The Houston Texans traded for a stalwart along the New England Patriots offensive line in Marcus Cannon.
Cannon had started 69 of 115 games for the Patriots from 2011-19. It would only make sense that new Texans general manager Nick Caserio, the Patriots’ former director of player personnel, would want to bring a guy he is familiar with to Houston.
What doesn’t yet make sense is where the former 2011 fifth-round pick from TCU will be playing along the Texans’ offensive line.
When asked on March 29 in a Zoom meeting with Houston media which position he prefers more, tackle or guard, Cannon was rather candid.
“There’s not one position — well, that would be lying. I like playing right tackle,” Cannon said. “That was fun. I got into a really good rhythm.”
From 2015-19, Cannon played 62 games at right tackle for the Patriots, starting in 58 of them.
If Cannon does win the right tackle job, it leaves the question of what to do with incumbent Tytus Howard, the Texans’ 2019 first-round pick from Alabama State. Houston could kick Howard inside at a guard spot, as he was playing guard in his rookie preseason.
Cannon similarly has guard experience.
Said Cannon: “I like playing guard, on the right side playing guard. I don’t remember what year it is but I played versus the Saints one year when Dan Connolly went down, and that was fun. I’ve played the left side too, but I don’t really have a super favorite position. I’m just happy to be out there. I’ll play any position they want me to play. I’ll put in the time to get as good as I can at whatever position it is and whatever it is, I’m ready to play. I’m just happy to be a Texan.”
Left tackle is essentially manned by two-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil. The other four starting spots are up for grabs.