2007 DRAFT NEEDS:

HOUSTON TEXANS

presented by

by PFT Editor Mike Florio, with Matt Miller of NewEraScouting.com

The Houston Texans are still paying dearly for a bad decision made in their first draft in franchise history.  With the No. 1 overall pick, the league's 32nd franchise picked quarterback David Carr.

The second pick?  Defensive end Julius Peppers.  (Taken nine picks later?  Dwight Freeney.)

This year, the Texans dropped down two spots in round one, from No. 8 to No. 10, and gave up two second-round picks in order to snare a starting quarterback who hopefully will reverse five years of mediocrity under Carr.

But the bigger cost came in 2006, when the Texans decided to pay $8 million for the right to continue the relationship with Carr for three more seasons.  The move took the Texans out of the mix for a quarterback, and prompted them to pass on local product Vince Young.

So by taking the quarterback instead of the defensive end in 2002 and then going with the defensive end instead of the quarterback in 2006, the Texans are not nearly in the kind of shape they'd be in if they had Peppers and Young on the same team.

Then again, if they'd taken Peppers in 2002, they might not have had the first overall pick in 2006.

With the eighth pick that became the tenth pick in 2007, the Texans can go in several different directions.  Our Mock Draft (Version 4.0) has Houston nabbing defensive tackle Alan Branch at No. 10.  It would be a good move for the team, since they're thin at the position in the wake of the switch to the 4-3.  Another possibility is Amobi Okoye of Louisville, a 19-year-old who plays much older than that.  With veteran Jeff Zgonina signed to help mentor a young player, now is as good a time as any to upgrade at the position.

The Texans also could use help at defensive end, where Mario Williams has been a disappointment -- and where he doesn't have much help.  Anthony Weaver, signed as a free agent in 2006 and started in 15 games, but depth is a problem in light of the fact that former first-rounder Jason Babin has never really developed.

The Texans also might want to look for help at cornerback, since Demarcus Faggins might best be suited to a nickel role. 

Ditto for the safety position, where C.C. Brown and Glenn Earl are the best of a not-so-good bunch.

On offense, left tackle is a high priority, given that 2006 rookie Charles Spencer might be finished due to a serious knee injury suffered way back in Week Two.  Even with Jordan Black signed via free agency, they might want to consider Levi Brown with the No. 10 pick.

The Texans also would be wise to add a receiver or two, given the release of Eric Moulds and the ability of a No. 2 wideout to enjoy single coverage across from Pro Bowler Andre Johnson.

And despite handing a bunch of money to tailback Ahman Green, fresh legs in the backfield would be beneficial, if for no reason other than to push Samkon Gado and/or Wali Lundy to get better, or move on.  (Or move out.)