Jake Andrews

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Above-replacement production at the center salary tier earns Jake Andrews a C+ Contract Value Index. At $1.16M AAV on a four-year rookie scale deal, Andrews represents efficient cap deployment for a depth-to-potential-starter caliber player, though his 2025 season production—16 games with minimal counting stats—underscores why the Texans are actively exploring upgrades at the position. The center market values proven snap exchange and communication, areas where Andrews has drawn media scrutiny despite his playoff-level participation; his contract sits comfortably below market rate for proven starters, a positioning that reflects both his second-year status and organizational caution. At 26 years old on the back half of his rookie deal, Andrews sits at a critical juncture where performance trajectory will determine whether he commands a second contract or transitions to depth-only utility. The C+ CVI grade acknowledges the value efficiency of the deal itself, but the mediaFraming is unambiguous: Andrews is penciled in as a vulnerable depth piece competing for his roster spot in a Houston offense undergoing active roster flux, with the team's recent signings and reported willingness to move on from the incumbent starter suggesting his path to consistent playing time remains uncertain and contingent on exceptional performance in the offseason competition.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Jake's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Jake Andrews has quietly established himself as a reliable anchor at center for Houston, entering his third NFL season with 31 career games of developmental experience. At just 26, Andrews profiles as a mid-tier starter with legitimate upside, earning a solid B grade that reflects consistent availability and improving technique. He's not yet an elite interior presence, but the foundation is encouraging for a young lineman still refining his craft. His most compelling attribute this season is his availability — Andrews has logged a 98.2 snap percentage, well above the NFL average of 72.0, demonstrating the durability and trust that offensive coordinators prize in a center. That kind of reliability mirrors what teams get from established veterans like Jason Kelce in his prime years — a guy who simply shows up every snap. The concern, however, is that raw availability doesn't yet tell the full story; Andrews must convert that on-field time into more dominant run-blocking and sharper protection calls at the second level. Looking ahead, Andrews has the age, experience curve, and snap-count trust to push toward a B-plus or A-minus ceiling within the next two seasons. If Houston's offensive line infrastructure continues developing around him, he could emerge as one of the better young centers in the AFC South. The next step is translating durability into genuine dominance — that jump is what separates a dependable starter from a Pro Bowl-caliber anchor.

How Jake Compares at the Position

Jake Andrews ranks 5th of 71 graded centers by performance. That slots Jake between Ted Karras (B+) just ahead and Ethan Pocic (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

The media tone on Jake Andrews pencils out to a D- sentiment grade after weighing recent storylines. The narrative around the second-year center is decidedly cautious and unsettled, driven primarily by Houston's acquisition of Keylan Rutledge—a move that has publicly positioned Andrews as expendable on a roster in active upgrade mode. Media outlets have not shied away from identifying him as a vulnerable depth piece heading into the draft, a designation rooted in tangible concerns: snap-exchange problems with C.J. Stroud that have drawn scrutiny to his technical execution, despite his playoff performance anchoring the offensive line. His on-field production has not helped his case—the performance grade reflects serious shortcomings that align with the media's cautious framing—though there is grudging acknowledgment that he showed up in the postseason when it mattered most. The Texans' recent flurry of roster moves, including signings at multiple positions, underscores that the organization is not standing pat, which only intensifies the perception that Andrews is on the hot seat. Right now, the narrative is one of genuine instability: his roster spot is in question, his reliability at the center position remains under a cloud, and his path forward hinges entirely on whether the Texans decide to stick with him or commit resources to a more proven alternative.