The Houston Texans have one goal in the upcoming draft: get a top wide receiver. The team currently has All-Pro Andre Johnson and they are looking for another option to pair up next to him. The Texans are trying to create a reliable receiving core, something they have lacked in recent years. They are currently considering Justin Hunter and Robert Woods as their best options, but general manager Rick Smith is not afraid to trade down for a mid-draft option.
The Houston Texans will make their first selection at No. 27. Smith said in the team's pre-draft conference that their struggles at wide receiver have been well-documented and they want a consistent player. Houston ranked 11th in pass offense last season, mainly due to Johnson. They had 46 receptions of 20 yards or more, half of them were caught by Johnson. The Texans drafted DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin, both neither player developed into a starter right away. They also cut Kevin Walter, leaving Johnson as the main contributor. At 32, he says he would welcome the help.
"I don't have a problem with having more help. It makes your team more explosive, makes your team much better. The injury to Posey really hurt us, but I think we can get another guy and with him, Keshawn and Lestar, it'd probably the best group since I've been here," Johnson said.
Smith says that while they are impressed with targets like Hunter and Woods who are considered two of the top receivers in the draft, he is not afraid to trade down and get a receiver in a later round. Johnson was a third-round pick so the team is aware talent remains in later rounds.
"In this draft there are a lot of players that we like in the mid-rounds and I think some players that can impact your football team. I think maybe we've had one draft since I've been here that I didn't execute a trade. We are always open to trades, moving up and moving back. We've done that and are certainly are willing and open to doing that again this year as well," Smith said.
While the Texans could get Hunter in the second round, Woods will likely be gone by the first round, along with options like Tavon Austin. If the team wants the best, using their first-round pick is the best option.
