Off Season Needs?

[painekiller]

According to Walters Football.com

1 Cornerback: Dunta Robinson is not expected back; unless he's franchised, he'll likely take a giant offer elsewhere. Assuming this is the case, Houston will have to spend an early-round selection on a cornerback.


2 Free Safety: Surprise, surprise - Eugene Wilson was placed on injured reserve in the middle of the season. Wilson has now missed 29 games in the last four years. The Texans won't be able to depend on him going forward. There will be plenty of safeties to be had in Rounds 2-5.


3 Defensive Tackle: Houston needs a consistent option next to Amobi Okoye. Of course, Okoye isn't playing that well either, but that's another story. Dan Williams and Brian Price will be targeted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.


4 Guard: The Texans need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. Running the ball is a major challenge for them right now. A Round 2-4 selection can be used on a guard.


5 Running Back: After a brilliant rookie year, Steve Slaton couldn't handle the workload on his own. Houston's front office and coaching staff has announced that acquiring a running back is a priority. They'll look at Jonathan Dwyer or Anthony Dixon in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.


6 No. 2 Wide Receiver: Jacoby Jones will probably be given the chance to start across from Andre Johnson next year. I'm not a big fan of this, but the Texans have other needs to address.


7 Backup Quarterback: The Texans are very fortunate that Matt Schaub played all but 18 snaps in 2009. In those 18 other snaps, however, Rex Grossman showed everyone just how dreadful he is. A solid backup for Schaub is needed.


8 Kicker: Kris Brown can make any kick - unless it's in the final two minutes. Brown is a choke-artist who cost Houston two potential victories in 2009.

It not possible to cover all the needs with one draft, unless we trade down for extra picks, or give up future picks for this year.

I agree that CB needs to be a top priority and I would take two CBs in the draft, or go after Leigh Bodden and draft one stud.

Do we already have our Safeties? Bodden and Barber/Nolan(?), or do we need to draft a guy like Darrell Stuckey or Kam Chancellor later in the draft. FA I would target is Darren Sharper, and still draft a young guy.

I like Dan Williams with the 1st pick, that would answer the NT position. But what if Wilfork is not Franchised? Go for him with all you got. BTW we might be able to get Williams with a trade down.

Guard? Not sure Pitts is back and healthy, same with Briesel, so I have to figure both are not going to be here, Could get a solid Guard in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, Petrus and Johnson pairing might be fun? Again will need extra picks to pull this off.

RB? Not in the 1st IMO. We will not stand pat either. So what will they do? I don't know, but I know I will be scratching my head when they do it.

WR 2, resign Walters next, Backup QB? Am the only one that likes the John David Booty signing? Orlovsky will be given a chance to earn his high salary, doubt he earns it. Good bye Grossman. Sorry no wasted pick on a QB this year.

Kicker? Drafting a Kicker is a risky proposal on the better teams, better to sign a vet, Neil Rackers anyone? Perhaps an Olindo Mare type.

Not on this list is Punter, but I would bring the kid Justin Brantly again for a look. See what he learned last season and what his desire level is.

[NBT]

Pretty good analysis PK. I would hope that RB Arian Foster continues to improve. He looked OK the last two games of the year last year. I would think dRob is gone, and hope we resign Walter. You also didn't mention OD, which should be a priority. Dreesen is OK, but he is not on par with OD.

Right now, if we stay with pick #20, I agree that DT/NT, or CB should be our first pick. OG/C should also be a priority.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

Pretty good analysis PK. I would hope that RB Arian Foster continues to improve. He looked OK the last two games of the year last year. I would think dRob is gone, and hope we resign Walter. You also didn't mention OD, which should be a priority. Dreesen is OK, but he is not on par with OD.

Right now, if we stay with pick #20, I agree that DT/NT, or CB should be our first pick. OG/C should also be a priority.

OD is a RFA, so I am thinking he is a Texan next season. And as such we over loaded at TE, wish we had seen more of Hill last season. I am worried he will be a bust due to always being hurt with something.

[Arky]

Radio rumor was saying that OD might holdout as much as he can.... Said he's not happy and only going to show up when mandatory.....

Hard to say which way they will go in the draft. I expect RD1 pick to start and so should they - would be nice to get 2 starters. Safety might be solved in their minds.... Barber/Wilson might work for FS but still need depth for Pollard...

I'd rather they do a little something to both lines before they draft a running back. With Moats/Foster/Jeremiah Johnson and a drafted back, they might be fine... an extra UDFA RB for the practice squad..

[Roy P]

#20 FS Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays - They both have questions (size vs. coverage) but that's why they are not drafted in the top 15.

