via tnjn.com

I have been vocal in saying the Texans ought to draft O-line in the 1st round this year. My tune hasn't changed, but the notes are a little different. With the Wade Smith acquisition, I believe that Smithiak will consider the O-line to have been addressed in free agency. It's not perfect, but the interior O-line was a hole in the dike and Wade Smith is the finger. So, what does this mean to the Texans' draft strategy? It narrows their priorities.

The Texans may look at their D-line and think, we are okay there. The D-line improved last year and gave us an opportunity to win some games. They were strong against the run. The D-line of Antonio Smith, Shaun Cody, Amobi Okoye, and Mario Williams is an awesome D-line (the Texans are thinking). We have confidence in them and with another year under their belt and the further development of Connor Barwin, the D-line is poised to flourish this year. The perceived weakness of this unit is an effective pass rush in the middle. Cody and Okoye are good against the run, but do not put pressure on the QB. The Texans should look to draft a player for this need.

They may look at their D-backfield and be thinking, this unit is also poised to flourish. We got rid of malcontent Dunta Robinson. If we return with a healthy Jacques Reeves and maturing Glover Quinn, supplemented by quick Brice McCain who received valuable experience in his rookie season; and, Bernard Pollard picks up where he left off and Eugene Wilson can stay on the field...well a big if; then this D-backfield could be a very good unit in 2010. While none of these players are going to the Pro Bowl based on their coverage skills, they are effective when healthy. Losing Dunta Robinson to free agency leaves an opening for a rookie player, since the Texans struck out in free agency. The Texans should have DB high on their need list.

With a solid DB draft board and many players pegged for the 2nd and 3rd rounds, it doesn't look like the 1st round is the place to grab that DB unless a player like CB Joe Haden inexplicably slides all the way down to 20. If that happens, all bets are off on other positions. Other DBs who mock drafters are putting on the Texans menu are FS Earl Thomas and CB Kyle Wilson. Both would fill Texans' needs. But, the depth of the DB board and the lack of depth for DTs after the 1st round may be what weighs out on where the Texans will go with their 1st pick.

So, it is my belief that the Texans will be looking for someone who will improve their interior D-line with the likes of DT Dan Williams or DT Brian Price in the 1st round. The Texans will be watching those two most closely. Dan Williams at 6'2", 325 is considered by some to be a pure NT for a 3-4 defense. I think the Texans would welcome him to the party in their 4-3. It has been said that he is a powerful bull-rusher who can collapse the pocket. Brian Price is built more in the mold of an Amobi Okoye and is considered a typical one-gap under-tackle and he can be overwhelmed by bigger O-linemen. But, it is said he has a high motor and doesn't take any plays off. I think he would a very good player for the Texans' system. Out of the two, we would probably like to see Williams. Depending on which mock draft you look at; one, both or neither are available at 20. I haven't put serious thought into Terrence Cody because he is a player that takes plays off and they already have that guy in Frank Okam.

Now my next theory on this draft. Out of the guys I mentioned as fitting the Texans' needs, I think at least one, two or more of them will be there at 20. If they aren't then something drastic would have happened at the top of the draft and a player I haven't mentioned would have fallen down the board. I couldn't begin to project who that would be, but as long as it wasn't a QB, WR or DE, I could see the Texans being interested in that guy. Maybe it's RB CJ Spiller or OLB Sean Weatherspoon? One thing I know...it won't be Tim Tebow.