Looking to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, the Cleveland Browns made the interesting move to trade for Houston Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard, sending a Day 3 draft pick back in return.
Cleveland’s offensive line was going to see quite the overhaul this offseason with six free agents. Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Cam Robinson, Ethan Pocic, and Cornelius Lucas are all out the door.
In return, the Browns made a couple of free agency signings, landing Elgton Jenkins and Teven
Jenkins, but their most notable move was acquiring Howard, who received a two-year, $45 million extension as a part of the trade.
With the 2026 NFL Draft here, let’s evaluate the trade and see what both sides got.
Original terms for the Tytus Howard trade between the Browns and Texans
- Cleveland Browns receive: OT Tytus Howard
- Houston Texans receive: 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 139 overall)
How did Tytus Howard play in 2025?
Howard was a part of the inconsistent Texans offensive line, seeing action at left guard (402 snaps), right guard (132 snaps), and right tackle (628 snaps). In 2025, he ranked in the 24th percentile in pass block win rate and the 31st percentile in run block win rate at tackle last year, according to ESPN.
The year before? The results weren’t much better.
At this stage, Howard’s biggest key is his availability (he’s played in 16 games the last two years) and versatility (seeing snaps at both guard and tackle). He’s just been below average when on the field over the past few seasons.
Who won the Tytus Howard trade?
At the time, this one was a bit of a headscratcher from the Browns. They needed offensive line depth, but I’m not sure Howard was the answer.
Not only are they taking on the $17.5 million he’s owed in 2025, but they also gave him a two-year, $45 million extension on top of that. That’s quite a lot of money for a player who hasn’t been that good over the past few seasons.
The Texans offensive line hasn’t been great, and they were willing to part ways with Howard in need of better blockers. To get a fifth-round pick in return is a solid deal for them.
The Browns need bodies and they have ample draft capital, so the loss of a fifth-rounder doesn’t hurt them too bad. But still, this trade is a questionable one, given the player they’re acquiring.
Who did the Texans select with the pick from the Tytus Howard trade?
We will update when the pick is made.
