Editor’s note [Thanks to reader Dan who helped me realize one error... which led me to realize many other errors with the original draft of this post]
Here are the safeties the Texans have drafted in their franchise history:
2008: Dominique Barber, 6th round
2005: C.C. Brown, 6th round
2005: Brandon Harrison, 5th round
2004: Glenn Earl, 4th round
2004: Jammal Lord, 6th round
2003: Curry Burns, 7th round
2002: Ramon Walker, 5th round
You can see why the team has suffered from below-average safety play since the beginning. Sure, you can fill holes with low picks and free agents, but it should be no surprise why it’s been a struggle at the position all these years. I’m not saying the team should be criticized for not taking a first-rounder, but come on – maybe at least a third-rounder at some point? You can only coach a guy up so much… you’ve got to get some natural talent back there.
I’m working off-and-on on a seven-round mock draft for the Texans, and the position that’s giving me the most trouble is safety, specifically – free safety. I had firmly jumped on the Taylor Mays bandwagon before all the players declared for the draft, but he probably wouldn’t have lasted to #15 anyway.
Eugene Wilson is probably giving the Texans the best safety play they’ve had in their franchise history, and looking at this draft class – you can see why GM Rick Smith has actually said publicly that the team would do their best to re-sign him.
There’s not a lot of mid-round talent at the safety position this year, at least not from what I’ve read so far. Louis Delmas, Rashad Johnson, and Sean Smith (who I see projected as a cornerback, but I still think is more of a free safety) may or may not still be on the board at #46 (probably not), but if they aren’t, there’s not much to be excited about after that.
Patrick Chung and William Moore are highly-rated, despite Moore’s recent decline – but they’re strong safeties, and the Texans are more in need of a good coverage free safety. The coaches seem to love SS Dominique Barber, so I wouldn’t anticipate them looking to fill a gap there. I think there’s a fairly good chance that Barber actually begins 2009 as the starting strong safety.
I’d be fine with spending a 2nd-round pick on a safety. Obviously all players need coaching to improve, but how about we START with a guy who has the intangibles and instincts in place, but needs to have his technique refined. Guys like that don’t often go past the third round. Delmas, Johnson, and Smith might fit that mold, (in their case, they won’t last past the second) but they’re not exactly “can’t miss” prospects like many of us think Mays would have been.
Apparently next year’s draft will have a strong safety class at the top end, so maybe the Texans should hold off another year and get their free safety of the future next year in the first or second round. I’d love to drop the parenthetical from the headline of this post – but it looks like the Texans won’t have the opportunity to get one of the potential impact guys in the second round, and obviously none of the names above are near worth the pick at #15.
I actually hate the idea of shaping your draft based on who might be coming out the following year, but for the sake of discussion, it’s worth putting it out there.
Seems to me, the Texans can re-sign Eugene Wilson and fill any potential empty spots with undrafted free agents or veterans… OR, they can take one of these three potential second-round guys providing they check out at the Combine and in their interviews (and assuming they are on the board, which I doubt).
With all the needs the Texans have, they of course could pass on any of the three above mentioned names even if they do last until #46. Who knows what DTs, OLBs, or DEs might be available there, and of course we really have no idea what they’re going to do at #15. It’s all up in the air. I just would like to see them make an early-round commitment to a free safety, because despite which GM regime we’re talking about – the standard operating procedure to this point is not working for the safety position.
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Feb 16, 2009 at 18:44:27
Not that it changes your point at all, but Brandon Harrison should be on that list of drafted safeties too. He was a 5th round pick 2 years ago.
I also hate looking forward to next years draft depth at positions. So much can change in a year. For example, a year ago people thought that this would be a great draft for safeties in the top of the draft. But then Rolle and Mays don’t declare, and Moore’s draft stock plummets.
I think that SS is a bigger need than FS. Wilson is a good stop gap at FS, but we have nothing worth starting SS.
Feb 16, 2009 at 20:16:11
@Dan,
Thanks – I also realized another error – I went here: NFL Draft History and quickly realized I was looking only for S, FS, and SS – and I left out DB.
So, I fixed that. Thanks for the heads-up. I can’t believe I forgot Harrison. Sheesh.
Feb 16, 2009 at 20:42:30
Also – I think we definitely have a need for a FS. Wilson is a short-term fix. Barber, while only a 6th-rounder, has shown some promise and the coaches do speak very highly of him. You can kind of read between the lines with Kubiak on players when he talks about them, and I think his praise of Barber is genuine… plus, he did shoot way up the depth chart toward the end of the year.
Anyway – I’m not nuts about about Chung or any of the SS guys. If I should be, someone please tell me.
