JAXwithanX
Waterboy
Houston Texans
Wide receiver: Andre Johnson's numbers dropped last year but his blend of size, speed and athletic ability makes him an excellent No. 1. The problem is Corey Bradford and Jabar Gaffney both left through free agency, so Houston doesn't have a No. 2 to complement him. While recently signed Kevin Walter should contribute on special teams and is an adequate sub-package possession receiver, he lacks the burst and speed of an every-down receiver. With Johnson frequently drawing double coverage and stretching the field, the Texans need a receiver who can get open underneath and produce after the catch.
Offensive tackle: This will be a need even if Chester Pitts doesn't move to guard, which is a real possibility. Todd Wade is a powerful drive blocker when he is healthy, but he has never shown great lateral mobility in pass protection and is coming off a season-ending knee injury. While Pitts has the potential to develop into a quality starting right tackle or guard, he isn't quite quick enough to hold up working against premier edge rushers, making him a bad fit for the left side. Ideally, Houston drafts a tackle who can push for immediate playing time on the left side, allowing the Texans to move Pitts.
Offensive guard: Houston's signing of Mike Flanagan allows Steve McKinney to move from center to guard where he is expected to start on the left side, but it's unclear who will start opposite him. Milford Brown signed with Arizona, Fred Weary has been inconsistent at best and Zach Wiegert is on the downside of his career. In addition, the 32-year-old Flanagan has had some problems staying healthy. If he misses substantial time with an injury, the Texans will likely move McKinney back inside, which would provide quality depth at guard. Houston needs an offensive guard who can create seams as a run blocker and, more importantly, hold his own in pass protection. One option the Texans do have is moving Pitts from tackle to guard where he is a better fit, so they may fill this need by drafting a left tackle and moving Pitts to guard. If Pitts moves, this won't be as significant a need, though adding more depth would be wise.
Dunta Robinson
Robinson
Cornerback: Dunta Robinson and Phillip Buchanon form a talented starting tandem, but Buchanon is coming off a season-ending ankle injury and there isn't great depth here. While DeMarcus Faggins is quick and has good ball skills, he takes too many chances and has problems matching up with bigger receivers. Houston needs to add a corner who has the cover skills to push Faggins for the nickel job and the size to step into the starting lineup should either Buchanon or Robinson miss substantial time with an injury.
Middle linebacker: Houston did well to sign Sam Cowart, who is expected to start. Cowart is a sound tackler who rarely gets caught out of position. Unfortunately, he is on the downside of his career and has had some problems staying healthy. That's a concern because DaShon Polk is undersized and a better fit for the outside in the 4-3 scheme the Texans are implementing. It also doesn't help that Morlon Greenwood is expected to move outside and Kailee Wong is coming off a season-ending knee injury. The Texans need to improve the depth behind Cowart and start grooming his replacement.
Other possibilities: Running back and safety.
Wide receiver: Andre Johnson's numbers dropped last year but his blend of size, speed and athletic ability makes him an excellent No. 1. The problem is Corey Bradford and Jabar Gaffney both left through free agency, so Houston doesn't have a No. 2 to complement him. While recently signed Kevin Walter should contribute on special teams and is an adequate sub-package possession receiver, he lacks the burst and speed of an every-down receiver. With Johnson frequently drawing double coverage and stretching the field, the Texans need a receiver who can get open underneath and produce after the catch.
Offensive tackle: This will be a need even if Chester Pitts doesn't move to guard, which is a real possibility. Todd Wade is a powerful drive blocker when he is healthy, but he has never shown great lateral mobility in pass protection and is coming off a season-ending knee injury. While Pitts has the potential to develop into a quality starting right tackle or guard, he isn't quite quick enough to hold up working against premier edge rushers, making him a bad fit for the left side. Ideally, Houston drafts a tackle who can push for immediate playing time on the left side, allowing the Texans to move Pitts.
Offensive guard: Houston's signing of Mike Flanagan allows Steve McKinney to move from center to guard where he is expected to start on the left side, but it's unclear who will start opposite him. Milford Brown signed with Arizona, Fred Weary has been inconsistent at best and Zach Wiegert is on the downside of his career. In addition, the 32-year-old Flanagan has had some problems staying healthy. If he misses substantial time with an injury, the Texans will likely move McKinney back inside, which would provide quality depth at guard. Houston needs an offensive guard who can create seams as a run blocker and, more importantly, hold his own in pass protection. One option the Texans do have is moving Pitts from tackle to guard where he is a better fit, so they may fill this need by drafting a left tackle and moving Pitts to guard. If Pitts moves, this won't be as significant a need, though adding more depth would be wise.
Dunta Robinson
Robinson
Cornerback: Dunta Robinson and Phillip Buchanon form a talented starting tandem, but Buchanon is coming off a season-ending ankle injury and there isn't great depth here. While DeMarcus Faggins is quick and has good ball skills, he takes too many chances and has problems matching up with bigger receivers. Houston needs to add a corner who has the cover skills to push Faggins for the nickel job and the size to step into the starting lineup should either Buchanon or Robinson miss substantial time with an injury.
Middle linebacker: Houston did well to sign Sam Cowart, who is expected to start. Cowart is a sound tackler who rarely gets caught out of position. Unfortunately, he is on the downside of his career and has had some problems staying healthy. That's a concern because DaShon Polk is undersized and a better fit for the outside in the 4-3 scheme the Texans are implementing. It also doesn't help that Morlon Greenwood is expected to move outside and Kailee Wong is coming off a season-ending knee injury. The Texans need to improve the depth behind Cowart and start grooming his replacement.
Other possibilities: Running back and safety.
