Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is quickly approaching, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today we shine a light on the Houston Texans.
2014 Season Review
Despite one of the best seasons in NFL history by any player, J.J. Watt’s Texans couldn’t sneak into the playoffs. With a 9-7 finish, the Texans missed the playoffs by just a hair, but improved immensely from their 2-14 disaster of a season in 2013. Houston’s defense was great, holding teams to just 19.2 points per game and scoring 6 touchdowns. The offense, however, consistently struggled to score, putting up just 34 offensive touchdowns. The Texans don’t have a ton of cap space, but with about $13 million free on the books, they can make a few moves.
Houston Texans 2015 Offseason: Top 3 Needs
Quarterback
The Texans need a quarterback like Marshawn Lynch needs Skittles. Houston has a great defense led by the best player in football in J.J. Watt and an effective zone running game that features Arian Foster in his prime and Alfred Blue as his understudy – but they don’t have a franchise quarterback.
This year, they played four different quarterbacks. It’s their biggest need by far, but they don’t have the means to get it done this offseason. The Texans pick at #16 in the draft, which is too low to get blue-chip quarterback prospects Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.
The free agent crop is less than impressive, with Josh McCown and Brian Hoyer leading the way.
When Houston wants to decide who they want under center, they can pick from Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett (if he’s re-signed), Tom Savage, or Case Keenum. Fitzpatrick is the veteran of the group while the rest are unproven.
If Houston goes with a quarterback in the draft, it will be a player that Bill O’Brien expects to be able to develop into an above-average starter.
The Texans will most likely look to draft a quarterback on day two or three. Options include Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, Colorado State signal caller Garrett Grayson, and Oregon-transfer quarterback Bryan Bennett, who is coming out of Southeastern Louisiana. All three quarterbacks were interviewed by the Texans at the combine.
Petty started at Baylor and played in an incredibly productive spread offense, throwing 61 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions during the last two seasons. Petty is a great athlete, but played in a primarily first-read pass offense, and usually had time in the pocket. He has an NFL starting-caliber arm but doesn’t throw with anticipation. His ceiling is high, but will struggle while learning NFL read progressions.
Grayson worked out of the pocket at Colorado State, but has a slow release and inconsistent decision-making. Like Petty, Grayson’s numbers are inflated because of catch-and-run touchdowns on plays like hitches and screens.
Bryan Bennett has only come up in draft talks recently, and impressed teams at the combine. He is likely a pick in round 5 or later. Bennett was supposed to take Darron Thomas’ job in Oregon but Marcus Mariota beat him out. He has NFL caliber arm talent, and can make plays with his feet. The question is his ability to adjust to a much faster pace of game than he played in at Southeastern Louisiana and make the correct reads.
Whether Houston takes one of those three, or decides on a more systematic fit like Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, any quarterback that Bill O’Brien’s staff decides on will be a project.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins flourished last year, gaining 1210 yards receiving. On the flipside, Andre Johnson turns 34 before this season starts.
In the current day NFL, having a #3 wide receiver that can make plays is a necessity; Houston’s #3? Damaris Johnson. Johnson’s best option is probably staying as a kick return specialist.
If Houston attacks the position in free agency, Randall Cobb could be a possible target. Cobb is used to being the slot guy, and can make plays after the catch. If Houston decides to spend their money elsewhere (offensive line anchor Chris Meyers needs to be re-signed), they have all of their picks and could make a move on day two or three in the draft.
Houston has shown interest in Miami speedster Phillip Dorsett, who ran a 4.35 forty-yard dash at the combine. If Houston is looking to add more speed to their passing game, they could also look at Ohio State standout Devin Smith; the Texans interviewed both at the combine. Smith ran a 4.4 forty-yard dash, and was a huge part of Ohio State’s National Championship run, stretching the field and eating up huge chunks of yardage with every reception.
Adding talent at the wide receiver position would help any quarterback that plays for the Texans, and would give the offense a vertical option.
Tight End
Since Owen Daniels left for Baltimore last offseason, Houston has had terrible tight end play. None of Houston’s tight ends this year registered a positive grade from Pro Football Focus on passing plays or in run blocking.
Adding a tight end could help hugely in the rushing game and on play-action. Having a capable tight end that could get open on a drag or slant off play-action could pay huge dividends for a young quarterback that needs orchestrated plays.
In free agency, Charles Clay could be of use. Clay consistently played well in Miami, gaining 600 yards and 3 touchdowns. His only struggle was in pass blocking – a normal attribute for a player who usually runs routes. Clay only dropped 2 passes all year and forced 12 missed tackles. He would add a lot to a lukewarm offense.
Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas are also free agents, but they both would cost too much for a tight end that’s ineffective in the running game.
Thomas’ backup in Denver, Virgil Green, might be worth a look for the Texans. Green was fourth in run block rating by Pro Football Focus and still has the youth (26), size (6’5″), and athleticism to develop into a serious receiving threat.
In the draft, it’s unlikely that Houston targets top prospect Maxx Williams, but that doesn’t mean they are void of late round options. Two tight ends they might be able to snag are Jeff Heuerman and Rory Anderson. Heuerman, from Ohio State, is a great run blocker at 6’5″ 265, and was underutilized in the passing game by the Buckeyes. Anderson also stands 6’5″ and was underutilized, but the South Carolina product has room to fill out his frame and improve as a run blocker.
Houston, similar to teams like Buffalo and Philadelphia, is just a serious quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender. They most likely won’t get one this season, but they can improve their team enough to help ensure a playoff spot – and once you get there, anything can happen.
You can find your favorite team’s offseason needs and draft prospect profiles at The War Room: Last Word’s 2015 NFL Draft Headquarters.
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