2012 NFL Draft: 3 Needs Houston Texans Should Target in This Year's Draft

The NFL draft is a time where every single NFL fan can be hopeful. The right pick could finally turn a team around, or it could allow great teams to start a dynasty.

When the 2012 NFL draft rolls around, the Houston Texans will be looking to strengthen their playoff roster, and ensure that they will continue to compete at a high level.

Here are the needs that the Texans should target in the upcoming draft.

The Best Player Available

Due to their incredible depth at almost every position, the Houston Texans will be fortunate enough to draft the best player available. 

When many of the Texans starters went down due to injury this season, their backups played at a very high level. Star players like Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Mario Williams all suffered injuries that kept them out of the game for a significant amount of time.

The Texans, however, did not roll over and die with a third-string rookie quarterback starting. Instead they went on to win the AFC South and their franchise's first playoff game.

If there is one thing that this shows about the Texans, it is that they have great depth on their whole roster. Therefore, the Texans should be able to draft the player that they believe could develop into a star and be a crucial part of a team that will be competing for a Super Bowl for years to come.

A few players that the Texans could pick that do not necessarily fill a position gap would be Dont'a Hightower (MLB), Nick Perry (DE) and Zebrie Sander (OT).

Wide Receiver

The weakest position depth-wise on the Texans is the wide receiver position.

Yes, Andre Johnson is a great player who could be the best receiver in the NFL. Yes, Johnson is the franchise's all-time best player.

This past season, however, illustrated the need the Texans have to obtain a receiver who can contribute behind Johnson. When Johnson went down to two hamstring injuries, the team's passing game suffered. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter were not able to separate from defenders, and Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates had to depend on the checkdown to their tight ends and running backs. 

Johnson is also getting older, and his body appears to be letting him down. He missed over half the season this year due to hamstring injuries, and he missed three games last year because of a high ankle sprain. If Johnson continues to suffer injuries, then the Texans must add a second-string wide receiver who will be able to consistently contribute without Johnson in the lineup. 

Johnson, also, is nearing his retirement. When he actually does retire, the Texans need to ensure that their passing game will not suffer a setback by drafting a wide receiver for the future.

A few receivers that the Texans could draft in the first round are Kendall Wright and Alshon Jefferey. If the Texans do not go receiver in the first round, then Juron Criner would be a great second-round pick.

Defensive Tackle

One might make the case that the Texans should pursue a cornerback to play opposite of Jonathan Joseph in the first round instead of a nose tackle.

Jason Allen and Kareem Jackson, however, showed great improvement from last season. Allen had four interceptions, while Jackson improved his coverage and ball skills. With a full offseason to work with cornerbacks coach Vance Joseph, one would only expect for the two young corner to improve. The Texans also have Brandon Harris, a rookie who missed most of last season due to injuries.

The Texans have a bevy of young corners, and they do not need to draft another one in the first round. The Texans, however, might want to address their need for a nose tackle.

In the 3-4 scheme that the Texans play, nose tackles are supposed to be huge 300-pound players who can stop the run. While current nose tackle Shaun Cody had a solid season for the Texans, he is pretty small for the position. Cody was an effective run-stopper, but a larger, more heavy nose tackle could bring the Texans run defense to a whole new level.

There are a few exceptional defensive tackles that the Texans could draft in the first round. Devon Still would be an ideal pick, while Brandon Thompson could be a good backup option if Still is off the board before the Texans pick