players in the Big Ten,” Caserio said. “Tae has a body of work. Tae has got some things he does well and he has plenty to work on. His mindset, attitude, competitiveness, his physicality, his toughness, you see that on the tape. So, there are certain things he does well, there’s other things maybe needs to work on.

“The player is going to improve based on how much he’s willing to put in and pour into it. You saw that, whether it was in the Penn State game, whether it was in all the other games in the Big Ten, you saw it at the Senior Bowl, so those are all evaluation opportunities for them. We take everything into consideration.”

How Ersery performed against Carter is a game he takes pride in, but it’s the standard he expects from himself.

“The approach never changes, no matter who the opponent is, the standard never comes down,” Ersery said. “I’m just blessed. I got an opportunity to play against some good competition. He’s definitely a good guy, too. Just to go out there and compete and play at the highest level, that’s what it’s all about. Iron sharpens iron.”

The Texans have a rookie minicamp that begins Friday. They’re eager to see Ersery hit the practice field.

“Our second pick is a huge, huge player,” Texans owner Cal McNair said. “I’m excited to see him, 6-6, 330, he is a big man.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com