#50 CB: The best available - I don't see much difference in the CBs being ranked between #25 - #65. Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson, Devin McCourty, Dominique Franks, Kareem Jackson, Perrish Cox

#83 OG Mike Johnson or Rodger Saffold

#115 RB: Could Toby last this long? I think Ben Tate is sitting here for us.

#146 DT: Torrell Troupe, D'Anthony Smith, Mike Neal, Linval Joseph

#177 QB: John Skelton - I've got a feeling he'd be a Schaub clone.

#187 OG: Adam Ulatoski, Chris Scott, Marshall Newhouse, or Sergio Render

#211 WR: Marcus Easley, Chris McGaha, Alric Arnett, Verran Tucker or Chris Carter

[NBT]

Yeah, from what I have been seeing, Toby just might be there in your scenario. I would hope so.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by NBT

Yeah, from what I have been seeing, Toby just might be there in your scenario. I would hope so.

Next week in Indy may tell us alot about where he gets drafted (round-wise)
as it will for a other skill-poisiton players at RB, WR, & CB.

[kRocket]

What is y'all's opinion on trying Anthony Hill along the OL. Either OG or move Winston to OG and try Hill at RT? I Kinda thought that was the purpose of drafting him in the first place.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by kRocket

What is y'all's opinion on trying Anthony Hill along the OL. Either OG or move Winston to OG and try Hill at RT? I Kinda thought that was the purpose of drafting him in the first place.

Hill was drafted to be the next Mark Breuner.

[TexicanMexican]

Originally Posted by kRocket

What is y'all's opinion on trying Anthony Hill along the OL. Either OG or move Winston to OG and try Hill at RT? I Kinda thought that was the purpose of drafting him in the first place.

He can't stay upright or healthy enough for it. Injuries have plagued him since college. He's an injury waiting to happen.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by TexicanMexican

He can't stay upright or healthy enough for it. Injuries have plagued him since college. He's an injury waiting to happen.

If he stays healthy, he is a great choice, only problem injuries. Wasn't he hurt in high school also?

[TexicanMexican]

I don't know about his high school injury history. Just know he was hurt quiet a bit in college and we saw how his NFL career has started.

[painekiller]

What if Pitts is healthy and we resign him?

Brown, Pitts, ?, ?, Winston is a given.

Caldwell should be one of those questions. I am fine with that.

Ben Hamilton 6-4, 290 from Denver has worked with Rick Dennison for his whole career, can play guard or center.

That would then give you a choice of where Caldwell or Hamilton play.

I like the idea of Brown, Pitts, Caldwell, Hamilton, Winston.

What if Pitts is not healthy/resigned? Meyers? Draft? God forbid, Studdard.

Another guy to watch is Marshal Yanda, he would be an instant upgrade in our OL.

If this staff goes the way I think they will go then they go with experience in the OL, not the a high draft pick.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I agree that CB needs to be a top priority and I would take two CBs in the draft, or go after Leigh Bodden and draft one stud.

Do we already have our Safeties?
I like Dan Williams with the 1st pick, that would answer the NT position.

Guard? Not sure Pitts is back and healthy, same with Briesel, so I have to figure both are not going to be here.

RB? Not in the 1st IMO.

WR 2, resign Walters next, Backup QB? Am the only one that likes the John David Booty signing?

Kicker? Drafting a Kicker is a risky proposal on the better teams, better to sign a vet, Neil Rackers anyone? Perhaps an Olindo Mare type.

Not on this list is Punter, but I would bring the kid Justin Brantly again for a look. See what he learned last season and what his desire level is.

Bodden isn't possible....so, can we go for Brandon Ghee in the 2nd? My best case scenario is that Earl Thomas falls to us in the first to fill the FS slot. As much as I love Dan Williams, perhaps Linval Joseph can be found later on? We just signed a RG from KC, so they might just pick up a project late in the draft. I'm excited about John Jerry, but this staff might want to develop Shawn Lauvao or Shelley Smith.

I can't believe people aren't talking about Ben Tate as a 2nd round pick, but I'll be happy to draft him in the 3rd.

KW has been resigned so there's no need to find another WR.

You know that I wanted us to draft JDB out of USC. Therefore, I'm happy we have him on the roster. Grossman and Orlovsky, not so much. I absolutely love Dan LeFevour and if I were the Rams, Redskins, or Seahawks and wanted a "Franchise QB" I wouldn't take a player with shoulder problems. I'd draft Dan later on after taking a LT or another need position. Anyway, since we have Schauby, I may take John Skelton as my project late in the draft.

