NFL Breakdowns: Houston Texans

KEY ADDITIONS
Player, Pos., 2009 Team
John David Booty, QB, Minnesota
Danny Clark, LB, N.Y. Giants
Derek Fine, TE, Buffalo
Justin Griffith, FB, Seattle
Neil Rackers, K, Arizona
Wade Smith, G, Kansas City
KEY LOSSES
Player, Pos., 2010 Team
Rex Grossman, QB, Washington
Ryan Moats, RB, Minnesota
Chester Pitts, G, Free agent
Dunta Robinson, CB, Atlanta

HOUSTON IN THE DRAFT
Rd., Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., College
1. Kareem Jackson, CB, 5-11, 192, Alabama
2. Ben Tate, RB, 5-11, 218, Auburn
3. Earl Mitchell, DT, 6-2, 295, Arizona
4. Darryl Sharpton, LB, 6-0, 235, Miami
4. Garrett Graham, TE, 6-3, 250, Wisconsin
5. Sherrick McManis, CB, 6-1, 190, Northwestern
6. Shelley Smith, G, 6-4, 300, Colorado State
6. Trindon Holliday, WR, 5-5, 159, LSU
7. Dorin Dickerson, WR, 6-2, 230, Pittsburgh

Offense:
I like Matt Schaub, I still don't know if he's good or not, but I like him. He had 29 TDs and 15 Ints last year it which seemed like his first healthy season. I don't put him in the level of your Brees, Manning, Brady, Roethlisburger's but I do group him in with other stat machines like Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutlers. Obviously Schaub's best weapon is the silent Andre Johnson. Andre Johnson was double covered all last year and still had his 3rd 100 receptions in 4 years. He's amazing, no one can do anything about it. They also have Jacoby Jones, Andre Davis and pass catching tight end Owen Daniels coming off an ACL Injury. Their most inconsistent position is their RBs, who knows whats going on with Steve Slaton, their second round pick Ben tate is most likely done for their season and I don't have too much faith in Arian Foster. If their is one weakness in this offense, it's RB.

Defense:
The departure of Dunta Robinson and suspension of Matt Cushing is going to cripple this defense for at least 4 weeks, but they did add Kareem Jackson to take Robinsons place. Jackson may be a rookie, but he played in a pro style defense last year in Alabama, he should be well on his way to be a solid playmaker by the end of the year. Mario Williams is still the anchor for the defensive line and when teamed up with Amobi Okoye they are good but should be better than they are. The defense won't match the offense capability and that could be an issue.

Overall:
I like the Texans and I would to say they are going to win the division, but they always end up finishing 8-8 or 9-7. Maybe a wildcard could be in their future, but they are definitely not overthrowing the Colts.

2010 Record: 9-7