AND THE JOB GOES TO...
TEXANS (AGAIN) LOOKING FOR AWARD-WINNING QUARTERBACK. WILL A TROPHY CATCH COME VIA DRAFT, FREE AGENCY OR TRADE?
The next step for the Texans to improve on a 9-7 record that led to the divisional round of the playoffs is this week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis, where they will send their personnel, coaching and medical staffs.
Led by general manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O’Brien, the Texans’ contingent will evaluate the 330 prospects invited to participate in the six-day event at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Smith won’t discuss specific needs in the draft. Much depends on what happens in free agency that begins March 9. The buzz, of course, is quarterback. After signing his four-year, $72 million contract, Brock Osweiler threw 16 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions but still helped the Texans win the AFC South and advance to the divisional round at New England, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Patriots.
During Super Bowl week, owner Bob McNair acknowledged something about Osweiler that everyone knows.
“We need better performance out of that position,” McNair said.
McNair also said the Texans could be “looking at a young quarterback” in the draft, but that depends on who’s available in free agency or if a trade offer interests them.
Smith and O’Brien will evaluate every quarterback who piques their interest — veterans and draft choices.
Tony Romo could become available in free agency. Expect the Texans to check him out. New England may trade Jimmy Garoppolo. Jay Cutler is expected to be released by Chicago.
Right tackle another glaring need
At the combine, the Texans will see the top-three prospects at this point of the evaluation process — Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer.
The next tier includes Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes and Pittsburgh’s Nathan Peterman. Both could shoot up draft boards once NFL teams see more of them.
Miami’s Brad Kaaya and California’s Davis Webb are close behind Mahomes and Peterman.
The Texans have other areas of need besides quarterback. They must improve the right side of the offensive line. Along with quarterback, right tackle is their most glaring need.
The Texans will know a lot more about where they stand with prospects after the combine. But they still have pro days, private workouts and an opportunity to bring in 30 prospects to NRG Stadium for more interviews before the draft. It all starts Wednesday in Indianapolis. “The most important part of the combine is the medical and interview parts,” Smith said last week. “You also get to watch the guys compete with their peers, to see how they interact with guys and how they interact with club personnel.
“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes eval- uations — like how they function in a pressure environment. It’s a comprehensive evaluation opportunity, and we’re paying attention to all of it.”
The Texans finished 9-7 for the third consecutive season under O’Brien. They’ve won back-to-back AFC South titles. They’ve won the division four times in six seasons, but they haven’t advanced beyond the divisional round.
Their goal is to reach the Super Bowl, of course, and they need to improve at quarterback and right tackle, among other positions, to become a legitimate contender for a Lombardi Trophy.
Bouye tops list of 13 to re-sign
The Texans have 13 players who will become unrestricted free agents March 9 if they haven’t re-signed.
Cornerback A.J. Bouye is the most important free agent to bring back. If he leaves, cornerback will become a draft priority but not in the first round. If outside linebacker John Simon doesn’t re-sign, the Texans will have to acquire a replacement.
Other free agents who need to be resigned, if possible, are safety Quintin Demps, punter Shane Lechler, kicker Nick Novak, tight end Ryan Griffin and guard Oday Aboushi.
Once free agency settles, the Texans will have a better idea of what they’ll need in the draft.
Over the last two weeks, the college scouts came to NRG Stadium. The Texans set a preliminary draft board.
“The board’s not set in stone because we have more evaluative opportunities,” Smith said. “The combine’s another piece of the evaluation puzzle.
“The board is fluid and stays that way until right before the draft.”
Then the scouts met with the coaches for what Smith said was “to introduce the draft class to them.”
When they arrive in Indianapolis, the Texans will have a solid foundation on which to work as they analyze, evaluate and consider what players may be available to help them reach their goal of contending for Super Bowl LII.