Houston Texans Add Important Depth Up Front With Claim Of Jake Andrews
The Houston Texans are still building their offensive line going into the 2025 season, this time adding a familiar name to an increasing roster of reinforcements. The team claimed second-year offensive lineman Jake Andrews off waivers from the New England Patriots on Tuesday. A fourth-round draft choice in 2023, Andrews is young, talented, and has ties to the Texans’ present coaching staff. The pickup fits into a larger trend as Houston shores up its trenches after a season of wholesale change and front-of-the-line injuries.
The Texans have been among the more active teams this offseason at revamping the offensive line. With the release or loss of some of their vets and just two of the team’s top-five snap-takers along the line returning, backups were a foregone conclusion. Andrews was added to a 90-man roster managed by General Manager Nick Caserio, who has strong ties to the front office of the Patriots. His signing is low-risk but has the potential to reward if he grows with a familiar voice on the coaching staff in Houston.
Texans’ Offense Line Shuffle Brings Familiar Names
The Texans’ acquisition of Andrews is part of a larger transformation of their offensive line unit. With Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs, the lone returnees from last season’s top core, the front office has been preaching competition and depth heading into camp. That translates to bringing in players with New England roots or previous connections to the current coaching staff. A trend consistent with Caserio’s model since arriving in Houston. Andrews, a Troy product and former All-Sun Belt pick, is the ideal candidate for that.
One of the key connections is that of Offensive Line Coach Cole Popovich, an old college coach of Andrews with whom he reunites in Houston. That will hopefully speed the learning curve for Andrews in Houston’s scheme as he enters the season recovering from injury. With two inside positions on the line up for grabs, Andrews will have a realistic shot at making a camp roster during camp. His experience in multiple positions and solid special teams résumé only enhance his prospects.
Jake Andrews: A Comeback Career
Andrews was selected by the Patriots with the 107th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft following a standout college career at Troy. He was lauded for his toughness, football IQ, and strength. These traits led to First-Team All-Sun Belt honors as a redshirt senior. Though not the most athletic lineman from his draft class, he made up for it with positional versatility and technical proficiency, playing spots across the interior during his time at college.
As a first-year player with New England, Andrews appeared in 16 games, including as a starter at left guard. He played 70 snaps offensively and participated on 50 special teams, being valuable as a depth presence. Sadly, his momentum was derailed by a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve for the 2024 season. Now healthy and with a system that already has his best qualities in place, he’ll look to rekindle his career in a new city with a familiar coaching staff.
Final Thoughts
The Texans’ addition of Andrews is more than a superficial depth signing—it is a value signing with potential. With high-profile openings on the offensive line and a coaching staff cognizant of his skillset, Andrews has the tools to settle into an actual role. Healthy, he can become a consistent interior lineman. For Houston, the signing is a low-risk, high-reward gamble.
