Jason Lisk of TheBigLead.com recently ran a piece that ranked Gary Kubiak as the worst coach in the NFL. We’ve always kind of liked Kubiak and respected his offensive mind, but the ranking is difficult to dispute. He’s been on the job for five years, and has zero playoff appearances. Kubiak hopes that changes with his defense now under the direction of Wade Phillips.
But Phillips needs some serious, serious help.
LB: The Texans ranked dead last in the league in pass defense last season. Part of it had to do with a secondary that can’t cover. Most of it was because Houston can’t rush the passer. Defensive end Mario Williams is the Texans’ only impact rusher, and few good defenses have just one double-digit sack threat. The Texans barely have two five-sack threats. Connor Barwin is an intriguing prospect, but he didn’t play last year and is coming off serious ankle surgery. We’d love to see what local product Von Miller could do in Phillips’ defense, but he won’t be there at No. 11. So the Texans will likely have to fall back with someone like Aldon Smith of Missouri.
DB: Kubiak and G.M. Rick Smith want to move cornerback Glover Quin to free safety. Trouble is, he was the team’s best corner a year ago, and CB is a considerably more valuable position. First-round pick Kareem Jackson’s confidence was obviously shot in his first season; few NFL corners performed more poorly or provided receivers with more cushion. The Texans have also cut ties with both of their starting safeties, Bernard Pollard and Eugene Wilson, so that too is a need position even with Quin potentially sliding “inside.” Frankly, the defensive backfield is a complete disaster.
NT: Phillips claims confidence that undersized Earl Mitchell can play the nose ala smallish Jay Ratliff, who excelled in Phillips’ scheme with the Cowboys. It’s purely a projection, however, and we suspect the Texans would be hard pressed to pass on Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor if he’s available for them in the second round. This team will really struggle against the run if Mitchell can’t hold up as an every-down lineman. We’re not sure what Mitchell’s weight is now, but he was 6-foot-1, 294 at his Pro Day last year. He didn’t start a game as a rookie.
WR: We covered every level of the defense already. There’s an odd movement in Houston for the Texans to draft Julio Jones if he’s available at No. 11. It’s very hard to imagine them doing so, but behind Andre Johnson the team may be somewhat thin on receivers. Kevin Walter is just a guy, and Jacoby Jones is a free agent. Ultimately, this is a position the Texans can address later in the draft.
Overview: Another need spot is probably fullback, as All-Pro Vonta Leach, a free agent, recently indicated that the Texans won’t be retaining him. He’s one of the best in the business.
The Texans have a great offense. It’s legitimately Super Bowl-caliber. But they need major reinforcements on defense, and they know it. Look for 75-80 percent of Houston’s 2011 draft class to be devoted to defenders, followed by a couple of pricey free agent signings. Whenever those are allowed.
