NFL Draft 2015: Houston Texans Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
Year one under head coach Bill O’Brien was a pleasant surprise for the Houston Texans. A successful 2015 NFL Draft could have the Texans challenging the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
For more on the Texans’ remaining needs and general outlook on the draft, I got together with Toro Times editor Randy Gurzi. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
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1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
"The Houston Texans looked to be in rough shape before free agency as they cut receiver Andre Johnson and center Chris Myers. It also looked bleak to bring back cornerback Kareem Jackson. However, the team was able to bring Jackson back as well as right tackle Derek Newton and quarterback Ryan Mallett.As far as outside free agents they were able to add solid depth at receiver with Cecil Shorts III and brought in Brian Hoyer to compete at quarterback. Two defensive players, Rahim Moore at safety to replace the departed Kendrick Lewis and Vince Wilfork, the veteran nose tackle.These moves made depth a lot less of an issue. The team also managed to make any singular position a must-have with their first round selection."
2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"The top need in my opinion is at the tight end position after seeing last years starter Garrett Graham haul in an unimpressive 18 catches on the year. Ryan Griffen got ten catches and rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz managed four catches despite starting eight games.The second biggest need to me is an inside linebacker able to make plays. Justin Tuggle looks to be a potential stud but it is almost impossible to trust Brian Cushing to stay healthy.The third is a toss up between receiver and outside linebacker. If, and it’s a big if, Jadeveon Clowney is healthy then receiver is the no-brainer pick here. But without Clowney, the receiver spot looks great because at least they have a guy who hauled in over 1,000 yards last year in DeAndre Hopkins. Mainly because of Hopkins play and Clowney’s health I would pick the edge rusher as the biggest need after no one besides defensive end J.J. Watt provided much pass rushing.Although I pick these three as the top needs, I still feel the team may go receiver first overall considering the lack of quality at interior linebacker and tight end in the draft. They also are probably afraid to take more outside linebackers in the first round after already taking Whitney Mercilus in 2012 and Clowney in 2014."
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"I have been a huge fan of Jaelen Strong, the receiver out of Arizona State. He is a tall receiver with great hands and makes clutch plays. He could be a viable first round option.Denzel Perryman is a tackling machine at linebacker for Miami. He would be an ideal fit at inside backer for Houston despite being slightly undersized for his position.Late round players I like that could be steals are Georgia’s Ray Drew, a 6’4″ 280 pound defensive end who was always in the center of the action on the line for the dogs. UCF linebacker Terrance Plummer is another guy I like for the late rounds. He is a playmaker with a nose for the ball and while he may need to season for a year or two, he would be an immediate special teams ace."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"Finding at least one quality starter for each side of the ball, even if that person isn’t starting from day one. Just knowing they have some depth and are building for a future would be positive. Also finding guys who are smart players that can perform on special teams is a must."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"The two players I mentioned earlier would be a great round six and seven grab for the Texans. I would love to see someone like Drew who could blossom into a starter in their 3-4 base defense as well as a solid tackler like Plummer who could provide solid depth while eventually may show the ability to start one day."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft