At his end of season press conference Gary Kubiak stated that Secondary, Runningback and Oline will be the top concerns in the offseason. However he would not discuss obviously where he would seek the help needed.

I agree that those are the top needs. I am not sure how they address these holes either. My thoughts are that in the draft they will look at it the exact same way that they have the last 2 years and just take BPA. It has seemed to work very well so far. As far as Free agency is concerned, They have plenty of options but I dont think they will make a big splash like some people seem to want.

Thoughts?

One would have to believe that they will select either Mendenhall or Stewart in Round 1 and some tackle help in Round 3.

The thing I'm waiting to find out is which of their speedy return men get an extension since both Jerome Mathis and Andre Davis are FA's, and they still have Jacoby Jones.

O-Line and RB r the main areas of concern. I'm also not sold on the secondary.

I think most Texans fans would disagree if Sam Baker or Clady is available, we need a LT if Charles Spencer is still a ? and there is no reason to think that he's not one.

As far as the returner situation is concerned, Mathis is a RFA so I am betting that they put at leasta low tender on him. Davis is going to get re-signed he showed alot more in his complete game than Mathis ever has.

I doubt the Texans will take a RB in the first round especially with the injury to D-Rob, if McFadden was there sure but we all know that is not going to happen so they will try and get O-Line and secondary help.

As far as Mathis I think it is safe to say he is gone after two injury filled seasons, Andre` Davis is not just a return man he is a good WR who is developing inot exceptional.

I see what you are saying. While I would not mind seeing a LT in the first and I think it's a possibility, I think that it will come down to BPA out of those 3 positions, so I wouldn't completely cross out a RB in the 1st.

As far as secondary, I am betting that they will go after a guy in FA to fill in for D-Rob, Maybe Florence from San Diego. Just a thought.

What is the status of Dunta Robinson at this point? He could miss time next year?

Whatever happened to Domanick Davis or as I've heard, Domanick Williams now? Is he still on the team or in the league?

He will definantly miss time next year. He had 2 injuries on his leg. Torn ACL and hamstring torn off the bone happened on the same play. His recovery is coming along and he is really attacking this thing with the same intensity that he plays on the field. I think he MIGHT be back after wk 6 but I am betting after wk 9. This is just a guess though.

He is out of the league. He has a bone on bone knee condition.

Aside from the obvious the Texans are going to need to add a few more pieces, and I am sure that they can get 2 of them in the later rounds.

1st-space eating DT- BJ Raji comes to mind here.
2nd- speed rusher opposite Mario Williams for 3rd downs or long yardage. No clue who that is though.

Thoughts?

Florence is a solid CB, who would not just be a "fill-in" for you. He just happened to lose out to a young superstar in the making in Cromartie on San Diego. He was having a good year himself this year. He takes some chances, but he can cover. He's young, coming into his prime, and would be a fine addition to your defense, especially if Robinson comes back full strength.

I doubt that they'll use even one day 1 pick on a D-Lineman. They already used 2 top 10 picks on D-Lineman in the past 3 years, which have tunred out successfully.

I like Felix over both Stewart and Mendenhall, although Mendenhall did impress me against my Trojans. I also think they should pick a guy like Clady or Baker over a RB in the 1st rd.

I better rephrase. those were 2 options for later rounds as 1 and 2 options not 1st and 2nd rounds

So I want to hear some late round options for the Texans in the draft. 4th thru 7th. Possible position options are NT, WLB, C, S, and Pass Rush Specialist. The onlt name that I could think of was BJ Raji at NT. So lets hear some options.

CB Orlando Scandrick has just declared and should be going in the mid rounds. A safety who I really like who could play SS or Free would be Tyrell Johnson AK St.

U mentioned Raji though, who will probably go on Day 1.

In order of need, I think the Texans could use a playmaker at FS, a DE opposite Williams, a LT, a RB, and a WLB. I know a lot of people have Kenny Phillips going in the top 10-12, but he shouldn't go before 15-20 at best. I don't know if he'll fall to you, but if so, he would be someone to target with the 18th pick.

