Maybe the real answer to the Houston Texans' 1st round draft is...

To not draft in the first round at all?  I think we all agree that there are a few names that really stand out if they were available at the 20th pick.  Then there appear to be some names that everyone says "well they might be a little high at this selection, but they are the best available".  Then of course there are even more names that we are "if they are available by the 2nd round, they're a steal!".  I think with that in mind, the Texans should consider trading down to the end of the first or upper 2nd round (with an additional 3rd or 4th round pick) if one of the three or so big board names aren't there by our turn in the 1st.  The reality is also that it is all contingent on finding someone interested, however, you can't tell me guys at the bottom of the first/top of the second don't have specific guys targeted.

Clearly, the Texans are on the edge of something big.  Power runner and secondary are the big keys to this draft along with some defensive/offensive line depth.  Having some extra picks to be able to fill those spots especially in a draft where it looks like more quality exists more in rounds 2-4.  Two other positions that most would assume are strengths also need to be in the back of war room minds in Houston: WR and LB.  Walters is winding down his contract & Andre Davis is year-to-year so our apparent depth at that position could become shallow fast.  Moreover, I still think we should keep our minds open in the second round if a LB happens to fall into that round especially if we have additional picks.  It goes without saying that Cushing had a great year as a rookie.  However, you would have to blind not to also see that some of the injuries that plagued him in college are already starting to creep up in his first NFL year.  In addition, you have Ryans waiting for someone to show him the money when his contract is up which of course will be ultimately affected by this whole CBA mess.  Thus, having some quality depth and/or someone in the wings going into next season isn't totally unreasonable at LB. 

So unlike previous years where we tried plugging holes or tearing down the whole wall via the draft, this year could be the year where more picks makes more sense to be selective.  Some of this will be made a little easier via free agency.  Yet, the draft is where our fortunes could be made. Of course, that is if there is a willing market, you're targeted players aren't there, and if you have the stones to weather the PR storm of trading down or out of the 1st round.