After a season that most, if not all, of the fans are trying to forget, Houston will come into next season with a new look at many positions. The Texans didn’t do much during free agency, other than get out from the Brock Osweiler contract, and definitely need to address some issues during the Draft.
Houston Texans 2017 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Quarterback
It’s no question that the Texans need a quarterback of the future. Brock Osweiler left a bad taste in the mouths of virtually everyone. Osweiler, however, was just the latest addition to the Texans list of mediocre-at-best quarterbacks.
With a championship caliber defense, a 1,000 yard rusher (Lamar Miller), and a pretty decent group of receivers (DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, and Jaelen Strong), it seems the Texans are merely a franchise quarterback away from being a realistic contender. With the Texans holding the 25th pick in the first round of the Draft, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a chance on a young quarterback with their first pick.
The Texans have already met with both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, both expected to go in the early rounds. They’ve also met with Trevor Knight and Brad Kaaya, who should be available in a later round as a potential sleeper. Watson and Mahomes are the quarterbacks Houston wants unless neither of them make it to 25. If the Texans go a different route in the first round, I expect Knight or Kaaya to land in Houston in the third round.
Cornerback/Safety
With the departure of A.J. Bouye to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans now have a serious need at the defensive back position. The Texans are left with an aging Johnathan Joseph, who is coming into his 12th season and hasn’t been as much of a threat as he oonce was. Kareem Jackson is coming into his ninth season but has been inconsistent.
Kevin Johnson is a young, productive corner that Houston could rely on, but he suffered a season-ending foot injury last season. While he showed promise, there’s still the issue of whether or not Johnson can come back at 100 percent next season and fill the void Bouye left.
The Texans also lost safety Quintin Demps to the Chicago Bears in free agency. Andre Hal has been productive for the Texans but there’s a need for a playmaking safety to line up opposite of Hal. With the pressure that Houston brings up front, a ball-hawking corner, or safety, is just what the Texans need to create turnovers.
Houston has met with several safeties and corners which confirms the need will be addressed. The majority of the players that Houston met with are not projected to go in the first round, however. One name that stands out that the Texans have met with is safety Marcus Maye from Florida. Maye is projected to go in the second round.
Defensive Tackle
With the retirement of Vince Wilfork, the Texans lost their starting nose tackle. While Christian Covington could be moved into the nose tackle spot and be productive, Houston likes what he brings as a defensive end. So the Texans would benefit from drafting a young defensive tackle in this Draft.
Even if it’s just to have a rotational player to come in and give the starters a breather, the Texans need a true nose tackle. One player who stands out, that the Texans have met with, is Dalvin Tomlinson from Alabama. Tomlinson is projected to go in the third or fourth round and could be a solid pickup for the Texans.
