NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Best Pass Rushers for the Houston Texans' 3-4

The Houston Texans were one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL in 2010, mostly because of a weak secondary.

In the offseason, Houston hired former Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips to take over the defense and try to make drastic improvements.

One thing is for certain: Phillips’ 3-4 defense will get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

In Dallas, Phillips had the luxury of DeMarcus Ware at defensive end.

In Houston, he’ll have Mario Williams, but there are also many potential pass rushers in the 2011 NFL Draft who could act as excellent complements to Williams.

10. Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks quarterback Tevin Washington #13 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

An undersized defensive end, Houston would be perfect for Phillips’ defense as an outside linebacker.

Playing behind Mario Williams would make the transition easier for Houston and would make him better.

Houston has the quickness to make the transition to linebacker, and as a late second-round pick, he would be a great bargain.

Houston has one of the quickest first steps of all pass rushers in the 2011 draft and would make an excellent pass-rushing linebacker for the Texans.

9. Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Smith has one of the best first steps and an extreme amount of success at getting to opposing quarterbacks.

A smaller defensive end at only 255 lbs, Smith could play either defensive end or outside linebacker in Wade Phillips’ defensive scheme.

Smith is projected to go in the middle of the first round, so it may be a good fit for the Texans picking at No. 11.

A decent pick at No. 11, but a great value if the Texans can move back to the 15-to-20 spots through trade.

8. Sam Acho, DE, Texas

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor McHargue #16 of the Rice Owls loses the ball after he is sacked by defensive end Sam Acho #81 of the Texas Longhorns at Reliant Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Texas recovered the fumble and scor

Acho is a guy who will definitely be available for the Texans and could be a great fit for Phillips’ defense.

Although Texas did not have a great season in 2010, Acho lead the defensive line with 59 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks and five forced fumbles.

He is a fast and powerful guy who, while not as good, plays a lot like DeMarcus Ware and would be a great guy for Phillips to teach and develop.

Acho is very intelligent both on and off the field and would be an excellent student for Phillips.

7. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers throws under pressure from Defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn #94 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes as offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 defends during the first half of pl

In a draft class loaded with defensive linemen, Clayborn is very underrated and would be a great player for the Texans.

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.

As a pass rusher, there are not many better in this year’s draft.

Clayborn has the strength to get off of blocks and has a natural knack for staying square at the line.

He has the explosiveness to be an highly effective NFL pass rusher.

6. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 12: Bryce Brown #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers breaks a tackle against Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Im

A great strong-side linebacker in college, Ayers played very fast and was a constant disruption to opposing backfields.

Ayers does not warrant the 11th-overall pick, but if the Texans could find a way to trade to drop back a few picks, Ayers would be a great outside linebacker in the mid-to-late first round.

Having guys like Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye in front of him and playing opposite of Brian Cushing would free him up to play fast and be a ballhawk.

Ayers would be a great compliment to Phillips’ 3-4 defense and could make an immediate impact as a pass rusher, cutting down the time the Texans’ cover guys would have to stay in coverage.

5. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Heyward is a big, but fast, defensive end who would be an excellent compliment to Mario Williams in Wade Phillips’ defense.

Much like Williams, Heyward is freakishly fast for his size and has the strength to manhandle offensive linemen.

Blocking with a tight end or fullback is a waste of time, as he is simply too big and strong.

Projected as a late first-round pick, he may not work with the Texans’ current draft spots, but should they move back in the first or up from the second, he would make an excellent addition.

4. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

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Another great defensive end, J.J. Watt is a high-character player who would fit well in the Texans 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, Watt would be a great compliment to Mario Williams.

Watt has been working with a speed coach since the end of the college football season and with improvement in speed off the line, he could be an extremely productive pass rusher opposite Williams.

Watt has the size to play all positions on the defensive line, but in Phillips’ 3-4, he’d be strictly used as an end.

3. Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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TAMPA - DECEMBER 05: Defensive end Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers pursues quarterback Josh Nesbitt #9 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.

Bowers is a player who 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 and agility to shed blocks against the run.

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

Bowers’ draft stock has been dropping lately and the Texans’ chances of getting him at the No. 11 pick are getting better by the day.

2: 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.

Quinn’s draft stock is on the rise so he may not be available when the Texans pick, but if he is, he is a steal.

Quinn could benefit from being around high-character guys in the Texans organization and if he can grow up and stay out of trouble, he can be a great NFL pass rusher.

1. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

It is highly unlikely that Miller will be around when the Texans’ first pick is up, but purely from a hypothetical standpoint, he would be a great addition to Phillips’ 3-4 defense.

Miller is strong and explosive and will very likely be one of the best players to come out of the 2011 draft class.

Playing in a solid defensive scheme like that of Phillips' will only enhance his abilities, and playing behind Mario Williams will make his job a lot easier as a rookie.