Special teams? The Turk got extended so no need for Mesko. Kris Brown might give me ulcers, so I'll take a hard look Michigan St. Brett Swenson. I won't "draft" him, but I'll have his agent on speed dial right after the draft.

1. S Earl Thomas 5'10" 195 4.44 Texas
2. CB Brandon Ghee 6'0" 191 4.45 Wake Forest
3. RB Ben Tate 5'11" 218 4.43 Auburn
4. OG John Jerry 6'6" 332 5.15 Mississippi
5. DT Linval Joseph 6'5" 328 5.12 East Carolina
6. OG Marshall Newhouse 6'3" 326 5.00 TCU
6. QB John Skelton 6'5" 245 4.88 Fordham
7. LB Kavell Conner 6'1" 242 4.63 Clemson
FA. K Brett Swenson 5'8" 178 5.00 Michigan State

[kravix]

1) I am OK with Reeves/Quin starting. I like Reeves more than most and Quin was a pleasent suprise last year. The drop off with McCain/Bennet/Nolan is pretty big though and either a top flight CB to start or 2nd tier guy to compete and backup would be nice to have. Molden is gone IMO and Bennet is on notice.

2) Convert Nolan FS or draft one high. Wilson played well, but his age and injury issues make him non dependable. This is my #1. And please ball skills, ball skills, ball skills. I dont care if he can hit, as losg as he can cover and doesnt have rubber band arms when tackling.

3) Amobi is the weak link here. I think early last season we suffered the loss of Travis Johnson early, but Cody makes up for it. I would like a big NT to take doubles with Cody on 1st and 2nd down, and bring Amobi and Smith in on 3rd. Or maybe Okam can step up and play some this year. I dont want to see another 3 tech drafted though, I would rather have the fat guy.

4) With Brisel/Caldwell/Wade I am good. Just please no more Studdard. This was the biggest weakness on our team last year when we were down to 2nd and 3rd stringers. I wouldnt mind seeing a LG in the 2nd or 3rd. If Pitts can come back one more year, that is icing on the cake.

5) IF Slaton is healthy we are ok with him Moats and Foster. His injury was bad though and all three have ball handling issues. I wouldnt mind seeing a 3rd dropped here. I think most of our issues last year were OL play, not the backs.

6) WR was never an issue, even if KW had left. KW started the ear injured, but the year before him and AJ were the best tandem in the league. Jacoby needs to sink or swim, but we still have Davis in the pocket who, when asked, played pretty lights out for us.

7) Let Rex go. Please. I think Orlovsky is quite capable as a backup. I would like to see an older vet on the bench. Schaub is young and drafting his replacement or a project guys is just waste at this point.

8) Brown needs to go. He had one good year sandwiched by two horrible years. I dont blame Kubiak for not watching field goals.

I think Myers is ok at C, it is the G play that hurt us most.

I want a huge DT that demands the double to free up the 3 and ends.

I also want a ball hawking FS.

Gimme the two above and I think this team can dominate. I would like some depth at SLB and DE and OT though. We have starters, but depth in a system is what makes teams great.

[Roy P]

I wanted two OL, but since we have Wade, then I'll settle for one. In addition, I want two DT (big & little) to replace Okam and Zgonina. I'll take a CB and a FS. A RB is a must. I'll flip a coin between another CB or a WILL LB and take whichever is the better prospect.

1. DT Dan Williams
2. CB Brandon Ghee
3. DT Tyson Alualu
4. OG John Jerry
5. FS Myron Lewis
6. LB Jamar Chaney
6. RB Lonyae Miller
7. QB John Skelton

[nunusguy]

Notwithstand what Bob McNair said, I now think there's a chance the Texans sign LT. Now that some time has passed while he's shopped hisself around he
may be a lot more reasonable than he was when he was first released by the Chargers. They might be able to sign him for just one year at this point ?
Really he's very much what we need in the RZ and unlike most rooks, he's a descent blocker in passing situations to protect Schaub.
I like what the Chiefs did, having Jones and Jamaal Charles as a tandem and the 5 M over 2 years for Jones isn't too extravagant.

[NBT]

I think LT has had his best years. 9 Years in the league as a RB will do that. And I don't think he would play for the vet minimum.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Could get a solid Guard in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

The 49ers have placed a 3rd round tender on David Baas. I might have to consider that, he could play C too.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

The 49ers have placed a 3rd round tender on David Baas. I might have to consider that, he could play C too.

He has underachieved as a pro. He was drafted in the 2nd and they only consider him worth a 3rd. For some reason the 49ers have had trouble developing OL guys.

He is more the mauler type guy in the middle not real athletic. Would rather take Petrus, most likely a high 2nd but he might drop.