Houston Texans Football: 10 Draft Prospects That the Texans Could Benefit From

The Texans need help on defense, especially in the secondary and at the outside linebacker position.

Fortunately for Wade Phillips, the Texans’ new defensive coordinator, this draft is loaded with defensive talent that he can use to revitalize a defense that was not short of terrible in 2010.

The Texans have the No. 11 pick overall as well as picks in every round.

There are many players in this year’s draft that would be great fits for the Texans, and that could make an immediate impact on a defense that needs serious improvement.

Obviously, the Texans cannot get all of these guys, and some that are great fits would require trades to move up or down to get, so these are not predictions of who I think the Texans will draft, but simply a list of players that would be great for the Texans if they are available when the Texans draft.

10: Rahim Moore, S: UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 08: Rahim Moore #3 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after an interception against the Oregon State Beavers at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on November 8, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

The top safety in a draft that where safeties are scarce, Moore would be a great pick for the Texans in the second or third round.

Though a bit undersized by NFL standards, Moore is not afraid to come into the box and make a hit. 

A three-year starter for the Bruins, Moore never missed a start.

He is not the fast guy with a 4.62 40-yard time, but he plays a lot faster in pads.

9: Jimmy Smith, CB: Colorado

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies makes a reception against the defense of Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado

If the Texans are unable to land one of the top two cornerbacks in the first round, Smith is steadily rising on draft boards and would make an excellent second round pick.

Smith was quietly one of the best cornerbacks in the Big 12, a conference known for pass-happy offenses.

Smith would be a guy that could be an upgrade at cornerback for the Texans.

7: J.J. Watt, DE: Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Another great defensive end, J.J. Watt is a high character player that would fit well in the Texan organization. 

He has a motor that never stops and has probably the highest developmental potential among all defensive ends in the draft.

A hard worker with solid fundamentals, Watts would be a great complement to Mario Williams.

6: Adrian Clayborn, DE: Iowa

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by

Another great defensive end in a draft that is loaded with them, Clayborn would be a great player for the Texans and could really sure up their defensive line.

Clayborn is slipping in most mock drafts simply because of a poor senior season, but still remains one of the best defensive ends in this year’s draft.

Clayborn will most likely be available when the Texans draft and would be a great pick if the top two cornerbacks are gone.

5: Robert Quinn, DE: North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

Another great complement to Mario Williams, Robert Quinn would be a nice addition to the Texans’ defensive line. 

A powerful and agile pass rusher, Quinn would give opposing offensive tackles fits.

Many teams are hesitant with Quinn because of his off-field troubles in college, but from a pure on-field standpoint, he would be good for the Texans’ defense.

4: Prince Amukamara, CB: Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver T.J. Moe #28 of the Missouri Tigers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln

If Patrick Peterson is already off the board when the Texans draft, Prince Amukamara is a very nice pick with not much drop off in talent. 

While he may not have the pure athletic ability of Peterson, Amukamara has the skills and ability to be a Pro Bowl cornerback and would definitely be an upgrade to a terrible Texans secondary.

3: Da'Quan Bowers, DE: Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers against Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bowers is a player that Phillips would love to have if he were available or if the Texans decided to trade up. 

Very similar to DeMarcus Ware, Bowers has the speed to beat most tackles in the NFL, along with the power to agility to shed blocks against the run.

Playing opposite of Mario Williams would create nightmares for opposing offensive lines.

2: Patrick Peterson, CB: LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers nearly intercepts a pass in the final seconds against Markeith Summers #16 and Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels as time expired at Tiger Stadium on November

The Texans had one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL in 2010, and any draft pick in the secondary would probably improve the defense, but none more than LSU’s Patrick Peterson.

The chances of Peterson being available when the Texans draft at No. 11 are slim, but if he happened to slide, this would be a no-brainer.

1: Von Miller, OLB – Texas A&M

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Von Miller of Texas A&M works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Again, this is a long shot as Von Miller is projected to be picked long before the Texans draft at No. 11, but a local talent of this magnitude would be impossible to pass on.

Wade Phillips’ defenses are always centered around great defensive ends/outside linebackers, so this would be a dream come true for Phillips and the Texans.