Where will Houston Texans rookie offensive lineman Keylan Ruteldge line up in 2026?
Every position seems to be up for grabs on the interior side of the line, including starting the year on the bench.
It’s still early in the stages of OTAs, but Ruteldge, the Texans’ first-round pick, saw reps at left guard with the first-team offense on Wednesday. Veteran Evan Brown mostly saw reps at center and was signed the offseason to fight for first-team reps at center with Jake Andrews.
That’s also one of the key position battles ESPN’s Ben Solak is watching entering the year. Even with Brown in the fold, the conversation seems to be on Rutledge and Andrews duking it out for first-team reps.
Solak ranked it the No. 1 battle to watch throughout training camp.
“The Texans made one of the more surprising picks in the first round when they snagged Rutledge out of Georgia Tech,” Soalk wrote. “He was considered a fringe first-rounder, but critically, he played all of his college snaps at right guard. That spot is owned in Houston by the recently extended Ed Ingram, and the left guard spot will likely go to free agent addition Wyatt Teller.
“Rutledge was cross-training at center during the predraft process, but for the Texans to get immediate play out of their first-round pick, he needs to beat out an incumbent starter in Andrews. Kicking to center can be an overwhelming task, and Rutledge might not be ready by Week 1.”
If everything goes according to plan, the Texans will have four new starting linemen protecting C.J. Stroud. Tytus Howard was shipped off to Cleveland last offseason in exchange for a late-round pick. Teller and former Indianapolis Colts starting right tackle Braden Smith signed multi-year deals, so the duo should see first-team reps if they’re healthy. Aireontae Ersery did a good enough job as a rookie to prove he’s locked down the left tackle spot for next season.
So that leaves Rutledge in a battle with Andrews and Brown for center reps. If he wins the job, he’ll have earned his right to start, but the Texans have always been about putting the best five players out there to keep the team in tact.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: ESPN names Texans’ center the top position battle to watch during training camp
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
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By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
