Status Check: Where Are the Houston Texans Two Weeks Before the Draft?

Earlier in the week, we examined the Houston Texans' offense and where it stood before the 2010 NFL Draft.  Let's now take a look at the defense.  We'll address the current roster, new additions and potential draft options.

Starting with the defensive line, an area the Texans have invested countless draft picks or millions of free agent dollars, the team is still not where it needs to be.

Sure, Mario Williams is a very good (not great) defensive end.  Imagine if he played with the intensity and ferocity of (my favorite Texan) Brian Cushing.  Mario would certainly be super.

Williams is the player opposing offenses must game plan for continuously.  He's double-teamed on nearly every play.  He's the cog that makes the defensive line's machine move.  He's one of the best players at his position.  Yet, he could be much more based on his unbelievable physical talents.

Antonio Smith, a free agent addition in 2009, offers solid if not spectacular play at the opposite end.  He's good against the run and adequate against the pass from the defensive end position.  When Smith moves inside to play tackle, he's able to use his quickness to get around interior linemen. 

Much is expected of second-year end Connor Barwin.  He has the athletic ability to be more than just a situational rusher, but, for the time being, he will be looked upon to excel in third and long situations. 

In the middle, Amobe Okoye is another solid contributor.  He may never live up to his potential or the hope that the Texans had when selecting him as a teenager out of Louisville.  On the other hand, the light may come on and Okoye may become a dominant pass rusher.

No other defensive tackle, including Shaun Cody and Frank Okam, have showed that they are more than rotational players.  Sure, neither will kill you, but neither will make many big plays. 

Defensive tackle is yet again a huge need for the Texans.  Specifically, a massive run-stuffing tackle like Tennessee's Dan Williams is needed.  The Texans need a player who can tie up blockers and unleash both the pass rushers at defensive end and the play-making linebackers.  More on the 'backers soon.

UCLA's Brian Price is another option.  Even though his pro day was less than stellar, Price has undeniable talent.  He could provide the Texans much needed help on the interior of the line.  Penn State's Jared Odrick is another intriguing option.

In Demeco Ryans, fresh off a contract extension that may keep Ryans in Houston for the rest of his career, Brian Cushing and Zac Diles, the Texans have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL.

Ryans makes plays all over the field and is the heart of the team.  He's an on-the-field leader and a pillar in the community.

Cushing is the hear beat of the team.  Nobody plays with more heart than Rookie of the Year Cushing.  His passion, swagger, and intensity are infectious.  He plays with a presence.

Zac Diles may not get much national attention, but he has the size and speed to make plays all over the field.  He's worked hard to become more than just a special teams player.

Top backup Xavier Abidi has talent but is still on the smallish size.  While linebacker is not a need for the team, perhaps a late round player is added for special teams purposes.

The secondary.  Oh, the secondary.

The Texans allowed Dunta Robinson to walk (limp?) away as a free agent to the Atlanta Falcons.  Robinson was a shell of his former self and was nothing more than an average corner back after sustaining such a horrific hamstring injury in 2008.

Nonetheless, Robinson was a leader and was one of the best Texan players in franchise history.  He will be missed.

Glover Quin and Jacques Reeves are penciled in as starters as of this moment.  Brice McCain is a valuable contributor.  Fred Bennett and Antoine Molden are both mysteries.  After showing much promise early in their careers, both Bennett and Molden have tailed off recently.  Anything either offers the team in 2010 should be considered gravy.

With that being said, a new corner back is needed.   And a good one.  In a division with Peyton Manning, a team can never have enough depth at corner back.  In the pass-happy AFC, a team with serious playoff inspirations must have corner backs.

Adding a player such as Boise State's Kyle Wilson, one of this draft's top corner prospects, would be a starter from day one in Houston.  Florida State's Patrick Robinson is also a strong prospect for the second round. 

The Texans re-signed strong safety Bernard Pollard to a one-year contract.  Waiting to see if Pollard is more than a one-year wonder prior to locking him up long term is a sensible move.  Still, Pollard plays with attitude and was a great find for the Texans.

At free safety, however, the Texans are without a solution.  If Earl Thomas were to slip in the draft, he would be a godsend for Houston.  Thomas, in my eyes, is nearly as good a prospect as Eric Berry. 

I would hope the Texans would steer clear of USC's Taylor Mays.  I see him as somebody with great straight-line speed and questionable football IQ, pass defense and ability to change direction.  In short, he's not a free safety nor is he a good fit for Houston. 

On a side note, I wonder why Mays isn't converted into a dynamite weak side linebacker.  Couldn't he be a faster version of Derrick Brooks if he put on a little weight?  Is this not feasible?

To sum up, three of the Texans' biggest needs are on defense. A defensive tackle, corner back and free safety need to be added to the roster in order for the Texans to take the next step towards making the playoffs and beyond.