Team Needs: Houston Texans

Gridiron Experts is randomly picking NFL teams to evaluate their off-season acquisitions. We are predicting their game plan heading into the NFL Draft, using last year’s stats as a guide for improvement.


The Houston Texans were supposed to make their playoff debut in 2008. The team had made huge strides in the last few seasons, establishing an identity as a young, talented team that no one should take lightly. Unfortunately the season started off on the wrong foot, after a loss to the Steelers, and hurricane Ike hitting Reliant Stadium hard, the Texans were 0-4 before they could blink. Despite the bad start, the Texans finished the season 8-8, winning 5 of their last 6 games, an accomplishment that Houston should use as motivation.


Free agency was short and sweet for the Texans, signing DE Antonio Smith to a 5 year $35 million dollar deal. The Texans now have an excellent compliment to Mario Williams, and should create hell for opposing quarterbacks. As of now the Texans haven’t locked up their franchise player Dunta Robinson, or restricted player Owen Daniels, but deals are in the works.



Last season the Texans offense ranked high in many categories, including total passing yards per game. Their defense was banged up all season, resulting in many rookies stepping up into starting roles. With the addition of Antonio Smith, and with Dunta Robinson back healthy, the Texans defense should be able to bail out their offense more often, avoiding the countless shootouts they had in ’08. Gridiron Experts can see Houston adding another corner or safety in the first round, but the addition of a power running back might be the missing link to help grind out games in the second half. At pick 15, the Texans are in a perfect position to sit and wait. With CB’s like Malcolm Jenkins or Vonte Davis falling to them, draft day might be an easy one for the Texans. Although Ohio State’s RB Chris “Beanie” Wells should also be on the board at 15, and seeing how RB Ahman Green was a bust, the sexy pick might be temping. The Texans still have running back Steve Slaton, but there’s no proof he can handle a seasons worth of carries. If any one of these three players are waiting there at 15th overall, the Texans should come away laughing.