Feb 16, 2009 at 23:42:08
I’ll post this question here and let it simmer.
We’re talking about 2nd round picks, and you guys know I am all about Tyson Jackson @ #15 (more and more draftniks including John McClain are making it clear that the Texans can’t trade down and keep Tyson)
How would you feel about the Texans trading next year’s first-round pick to the Eagles for their second round 2010 pick and the #28 pick which we use to draft Clint Sintim.
This draft class has no SAM prospects besides Cushing (durability/character issues) and Sintim. It’s a big risk, yes, but Jackson and Sintim – assuming pan out – would be an immediate super-upgrade on our strong side.
Then, we draft a safety in the third round, either Rashad Johnson or Chip Vaughn, depending on whether you think we need an FS or an SS. I say Vaughn, because why does Eugene Wilson have to be short-term? Because he’s 29? This team needs some veteran leadership, and Demeco and Dunta, though doubling down on leadership, are barely veterans themselves.
Let me know how y’all feel about the possible Sintim trade. I would think the Eagles, already boasting a first round pick, would be game to make this move again (they did a similar deal to allow the Panthers to draft Jeff Otah. I’d say it worked out for both teams, since both made the playoffs)
Feb 17, 2009 at 00:40:43
@kyle
I don’t think Sintim will last to 28, for the reasons you talked… SAMs are hard to come by, and I bet more teams are a bit timid about Cushing’s issues than people think.
Even so – I don’t want to lose a first round pick next year. Who knows – we might be one player away from a deep playoff run.
As far as a safety in the third – I don’t know who that would be. No way Rashad lasts to the third unless he tanks the Combine… and the mid-round safety crop is weak this year, I think. Right now I don’t see anyone who would be an upgrade over what we have now.
I think the Texans need to put up or shut up. Spend a high pick on a safety, or just stick with what you have or get some (more) low, cheap safety picks or veteran FAs to fill the holes. I just don’t see a whole lot of mid-round safety talent up there (at this point anyway.)
How long-term do you think Eugene Wilson can be? He’s good – but he’s not great. He just seems great because we’ve had such horrible safety play. I think he’s above average, but I think the right guy in the second round could do just as well, and maybe even be better by the end of the season.
I’m also not a Tyson Jackson fan. I’d love to somehow pick up Sintim, but when paired with Jackson, meh. I’d rather get Michael Johnson.
Feb 17, 2009 at 09:23:29
I’m concerned that Michael Johnson is not bulky enough to be a good right end.
Also, I have this vision of drafting Jackson in the 1st and Phillip Hunt (sleeper) in the 6th. Hunt is a true right end, but imagine if:
In run situations, we have Super Mario, Travis Johnson, Amobi, and Tyson Jackson in…
…and in obvious pass situations, we switch it up and put Phillip Hunt (as quick as any other right end) on the right, Tyson Jackson on the nose, Amobi on the inside, and Mario switches over to the left. With the tight end going out on a pass route (I DID say obvious pass situations), suddenly the LT is facing a smaller defender who can shed the block, the center is facing a nose tackle who is actually trying to break into the backfield instead of just hogging two gaps, and the right tackle is suddenly facing an All-Pro 290-pound monster (and swiftly craps his pants). Every single offensive lineman would find himself facing a drastically different opponent, and I would think this would lead to some major sack-age.
Anyway, maybe I don’t know enough about football to know if that would actually work, but it seems like that would be a ridiculously aggressive pass rush, and that’s why I draft Phillip Hunt over Sammie Lee Hill (a sleeper nose tackle, but wasn’t Frank Okam?) in the 6th of my mocky mock.
P.S. I’m not saying reach for him, but if he’s available at a value pick like 4th or 5th round, do we pull the trigger on Pat White? He looked good in the Senior Bowl, and he could single-handedly upgrade the backup QB position, the #3 Wideout position (Andre Davis ANd Jacoby Jones all took a step back, and I get this funny feeling David Anderson is deluded enough to try and make big money somewhere else) AND give us a chance to get in on all this Wildcat brouhaha that the whole NFL is adopting.
Feb 17, 2009 at 09:53:53
Chris,
We do need a long term FS option but this is not the year to draft one in the 1st. I’m thinking they forget FS in this year’s draft all together and draft 2 DE with the first three picks. Trade down and get Michael Johnson (GT) late in the 1st (or just get him @ 15), Robert Ayers (TU) in the 2nd or Brandon Williams (TTU) in the 3rd. All good value. And the round we don’t get a DE with one of those three, we need to get the best value for a LB or DT. But this draft for the Texans is very critical with what they do in the 1st. What do you think? I find it funny that after last year, everyone is fascinated with trading down now and getting more picks. Myself included. But doesn’t it seem like forever since we been able to talk about having a 2nd round pick?
