In my opinion, we've got to upgrade the DL in the off season. It's got to be the #1 priority. Since rookie DL tend to take a couple of years to develop (with the exception of the occasional Wilfork type of player), I fully expect the Texans to sign one through FA. There are several solid DT's that will enter FA this year. Detroit has a couple that peek my interest.
Shaun Rogers (UFA) 6'4" 345lbs. 25 y/o with 4 years experience & he went to college at UT. I wonder if he'd like to come back to Texas?
Marcus Bell (UFA) 6'2" 326lbs. 25 y/o with 3 years of experience, & he's Rogers's backup.
A couple of other solid UFA's are:
Jason Ferguson (Jets) 6'3" 305lbs. He's 30 y/o, but seems to be getting better with time.
Pat Williams (Bills) 6'3" 317lbs. At 32 y/o, he's a bit long in the tooth, but he's still racking up the tackles (81 total tackles last year).
Getting Rogers would give us the flexibility to move Payne into Walker's spot, which would help Payne's knee to avoid some of the congestion in the middle. Just like the Texans made Robaire & Wade their top FA priorities, I'd put Rogers up there as well. Getting him would give us 3 starting DL 29 y/o & younger (Payne (29), Robaire (27), Rogers (25) ). That's a unit that could play together for a few years.
Another benefit that I see in moving Payne into Walker's spot, is that he's so strong, he demands the attention of a double team. That would automatically take some of the pass protection off of Babin & give him more opportunities to sack/pressure the QB.
As for what position I'd take with my 1st pick in the draft, I'd have to go with the BPA at the TE, LB, CB, RB, & FS positions. I would not trade away (or down) a 1st day pick, unless it brought me more picks. We need to build depth & add younger players to eventually replace our aging veterans. We can make moves for impact players next year.
I believe we're set at the QB, FB, WR, & for the most part, OL positions. We should be looking for Wiegert's replacement & possibly, McKinney's in the later rounds.