Why Whoever Goes First Will Have The Better Team In Houston

By Ryan Dunne on February 20, 2014

The Houston Texans hold the number one overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft that will take place in May. Most analysts believe that the Texans should pick a quarterback–either Johnny Manziel or Teddy Bridgewater should be the likely candidates. But in this year’s draft, being first overall doesn’t necessarily mean that you are the worst team.

The Texans are coming off a 2-14 season which started off by going 2-0 and then … well you can do the math. When you look at the Texans as a team however, they have a lot to offer for whoever is taken first overall.

Offensively, you have two dynamic receivers in veteran Andre Johnson and Deandre Hopkins, who is coming off a stellar rookie year. Tight-end Owen Daniels can always find a way to make the big catch, especially on third down and in the red zone. Running back Arian Foster is coming off an injury-plagued season, but with future free agent Ben Tate most likely finding a starting role somewhere else, Foster will be asked to carry the heavy load throughout the season which he has the ability to do so; look for Houston to draft a running back later on in the draft to back up Foster. The offensive line is probably the biggest question mark for Houston, which could give Manziel the advantage due to his ability to scramble out of the pocket to keep plays alive.

So as far as trying to build around a rookie quarterback, the Texans are pretty much built for whoever they decide to take.

Defensively is a different story. The Texans ranked 25^th in the league allowing just over 26 points a game last year. While drafting South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowny seems like a good fit to play along with defensive end J.J. Watt, adding one piece to a defense is not going make the Texans a bigger contender in the future years. Scoring points is the name of the game, and I don’t see Clowny’s presence being the difference in Houston that will make them a formidable team.

The 2014 NFL Draft will bring exciting new talent to the league and players who will be the faces of their franchise for years to come. Houston is on the clock though to figure out who will be the face of their franchise: Manziel or Bridgewater?