NFL Offensive Line Trades
Texans Trade Offensive Lineman Jarrett Patterson to 49ers and Acquire Nathan Thomas from Cowboys
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Key Points
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Patterson is a 26-year-old who was selected by the Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft in the sixth round, adding age and experience to the 49ers’ interior line options.
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Patterson posted a zero-sack season last year and brings 21 career starts, underscoring his veteran depth for San Francisco.
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Nate Thomas, the Cowboys’ seventh-round pick in 2025, is a 6’5”, 330-pound tackle who appeared in all 17 Dallas games in 2025 and started four; he previously started 13 games at left tackle for Louisiana in 2024.
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Houston sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to Dallas to land Thomas and will receive another 2027 seventh-round pick in return for Patterson, effectively shuffling the Texans’ O-line depth with an eye toward roster cuts.
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San Francisco’s season opener is expected to feature a showdown with the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, a game that underscores the 49ers’ goal of fortifying the line against stout fronts early in the season.
The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their interior offensive line by trading for Houston Texans guard-center Jarrett Patterson, a 2023 sixth-round pick who appeared in 17 games last season with five starts. CBS Sports reported the move comes as San Francisco prepares for Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, Houston swapped Patterson for Dallas Cowboys tackle Nathan Thomas in a separate deal, sending and receiving a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Patterson, 26, brings 21 career starts and allowed zero sacks last season, providing the 49ers with veteran depth and flexibility across the interior line. Clutch Points noted the 49ers made the move to prepare for tough defensive fronts, particularly the Rams' strengthened defensive line. Thomas, a 6'5", 330-pound tackle from Louisiana, played all 17 Cowboys games in 2025 with four starts and gives Houston added depth at tackle.
49ers Add Veteran Depth for Rams Showdown
San Francisco's offensive line faces a critical test in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Heavy reported the 49ers targeted Patterson specifically to strengthen interior blocking after the Rams signed Aaron Donald, the elite defensive tackle. Patterson's ability to play both center and guard gives the 49ers flexibility to adjust protection schemes against Donald's powerful presence.
Patterson's zero-sack season last year demonstrates his reliability in pass protection. His 21 career starts provide San Francisco with experienced depth behind starters. The trade signals the 49ers' commitment to fortifying the line against the league's most formidable interior defensive threats.
Houston Shuffles Depth with Twin O-Line Trades
The Texans executed a two-part strategy to reshape their offensive line depth. Heavy explained that Houston sent Patterson to San Francisco while acquiring Nathan Thomas from Dallas in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick swap. Both teams effectively traded seventh-round picks, allowing Houston to pivot its interior line composition ahead of final roster cuts.
Thomas brings immediate experience, having played in all 17 Cowboys games with four starts. The Louisiana product started 13 games at left tackle during his college career. His addition gives the Texans tackle depth while losing Patterson's interior versatility, reshuffling Houston's offensive line priorities as the roster takes final form.
Patterson's Versatility Addresses 49ers Interior Gaps
Patterson's unique ability to play both center and guard positions provides San Francisco with rare flexibility in protection schemes. Interior versatility allows the 49ers to adjust blocking assignments based on defensive formations. Clutch Points noted this adaptability becomes crucial when facing dominant interior threats like Aaron Donald.
The 26-year-old's reliable pass protection record—zero sacks allowed last season—suggests he can contribute immediately without a learning curve. San Francisco's coaching staff can deploy him across multiple positions to find the best matchups. This flexibility transforms Patterson from a backup into a strategic asset for the 49ers' entire line.
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