My Texans Draft Wish List

My Texans Wish List

As I’ve stated before, I think mock drafts are a waste of time and space. Why people try is beyond me.

Instead I like to read scouting reports and player rankings. My main source is Pro Football Weekly’s website and subscription. I also try to get different opinions for various sources.

Instead of trying to project who is going where and who will be available as the Houston Texans pick 15th, I’d like to create a wish list based on team needs.

Team Needs
The defense is the unit that needs the most shoring up. The Texans added DE Antonio Smith, DT Shaun Cody and LB Cato Jones in free agency. Smith will start right away. If Cody makes the team he will be part of the DT rotation. Jones will compete for the starting job on the weak side with Xavier Adibi.

Of the free agents, I think only Smith will make immediate contributions. I have my doubts of Cody making the team.

The Texans need another playmaker or two on defense. This draft class seems to be deep at the outside linebacker position. A safety for either depth or as a starter also appears to be a need.

On offense, the Texans would like to pick up running back in the middle rounds to relieve Steve Slaton. Ideally they would like a back equipped to fit in the zone blocking scheme of offensive line coach Alex Gibbs.

They will probably look to add to the offensive line for depth. The starters went all sixteen games as a unit. Rookie Duane Brown rotated with veteran Ephiram Salaam at the left tackle spot. Salaam has since been released.

My Wish List for Defense
The Texans have invested three first round picks on the defensive line. Travis Johnson, Mario Williams and Amobi Okeye are all starters and first rounders. Only Williams has lived up to expectations. Would the Texans invest one more pick on the line? Maybe. Signing Antonio Smith changed the dynamics of the draft to some degree. They might like to pick up a pass rush specialist in the draft as they plan to move Smith to tackle on passing downs.

With the Texans set at ends, if they invest a first round pick on the line it will more than likely be at defensive tackle.

First on my wish list for DT is B.J. Raji. I doubt that he will be around at 15. Raji is described as very strong and well fitted for the 3-4 nose or an anchor for a 4-3. He has the ability to hold up blockers to free up teammates. One PFW report says he will more than likely be a two down player in the NFL. I’m not sure how the scout can say that and yet he grades out as a first round talent. I think he will be an every down player. While I think he would be great for the Texans, I doubt he’s available when they pick.

If he’s sitting there when at the second round, I can see the Texans taking Peria Jerry. He grades out as first round talent but is projected in the 1st or 2nd round. He is explosive off the line and can move side to side quickly. He can also shed blockers and is a good at tackling at point of attack and outside the tackle area. The knocks on him are his strength and lack of ability to drive blockers into the backfield. Also he will be a 25 year old rookie. I think he could be a decent run stopper for the Texans up the middle.

I think another player draft worthy at the second round is Robert Ayers. He probably doesn’t make it that far though. He can play left end or 3-4 linebacker. He could be the pass rush specialist the Texans are looking for. With Smith in the middle, Ayers can line up at end on passing downs.

Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech is rated as a one dimensional player. He seems to only like playing the pass and not the run. He grades as a 2nd or 3rd round talent but is projected going in 1st or 2nd by PFW. If the Texans haven’t picked up that pass rush specialist and he’s still there in 3rd round or later, I can see them considering Johnson.

Adam Curry is probably the best player in the draft. He won’t be there. A fan can dream though.

More realistically, Brian Cushing or Clay Matthews fit the bill of what the Texans need on the strong side. My guess is that the Texans take Matthews with the first pick if he’s available. I’d be happy with either one starting on the strong side.

Depend on who you read, there are no safeties worth a first round pick. PFW ranks Louis Delmas as the highest safety. He grades out as a 2nd or 3rd round talent but projects as a 2nd rounder. For once I agree with a mock draft as they have the Texans taking him in the second. He’s a fierce hitter and tackler who launches himself at a player. His knocks are he can be to aggressive and fall for the play-action. Also because of the way he throws himself around there is some question about his durability. If he’s there in the second, I hope the Texans pick him up.

I don’t like what I’ve read about Patrick Chung. I hope the Texans don’t either.

Next safety on my wish list is Rashad Johnson. He looks to go in the 2nd or 3rd round. Depending on whom they’ve drafted, if they still need a safety and he’s there in the 3rd, Johnson looks like he may be a value pick and a starter for the Texans. Only knocks on him is that he isn’t an explosive hitter and he plays at 185 lbs. He is a ball hawk and has range to play free safety. I’d definitely like him in the middle rounds.


On the Other Side of the Ball
There is not much need offensively. The only glaring need is a back up running back for Steve Slaton. The Texans are confident they can find one in the middle to late rounds.

Despite the mock drafts that have the Texans taking Beanie Wells or Keyshawn Moreno, I think the only intriguing early draft running back for the Texans is Donald Brown. Apparently he has all the tools to run against the grain and misdirection to fit the Texans zone blocking. PFW has him ranked 3rd behind Wells and Moreno. I doubt he falls to the Texans in the 2nd round but if he’s there I think he’s worth the pick.

The only 1st round offensive player I’d consider is Michael Crabtree. There is the chance he could fall to the Texans. With the need at linebacker and defense it’s unlikely they take him. However, it’s worth considering due to his skills and teaming him with All-Universe WR Andre Johnson. Imagine the headache that would create for defenses.

Other than that, I really don’t have much of a wish list for offense. Offensive line depth is a need and will probably be addressed in later rounds.

Who Not To Consider
I’ve seen mock drafts all over the place for the Texans. They have the Texans selecting Vontae Davis, Clay Matthews, Percy Harvin, Jeremy Maclin, Keyshawn Moreno, Mark Sanchez and Beanie Wells.

Only the Matthews picks are creditable. The others have no clue or don’t put much thought into their drafts.

Take those selecting Vontae Davis, for example. I can give you three reasons why they won’t select Davis: Jacques Reeves, Fred Bennett and Dunta Robinson. The Texans think they have three quality corners. If they believe that then I don’t see them selecting a 1st round corner and having to pay him fulltime money for part time play. There is no way Reeves and Robinson come off the field for Davis to start. The second reason is Davis’s alleged prima donna status. There are concerns his attitude and appetite for football isn’t all that high. His brother Vernon Davis had the same concerns. Then Mike Singletary put his foot up Davis’s ass. He has since straightened out. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak can be fierce but it’s not his style to consistently do it to put a player like Vontae Davis on the straight and narrow.

As for running back, the same line of reasoning follows as far as pay. Steve Slaton earned the starting job last year and he’ll remain the starter this season. Why would they select Moreno or Wells, pay them 1st round money and only be part time and back up Slaton.

Of course, a trade could happen. The Texans aren’t averse to trading 1st round picks in order accomplish what they want. They traded down last year to acquire Duane Brown. They swapped picks with Atlanta in the Matt Schaub trade. So a draft day deal isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

That’s my Texans Draft Day wish list. It’s about as close to a mock draft as I’ll get. Unlike mock drafts, I try to look at the various angles like salary implications and depth chart. Also I try to consider the players (Crabtree, Raji) that could throw their board off and they decide to change for whatever reason. Also I see no point in going past 3rd round selections. As the draft moves on, anything can happen and every teams needs changes drastically.

I’m sure draftniks have as much fun putting their mocks together as I had putting my wish list together. I just think it makes more sense to look at the team needs and try to create a draft board instead.