Feb 17, 2009 at 10:00:54
KD, why would we draft 2 DEs so early? Mario is an every down DE and if we use our 1st round pick on one then I hope he is too. Then we can rotate in Bulman and Cochran to give them a rest. We have enough needs that we dont have the luxury of getting a rotational DE in the 3rd.
Feb 17, 2009 at 10:24:10
Because those players have reached there full potential and having two young DEs (one starter) could be good for the team. Especially on passing downs where you can bring both of them in off the edge and put Mario and Amobi in the middle. Something like Tuck, Strahan and Osi. They didn’t seem to have a problem having 3 pro Bowl DEs on their squad. But you are right about having other needs but me and you both know that a good pass rush and penetration can make life easier for the rest of the Defense.
Feb 17, 2009 at 12:43:45
I dont want to move Mario to the inside on passing situations. If our first round pick was spent on a DE like Tyson Jackson then I wouldnt mind drafting a pass rush specialist in the 4th or 5th round and then moving Jackson to DT in passing situations. Or if we drafted a Michael Johnson type DE in the first then I woudlnt mind drafting a 280 lb DT/DE late for pass rushing situations. But 2 in the top 3 rounds is too many for me when considering our other needs.
Feb 17, 2009 at 13:46:38
Nowhere have I suggested we should take a safety in the first. Not this year. If Mays was available, sure – but this crop? It would be cause for rioting.
Feb 17, 2009 at 14:19:44
i know you havent. I’m agrreing with you. I’m saying we stay away from safety this whole draft and see what we can get out of Wilson and Barber next year.
Feb 17, 2009 at 14:26:51
I gotcha. I should have been more clear though – really, I think it’s 2nd round or bust this year. Nobody else is going to start, and why sink mid-round money into a guy who isn’t any better than what we have?
Feb 17, 2009 at 14:51:01
That’s so true. I just really hope we seriously address our pass rush and dont think we can fill in with career backups and low round picks.
Feb 17, 2009 at 16:02:54
I agree with you Chris. I think in the second round, Delmas, Rashad Johnson, Sean Smith, or Chung (Chung is more FS than SS at the next level), would all be good safety choices.
However, if we go DE in round 1, in round 2, if there is Ron Brace (6’3 330 DT), do we chase him or the FS of the future? Also, doesn’t our current best safety on the roster, Eugene Wilson, play FS? I understand he is a stop gap solution, but I don’t know if Barber is the solution at SS.
In my mind, we only take a safety if Rick Smith absolutely falls in love with one. In the second, we could grab Clay Mathews or Tyrone Mckenzie, Ron Brace, Robert Ayers, or any of the safeties.
Sigh, well, it all depends on how it plays out before us, as I feel we go BDPA for round 1-4 at least.
All I know is that I agree that we need competent safety play. How that will be accomplished, I don’t know.
Feb 17, 2009 at 16:58:52
no DE worth the pick at 15, so lets take cushing,
1 – cushing
2 – ayers
3 – delmas
4 – B willimas tt DE
5 – gatrell johnson
6 – best OL or DT
we get 2 DE’s, slatons new tandem partner, a beast at OLB, and possibly a starting safety.
and if yall think im a round off, then
1 – cushing
2 – delams
3 – williams
4 – g johnson
5 – o line or DT
Feb 17, 2009 at 17:01:46
@ Allen
Wow. When I post my mock draft soon, you’re going to think I was stealing from you. LOL
Feb 17, 2009 at 17:10:44
cushing highlights – looks pretty good to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJt9hrRbMg
Feb 17, 2009 at 17:38:02
Im sure there are players whom none of us even know anything about, but man would this draft class be a special one if all the dominoes fell the right way
BTW – im not a huge michael johnson fan, but i can see why people like him for the texans
Feb 17, 2009 at 18:43:27
Surely at some point the Texans do need a legitimate coverage free safety, a center fielder. But since this seems to be the non cornucopia year for one after Jason Babin and Travis Johnson, I think we can all agree that we don’t want to reach on another player of need. In spite of how much McClain and draftniks think Tyson Jackson is a 3-4 only defensive end, I don’t like that kind of inside the box thinking. Can it really hurt to have 4 300 lb defensive linemen, 3 of which are kinda quick gap shooting tackles? Is Tyson Jackson so slow that he’s got a turtle behind him pushing him into the backfield with a snail behind the turtle? If we can’t get a linebacker that deserves to be drafted at 15, and we can’t trade back, what’s so wrong with just taking Jackson and letting the Smithiak works it’s later round magic? Is Jackson not motivated? He played for LSU and he’ll probably fit right in to a Texans camp. Hell Texas and Louisiana might as well be welded together at the Sabine river. Oh wait he’s 10 pounds over the 4-3 defensive end weight he can’t possibly play defensive end in the 4-3 he has to be a 3-4 defensive end everybody says so, and this is why kids go into middle school convinced they can’t do math.
