Top Vikings Free Agent Signs with Texans
Earlier this week, ESPN called Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Cam Robinson the best free agent left on the board.
Top Vikings Free Agent Signs with Texans
On Wednesday, cornerback Rasul Douglas became the top commodity in free agency because Robinson signed with the Houston Texans.
It’s the AFC South for Robinson, a 29-year-old offensive tackle.
It’s Houston after All
Fox Sports‘ Jordan Schultz tweeted, “Source: Free agent OT Cam Robinson is signing with the Texans. Robinson started all 17 games last season and will help stabilize the line for CJ Stroud.”
Many believed Robinson would land with the New England Patriots, a team that desperately needs offensive tackle assistance, but Houston won the Robinson sweepstakes about a week after trading longtime OT Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders.
Schultz added, “Cam Robinson is going to the Texans on a 1-year deal worth up to $14.5M, per sources. He’s the new blindside protector for CJ Stroud.”
The move is also great for Minnesota, as it is now more likely to receive an additional compensatory draft pick in 2026. As it stands, the Vikings will already receive a 3rd-Rounder in 2026 due to Sam Darnold’s free-agent exit. Robinson to Houston for $14.5 million helps the formula.
The Fit in Houston
Houston’s offensive line, assuming no starters are pulled out of the 2025 NFL Draft, will look like this:
LT: Cam Robinson
LG: Laken Tomlinson
C: Jarrett Patterson
RG: Juice Scruggs
RT: Tytus Howard
Minnesota traded offensive guard Ed Ingram to the Texans about a week ago, and he’ll compete for a starter’s job with Tomlinson.
Houston’s offensive line ranked dead last in the NFL in 2024, according to Pro Football Network. PFN explained after the season wrapped up: “It wasn’t a great season for the Houston Texans’ offense, and the OL’s play is a big reason why. There weren’t any truly disastrous games, but Houston had seven games graded as a D+ or worse and 11 with a C- or worse.”
“It’s hard to perform well consistently on offense with that level of line play.”
Robinson in Minnesota
Last October, Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL at the Los Angeles Rams at a time when Minnesota was straight cruising. Head coach Kevin O’Connell could’ve tabbed David Quessenberry or Walter Rouse for starter’s duty, but Minnesota traded a conditional 5th-Round pick for Robinson instead.
At the time of the trade for Robinson, Minnesota considered itself a Super Bowl contender, and while some Vikings fans decried the deal as too short-term, Robinson did help lock down quarterback Sam Darnold’s blindside for half a season.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently signed OT Justin Skule in free agency, eliminating the possibility of a Robinson reunion, which was a long shot in the first place.
The New Texan’s History in the NFL
The Jaguars plucked Robinson from Round 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft — the same day that Minnesota drafted running back Dalvin Cook — and he stayed in Jacksonville for 7.5 seasons, starting 91 games with the franchise.
Robinson filled in decently for the Vikings following the trade, undergoing some ups and downs. He assuredly wasn’t as proficient as Darrisaw but represented an upgrade over some left tackles that Vikings fans have experienced over the years. All told, Robinson started 10 games in purple.
Here’s Robinson’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2024: 64.7
- 2023: 65.4
- 2022: 67.2
- 2021: 67.4
- 2020: 61.7
- 2019: 54.8
- 2018: 63.4
- 2017: 52.4
Robinson is akin to Vikings guard and free agent Dalton Risner, with his skill set more concentrated on pass protection and lagging a bit in run-blocking.
Some fans disparaged the Robinson trade as too expensive and shortsighted for an LT “rental,” though most generally accepted the deal as wise at the time. After all, having Robinson signed by a different team in 2025 free agency would involve Minnesota grabbing a compensatory selection. That is firmly in play.
Robinson will turn 30 in the fall.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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