2019 NFL Draft: Rotoworld Analyzes Texans’ Needs

Rotoworld has done a series of articles outlining each team’s needs as we all whither way until the 2019 NFL Draft. Last week they released a post about your Houston Texans. If you are a fan of the team, you know what the needs were entering this offseason: offensive line, cornerback, and pass rusher. Now that free agency is nearly over, you know those needs are the same.

Here’s Rotoworld’s analysis; you can click here to read about potential fits for the Texans when the draft takes place.

TEAM NEEDS

Silva’s Analysis

Offensive Line: Although Watson added stress to Houston’s pass protection by holding onto the ball at the NFL’s second-highest rate (2.84 seconds) last season, the Texans’ line did him no favors by yielding league highs in sack rate (10.9%) and QB hit rate (24.1%) and finishing 27^th in Football Outsiders’ run-blocking metric. GM Brian Gaine’s lone offensive line addition so far is Matt Kalil, who struggled badly with the 2017 Panthers and didn’t play football last year due to chronic knee injuries.

Cornerback: Sorely lacking speed at outside corner, only three NFL defenses coughed up more completions of 40-plus yards (13) than last year’s Texans. Joseph turns 35 in April, and Roby is playing on a one-year deal. Colvin disappointed in his Houston debut.

Pass Rusher: No Texans need is remotely as glaring as offensive line, but there is room for depth reinforcements throughout one of the NFL’s thinnest rosters. The drop-off from Houston’s starting defensive front to its top reserves is among the largest in the league, and the Texans could stand to upgrade their backfield with Miller continually underwhelming and Foreman coming off a lost.

No surprises there. We’ve talked a ton about offensive line and cornerback, but what pass rushing prospects do you like most for the Texans?