I don't think Phillips will fall there, as he is the obvious pick for the Panthers. He's head and shoulders above all of the other safeties in this draft.

I understand, although I don't quite see FS as the biggest need for Carolina. I was just stating that he's not, IMO, one of the top 15 players in the draft. However, with the dearth of safeties in the draft, he will likely go higher than he should, if you taking BPA. Denver picks before Carolina, and they definitely need a FS. I think Carolina's needs are more pressing at WR to take some pressure off of Smith. There's also a rumor that Mike Rucker is retiring, so they'll need a DE too. FS is, IMO, no better than 3rd on their need list.

Well, they used a day 1 pick on Jarrett last year, so I don't think they'll use a 1st rounder on a WR.

I didnt realize he was a possible 1st day pick. Is he a fringe 1st day guy? I think he goes in the 4th. There are a pretty decent amount of quality DT's in the draft(for once) But if he isnt there on the 2nd day, that will suck sice there doesnt seem to be any space eaters that are going to fall.

I pretty much agree with that list except the fact that you left CB off there. And a LT may be more pressing than a speed rusher but really They are all almost of equal importance. Which can be a good thing. It helps because the Texans can truly go BPA and fill a need at the same time. It is nice to be able to do that. If Kenny Philips were to drop that would be really sweet, but i dont see it happening.

And with those needs you have to wonder where they are going to fill them. I think at least CB will be filled in FA, and possibly RB as well but I dont really see anyone that I would like to see in a Texans uniform that isnt gonna break the bank.

I am personally starting to lean toward LT in the 1st Rd. Now that RB is going to be so deep there are several guys that will be there in the 3rd that would look really good in Gibbs ZBS.

Now, you gotta wonder who is going to be there in the 1st at LT. Probably Sam Baker and he seems to have the right frame for the ZBS. And Chris Williams would be great. He would be my first choice.

Well, one thing you can take away from this draft if nothing else is the Texans filled needs with every pick in the draft (except the 7th round). I think there are several people that didnt understand Duane Brown in the 1st but it appears that he was way up on most teams draft boards and the TExans were not willing to move any further back in the draft due to fear of losing him. We will see. In his defense Alex Gibs apparently hand picked the guy so that holds some weight.

You can say what you want about day 1 for ther Texans but day 2 was very strong in my opinion. Antuan Molden-CB and Steve Slaton-RB in the 3rd was great. Filled needs and got real good value from both selections.

I didnt think Adibi would be there in the 4th and he may end up as the WLB starter by "09. Very Solid

5th- Frank Okam-DT was a bit of a suprise as I had heard an interview of Frank Bush D-line coach talking about how they didnt want a stuffer in the middle of the line. I guess he was just blowing draft smoke. All though he seemed very sincere and the higher ups may have just over ruled him on that one. I like it because it can potentially open Amobi Okoye up to run free on the D-line.

6th- Dominic Barber-S Barber is an interesting pick and I thought the value was ok. They could have doner better but definantly could have done worse. Kinda slow, but apparently is a pretty good hitter and in the end fils a minor need.

7th- I think they just put a flyer out on a QB that might end up on the Practice squad for a few years. meh. it was fine with me.

Texans 2009 Team Needs.

There are not as many holes to fill as last year and some questions about some players have been answered. Steve Slaton was an awsome suprise for sure. And Xavier Adibi really showed alot of promise at the end of the year before he got dinged up. Zach Diles was pretty good also and was a pretty pleasant suprise at OLB before his injury but he had a really nasty break during training in the middle of the year so who knows how he will make it back. Here is the updated list of priority needs for the Texans '09 draft/FA period.

1. Still looking for that DE opposite Mario Williams. 1st/2nd Round

2. Need a ball hawking Safety 1st/2nd Round or FA

3. Speedy OLB 3rd Round or later. FA

4. Big bruiser RB to pair with Slaton and use in Short yardage/ goal line situations. 3rd rd or later. FA