Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams’ offseason needs. Up next is the team with the eighth overall pick in the draft, the Houston Texans.<\/p>\n
2006 Results:<\/b> 6-10, 4th in AFC South
\n2007 Projected Cap Status:<\/b> $89,300,000 <\/p>\n
2006 Season Recap: <\/b><\/p>\n
Following the franchise\u2019s worst record (2-14) in its history, the team turned the head coaching reigns over to Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. With the 1st overall selection, the team had a talented trio to pick from. Would it be Reggie Bush, the talented star running back from USC, Vince Young, the hard nosed scrambler from Texas, or North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams? The Texans faced plenty of scrutiny with their selection of Williams and it didn\u2019t let up much throughout the 2006 regular season. Williams didn\u2019t live up to the hype of a No. 1 overall pick, posting only 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks while starting all 16 games. The team finished last in the AFC South for the fourth time in its five seasons of existence. The defense struggled, ranking 24th by seasons end. The offense also failed to rush for more than 1,700 yards, with Ron Dayne as their top rusher at 612 yards.<\/p>\n
Team Needs: <\/b><\/p>\n
1. Offensive Line \u2013 David Carr continued to get pounded, getting sacked 41 times in 2006. This marks the fourth time in his five seasons in the NFL.<\/p>\n
2. Running Back \u2013 The Texans struggled to find a productive starting running back with Domanick Davis (now Domanick Williams) lost for the season before it even began. The team may go for the best available running back after passing up on Bush in 2006.<\/p>\n
3. Defensive Tackle \u2013 The Texans need to help out defensive ends Anthony Weaver and Williams by providing some assistance on the inside.<\/p>\n
2007 Draft Picks: <\/b>
\n1st Round \u2013 8th Overall
\n2nd Round \u2013 39th Overall
\n3rd Round \u2013 73rd Overall
\n4th Round \u2013 103rd Overall
\n5th Round \u2013 134th Overall
\n6th Round \u2013 168th Overall
\n7th Round \u2013 199th Overall<\/p>\n
Free agency status: <\/b><\/p>\n
UFA: <\/i>
\nT Brad Bedell
\nTE Mark Bruener
\nDT Lional Dalton
\nRB Ron Dayne
\nLB Troy Evans
\nDE N.D. Kalu
\nDT Cedric Killings
\nCB Dexter McCleon
\nDE Antwan Peek
\nLB DaShon Polk
\nLB Wali Rainer
\nT Ephraim Salaam
\nCB Lewis Sanders
\nP Chad Stanley
\nS Michael Stone<\/p>\n
RFA:<\/i>
\nCB Roc Alexander
\nLB Charlie Anderson
\nSS Glenn Earl
\nCB Von Hutchins
\nLB Shantee Orr
\nFB Vonta Leach<\/p>\n
ERFA:<\/i>
\nOG Scott Jackson
\nRB Samkon Gado
\nWR David Anderson
\nWR Derrick Lewis
\nDE Alfred Malone<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"