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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
November 18, 2006
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: David Nelson
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Nov 18, 2006 11:00 AM
Subject: Texans Options
Mr. Pickney,
Love your site. As a Texans fan I'm intrigued by their draft possibilities. Pressing needs include a RB, an OT, secondary help, and a linebacker. Ok, they need a lot. They are improving, especially on defense thanks to a great draft including DeMarco Ryans and Mario Williams. Their running game is so pathetic that it they can't control the clock, which makes their defense stay on the field too long. As they improve and their schedule is getting much easier (Browns,
Raiders, Bills, Titans,etc) they may work themselves out of picking Adrian Peterson. If that happens, who are a couple of players they go for in the first round? second round? Thanks!
Lou: With Domanick Davis injured, Wali Lundy and Ron Dayne have been given the bulk of the carries this year... which, as you mentioned, has not always been a particularly good thing. I'd say that RB will likely be the team's focus for round one, but it all depends on who is on the board and where the Texans end up in the draft. Also, Davis' health relative to next year will have to be considered. If he can return to 1,000 yard form, then great, though he has hovered near the 4.0 yards per carry line for most of his career, which also makes him potentially replacable, or at the very least someone that Houston would want to have backed up with a player of starting RB quality.
If Houston could add Adrian Peterson or Kenny Irons, their fortunes for next year could be much better. You're right in noting that the Texans are creeping down most boards as far as projected finishes go, which could very easily lead to them not landing Peterson. Beating Jacksonville twice was surprising... and perhaps a sign of good things to come for the team. But in the short-term, it means a lower likelihood of landing Peterson.
Houston is 3-6, but of its remaining games, five of the seven look quite winnable (BUF, @NYJ, @OAK, TEN, CLE), with only at New England and home vs. Indy on Christmas Eve having that tough look to them. Then again, I saw Tennessee's defense baffle David Carr in person earlier this year, so it's far from a given that Houston will win the quite winnable games.
If Houston doesn't go RB in round one, LOLB might be a position to consider. DeMeco Ryans has had a great rookie year at MLB, and Morlon Greenwood has been strong at ROLB. There are more OLB/DE hybrid types toward the top of the draft, and Houston would probably be better served trying to move down and land a guy like Penn State LB Paul Posluszny... or hope that someone of his ilk is on the board in the second round. Much will depend if Houston is looking for a pass rushing LB or someone who isn't as blitz-oriented who has stronger field presence and coverage skills.
At corner, Houston has been servicable -- but not particularly special. Dexter McCleon was brought in this off-season, but he hasn't yet made an INT. In fact, no one in the Texans secondary has more than one interception, and forcing turnovers is pivotal in the NFL. A ball-hawking CB could be a great addition to the team, or maybe a high-end safety like LSU's LaRon Landry.
Eric Winston was drafted last year, so I'm not sure if Houston will make offensive tackle a priority, even though it has been a problem for the team for the duration of its existence. But if a guy like Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas drops (and I have him slated right now in a really high spot for an offensive lineman, so it's quite possible), Houston could decide to snag him, going to fill a moderate need with the best player on the board.
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