2011 NFL Mock Draft: Houston Texans' 7-Round Mock Draft
The Houston Texans and their high powered offense exploded out of the gate last season winning three of their first four games. Behind Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, Gary Kubiak's squad looked like it was finally playoff bound. Super Bowl contention may have not even been out of the question.
Seven weeks later, the Texans had lost five out of six games putting themselves in a hole which they weren't able to climb out of. They had missed the playoffs again.
Houston has the talent. They have big names. If new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips can fix a unit that has a number of holes that need to be filled, they'll have a team that can contend for a playoff spot and more.
Here is a seven round 2011 Houston Texans Mock Draft:
1st Round: Aldon Smith (OLB, Missouri)
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With Wade Phillips coming to town, the Texans will change to a 3-4 defense. They'll need multiple pass rushing outside linebackers in the upcoming draft to play in that defense.
They have Connor Barwin, but that's pretty much it. Sorry, but the 295lb. Mario Williams isn't going to play a down at outside linebacker.
Aldon Smith is a freak athlete. The Missouri defensive end came out a year earlier than expected so there hasn't been as much hype surrounding his name.
He would've been a lock top 15 pick next year, but after a great pro day, his stock has risen enough to be worthy of a selection at number 11.
2nd Round: Brandon Harris (CB, Miami)
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The Texans pass defense was the very worst in the NFL last season, surrendering 267.5 yards a game through the air. You're not going to blame a pass rush that includes Mario Williams are you?
Their secondary was atrocious. Kareem Jackson showed some promise at cornerback, but they must find a replacement opposite of him.
Brandon Harris was once a candidate to go to the Detroit Lions early in the first round, but his stock fell a little late in his senior season. Combine that with Colorado's Jimmy Smith passing him on draft boards, and Harris could fall to the Texans on draft day.
The National Football Post predicts that he'll be able to become a starter in his rookie season.
3rd Round: Kenrick Ellis (NT, Hampton)
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The Texans need a nose tackle for their new 3-4 defense.
Kenrick Ellis is a monster at 6'5", 346lbs. I'm sure DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing would love having him in front of them demanding double teams.
Ellis isn't an unathletic, overweight player like Terrence Cody was last year either. He ran a 5.19 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine.
He obviously has the physical tools. If he can put it altogether in terms of work ethic and technique, he'll be a starter in this league.
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4th Round: DeAndre McDaniel (SS, Clemson)
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The Texans need multiple upgrades for their embarrassing secondary. After a rough season, Glover Quin will move from cornerback to free safety so that safety spot is addressed, for now.
A strong safety is still needed because Bernard Pollard struggled mightily in coverage last year.
DeAndre McDaniel is a talented prospect who will fall in the draft for multiple reasons.
After a junior season where he looked dominant recording eight interceptions, he followed up with a less impressive senior season where he recorded four. McDaniel also only ran a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
He was also arrested for assault and battery in 2008 after reportedly beating up his girlfriend.
5th Round: Stephen Burton (WR, West Texas A&M)
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With Kevin Walter not having the athletic ability to strike fear in the hearts of defenses and Jacoby Jones never breaking out, the Texans could use an upgrade at wide receiver across from Andre Johnson.
The fifth round is probably too late to find one so they might as well go for the home run.
Stephen Burton is a major sleeper that definitely has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He has good size at 6'1" 224lbs. He has a 35 inch vertical, but he's no pure possession receiver.
Burton recorded a 4.38 40 time at his pro day along with a 1.46 in the 10 yard split.
6th Round: Steven Friday (OLB, Virginia Tech)
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Even after selecting Aldon Smith, the Texans could still use more depth at outside linebacker.
Steven Friday is a one-year wonder with very little experience, but he's talented for a late round prospect.
He recorded nine sacks last season for the Hokies. He's 6'4" and can add a little more weight to his 252lb. frame. Friday also ran a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
He's not much of a force in the running game, but he has the explosiveness to be a quality situational pass rusher at the next level.
7th Round: Lawrence Marsh (DE, Florida)
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Again, Houston must find more personnel for their 3-4 defense. They could afford to add some depth to the defensive line.
Lawrence Marsh has the size to be a 3-4 defensive end at 6'5", 305lbs. He's an athletic player for his size as well.
He'll be drafted late or even go undrafted after a college career plagued with injuries.
An ankle injury hampered him throughout the 2009 season. After the season he had abdominal surgery. This past December he had surgery on his hip.
If he can overcome his injured past he has the talent to become a solid rotational lineman for the Texans.
7th Round: Ryan Donahue (P, Iowa)
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Matt Turk will be 43 next season and he's a free agent. The Texans must find a replacement this offseason.
Ryan Donahue is one of the top punters in the upcoming draft.
He averaged a whopping 44.6 yards a boot in 2010. This could be a mistake, but according to ESPN, his net average was also an impressive 44.6 yards.
David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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