Battle Red Blog Groupthink: So Long Laremy Tunsil

The Houston Texans have shipped off Laremy Tunsil for a slew of draft picks and the internet duly went into chaos. Good Twitter/X was working without a hitch yesterday....

The subsequent fallout and trade evaluation will take time, but I quickly asked the Battle Red Blog writers to give their immediate thoughts. And, boy did they run the spectrum of thoughts.

The Texans have officially traded Laremy Tunsil and a fourth rounder for a third this year plus a second and fourth next year. What are your immediate thoughts?

Joe:

First thoughts are that this is a complete disaster. We just traded away one of the best left tackles, if not the best left tackle in the country and our best player on offense for 3 draft picks. There’s now a massive, glaring hole at LT where there hasn’t been since 2019, adding to the holes that already exist at LG and RG. The only positive to this is the draft compensation (which is fairly mediocre compensation, to be honest) and the pile of money in cap space Caserio just created. This could be part of another move soon to be made by Caserio, but I sincerely doubt he’s going to find a better LT anywhere. Maybe they think they can move Tytus Howard to LT or they really really believe in Blake Fisher, but if not, then there’s a big move in free agency or the draft that Houston is now forcing themselves to make.

Vballretired:

I actually like it. I wrote an article earlier suggesting getting a second for him. They essentially get a second and a third. Granted, the huge key is what they do with the cap savings and how they rebuild the offensive line. Still, Tunsil was never a swarm guy and this line was never going to be physical with him here. I know I’m in the minority on this one but I think it’s addition by subtraction.

L4blitzer:

I thought it more likely Houston would restructure Tunsil’s contract, but didn’t rule out the possibility of trading him. The draft compensation...not bad, but not great (guess Washington didn’t consult with BO’B before making this deal, otherwise we might have gotten those 1st round picks back). This will save Houston a lot of cap room over the next two seasons. Important as the inevitable extensions for Stingley Jr., Anderson Jr. and Stroud start coming due. HOWEVER, an already suspect line just lost its best pass blocker. Say what you will about Tunsil, but since 2019, Houston hasn’t worried too much about the blind side for whichever QB is playing. Now...perhaps Houston will finally let Howard stay at Tackle, which is a better fit for him vs. Guard. Still, if O-line wasn’t the #1 priority this off-season, it is Priority 1, 2, 3, 4 to the X power now. Caserio has delivered on some gambles before, but you really hope he didn’t miscalculate this time.

Kenneth L.

Well, that was an eventful day! I’m begrudgingly upset about this year’s draft haul; there was not enough 2025 draft capital. Especially given the fact that Houston gave away a fourth round pick. Caserio has been elite with his fourth round picks: TE Cade Stover, DE Dylan Horton, and RB Dameon Pierce all have been previous fourth rounders and all have been immediately productive. To not get a second this year is disappointing in a top-heavy class.

I agree with l4blitzer that the upcoming extensions weigh heavily on this deal. Stingley very well may get a new contract this offseason instead of next.

What is extremely apparent is that the Texans now MUST address the offensive line in the draft. Throw out my mock draft with wide receiver going first. Houston will need to select two lineman in their first three picks. The Texans created a need where they already had one and the money they saved is as important to the success of the franchise long term than anything right now. Protect C.J. Stroud at all costs.