On the Clock: Houston Texans

For the next two weeks leading up to the draft, I am going to assume to roll of each NFL general manager and make draft picks based upon need, scheme, and in some cases wants.  I will not make any trades throughout this process but will chime in when I think one is needed.  Each day leading up to the draft I will make a pick and summarize my thought process of why certain teams will go a particular way.  So put this blog in your favorites section and check back daily to see who I will select for each team.  With the 11^th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select…

DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson (6’3” 280 LBS)

"DQ"

With that transition of our defense to a 3-4 I will need to help acquire some of the positional players that are needed for that system.  Due to some pre-draft issues, DaQuan Bowers falls down the board and out of the top 10 and there is just too much value to pass up at this spot.  He was a potential first overall pick that slips due to some questions about his knee.  Some teams cleared him and some did not.  I guess we were one of the teams to clear him.

"DQ" has the ability to get to the quarterback and can also play the run which forces me to go get him.  I can either play him at the 5 technique DE spot or have him rush from the outside linebacker spot.  With him and Mario Williams on the outside, our pass rush WILL improve. Corner is a huge hole for our team but I will get plenty of value out of the 11^th pick which really doesn’t force me to trade up.

Now in the second round there is going to be value that we need to evaluate.  Stephen Paea could be there as a NT option.  Brandon Harris or Rahim Moore could be added for our defense backfield or maybe Allen Bailey who could be used as a 5 technique DE.

Minnesota is on the clock…