I suggest, just for the sake of opinion, that we take the best of the best in round 1 and 2, try to fill needs on defense, and see who has talent but got passed over in rounds 3 to 7, which is probably exactly what the Texans will do, if they can’t trade back and get the right extra picks.
Feb 17, 2009 at 20:52:28
Everyone is talking about how weak the safety class is this year…THAT’S WHY WE TRADE UP FOR SINTIM!
Sorry. Let me get back to my rational voice.
Here’s my idea, and stick with me because I incorporate some preliminary info from Walterfootball.com’s 2010 draft class.
First off, this year, we draft Tyson Jackson at 15. (and enjoy the second straight year that we draft the exact player the San Diego chargers want RIGHT BEFORE them).
Second, we trade #46 to Philly for #28 and we swap our 2010 first rounder for their 2nd rounder. We draft Clint Sintim, the best SAM in the draft class that doesn’t have other issues (Cushing is better on the field but there is too much drama surrounding him for McNair to give him a chance). So far, I think Sintim lands there because the only team that has been mocked to take Sintim ahead of 28 is New England, and I think they’d take Aaron Maybin over Sintim. So, let’s just assume that this is possible.
We take the second round off (I personally think Kubiak’s mid-round success can be linked to extensive preparation time in the second round, lol)
Day 2, we draft Pat White in the 3rd round. He will simultaneously compete with Alex Brink and David Anderson for their spots, and provide us an avenue of approach into the Wildcat formation. After all, if White and Slaton can lead West Virginia to a BCS Bowl, they can probably have some fun in Houston.
4th through 7th we get BPA, whatever. We all have our late-round gems. And, of course Gartrell Johnson somewhere in there.
We go through this season with a beefed up strong side helping to take away some of the heat off of Super Mario, and with an ever scarier offense with the additions of White and Johnson. I think this team is good enough to make the playoffs.
BUT THE FUN DOESN’T STOP THERE!!!
Next year, with our 2 second round picks, we draft…
…drumroll…
1. Vince Oghobaase – DT – a 310-pound run AND pass stuffer who chose Duke over football factory schools AND went to Alief Hastings high school, proving high intelligence, character, and a strong desire to make the Texans a Super Bowl team.
2. Shane Carter – FS – Wisconsin free safety who had 7 INTs as a sophomore (similiar to Alphonso Smith and at SAFETY), runs a sick 40 time and has prototypical size. If this cat can’t beat out Eugene Wilson by the end of the preseason, then I will be the first to say GO COWBOYS!
See? It’s not so scary to lose the 2010 first round pick. Besides, raise your hand if you are 100% confident that Andy Reid couldn’t send his Eagles into a meltdown season where we are picking in the Top 40.
P.S. If you don’t want Sintim, then call your congressman and have them order Kubiak to sign Rashad Jeanty. He’s been the starting SAM for Cincinnati for a year or two, he’s only 26, and, since he’s an undrafted rookie, there should not be a problem with the fact that he is RFA, except that we have to give him a mil or two over what Cincy would pay and/or throw some posion pills in his contract (sorry, I just learned what that meant, and I HAD to use it)
Feb 18, 2009 at 01:36:15
Scott Wright of Draft Countdown, who is apparently pretty well thought of, proposes that Tyson Jackson might be a good candidate to play three technique DT. His weakness at DE is pass rushing, but he might be an effective pass rusher from the DT position.
Feb 18, 2009 at 05:17:15
@kozanack
that makes drafting phillip hunt in the 6th all the more enticing (see my previous comment describing hunt and mario on the outside and jackson and okoye inside all terrorizing the QB on pass downs with Travis Johnson and Anthony Weaver watching and saying, ‘Oh THAT’S what Jethro meant when he said PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK!’)
Feb 18, 2009 at 05:42:08
That’s an interesting idea Kyle. I don’t understand how someone can be an effective pass rusher from the defensive tackle position but not effective from the left defensive end position where you usually have a tight end on you also. You would think it would be easier to deal with a tight end and tackle instead of a tackle and guard. I mean what’s the difference between 3 gap and 4 gap 1 yard, 3 feet?
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/Tyson-Jackson.php