The 2013-14 NFL season is now completely finished, after the Super Bowl which took place on February 3. It's all out of our system now, well, except Seattle fans of course. Other than them, NFL fans now have to wait a few months before they can start diving into even thinking about next season. But one team that can now start planning into next season as of this week, the Houston Texans.
With such high expectations going into this season, the Texans managed to win only two game all season. But now, that's over with and a thing of the past, and as the old saying goes "what's done is done". right? However, with the NFL combine just a little over two weeks away, the Texans should start looking over all of there weakest points going into the off-season. It's clear they have a lot of key pieces to build around already, with players such as: (running back) Arian Foster, (Wide Receivers) Andre Johnson and Deandre Hopkins, (linebacker) Brian Cushing, and of course (defensive lineman) J.J "the swat" Watt. These are a couple of good building blocks to have, but there's still one question. Do you build around the offense more or defense?
The Houston Texans over the past four seasons have been known mostly for their defense, that's what's gotten them to the playoffs in previous years. Really it's what helped them to make a name for themselves in the AFC, and NFL for that matter. But we also know that when their offense is doing bad, well, it's pretty bad. Not a shot at Matt Schaub but, seems like he's thrown more to the other team than he did his own this season. In 2013, Matt Schaub had 10 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions before getting benched for second year pro, Case Keenum.
With the combine beginning at the end of February, I think it's a couple of guys that will and should be getting more attention from the Texans. The focus of the Texans in the combine should be going to, (QB) Teddy Bridgewater, (QB) Johnny Manziel, (DE) Jadaveon Clowney, (LB) Anthony Barr. These are all guys that will have an impact on the field from day one, in my opinion. I believe that these guys can all be great players at the NFL level. I remember they had the same problem in 2006. Everyone thought they were going to take (RB) Reggie Bush, instead they took (DE) Mario Williams and it actually worked out in their favor in the long run. I think that Clowney would benefit them more, they would be pairing him with Watt, and if Clowney performs up to his potential it could be the most dominating defensive line in the NFL. However, if they take either QB, Manziel or Bridgewater, maybe you satisfy your No.1 receiver, Andre Johnson, who seemed to have had a slight issue with the current QB's on the roster. After all, Johnson did walk off the field at the end a game this season, after a sideline altercation with Schaub. I think about this too, they could go for the "reach" and draft the unexpected choice, Anthony Barr. He's a very athletic player, he can play either OLB or MLB, but he can rush the passer, cover on the flats and even would be a good match-up for guys like Jimmy Graham, Greg Olsen, Martellus Bennett. With Brian Cushing seeing his season cut short in the past two, drafting a young explosive LB might not be such a bad idea. Another possibility for this Texans team would be to trade back from the No.1 spot. Like I noted before they already have some key pieces to work around, it's no point to use a pick that you could trade a couple of spots back for and possibly acquire more draft picks as well, which would only help add more depth to your team. If they could trade back to around the No.8-14 spot and pick up a third round pick in the deal, that would be like striking gold on draft day. You could still get a highly talented guy from your draft board and then add on to that later in the draft, helping to take care of some position needs and also helps the organization go younger.
The Houston Texans still have a little over two weeks before the combine and just over two months before the NFL draft. I don't know what they're going to do but, I do know they have a big decision to make. 2013 was a big let down for the fans and i'm sure the players as well. will 2014 be the year that they turn this thing back around? I don't know, but i'm sure ready to find out. They have a new Head Coach in Bill O'Brien from Penn State University. What will his first drafter player be? will he go with one of the guys I mentioned? or will he trade back from the No.1 spot?
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