Whom The Houston Texans Should Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

Andre Johnson (WR) was taken with the 3rd overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Johnson is a multiple-time Pro Bowler and if he can ever stay healthy, he could be one of the best receivers in NFL history. Obviously, Johnson was a tremendous pickup for Houston.

The Texans chose Bennie Joppru (TE) in the 2nd round and was an absolutely horrible pick. Joppru played in only one game during his 3+ year career with the Texans. A much better selection here would have been Ken Hamlin (S), Anquan Boldin (WR) or Osi Umenyiora (DE).

In round 3, Houston had three draft choices. The first was used on Antwan Peek (LB) who never developed into a play maker. Lance Briggs (LB) and Jason Witten (TE) were still available. With their next two draft picks, the Texans selected Seth Wand (OT) and Dave Ragone (QB). Both players were only with the team for three years. Wand was only a starter for one year and Ragone only played in two games. Better options here would have been Justin Fargas (RB) and Terrence McGee (CB).

In the 4th round, the Houston Texans drafted Domanick Davis (RB). Davis (who later changed his last name to Williams) never became the franchise running back the Texans were hoping to get. He was actually quite productive his first two years in the league, but after signing a new big money contract, he injured his knee and decided to quit playing football. The Texans should have drafted Robert Mathis (DE), Dan Koppen (C) or Asante Samuel (CB).

Drew Henson (QB) was picked in round 6. Henson never played for the Texans (he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2004). A better value draft choice here would have been Cato June (LB). With another 6th round draft selection, Houston grabbed Keith Wright (DT). Wright never played one game in the NFL. The Texans would have been better off drafting their future franchise quarterback, Tony Romo. Romo could have been drafted or signed by any NFL team as a free agent because he amazingly went undrafted in 2003 as did Pro Bowlers Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE).


Summary Of Players The Houston Texans Should Have Acquired In 2003

Anquan Boldin
Lance Briggs
Justin Fargas
Terrence McGee
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

The Texans had two draft picks in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft. With the 10th overall selection, Houston drafted Dunta Robinson (CB). Robinson had a really solid rookie season, but his production has been on a decline since his first year. Bigger play makers like Will Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT), Shawn Andrews (OT), Ben Roethlisberger (QB), Jonathan Vilma (LB) or Tommie Harris (DT) were still available.

Jason Babin (DE) was taken with the 27th overall pick. Babin was a terrible selection as he saw limited playing time after his rookie year determined he was not an elite player. The Texans should have drafted Darnell Dockett (DT), Bob Sanders (SS), Nick Hardwick (C), Chris Cooley (TE), Chris Snee (OT), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Matt Schaub (QB). Schaub was actually traded to the Texans from the Atlanta Falcons in March 2007, but Houston could have saved future draft picks by selecting him in the 2004 NFL Draft.

After the 1st round, the Texans did not draft again until round 4. They selected Glenn Earl (SS) and he did not make a name for himself (production was quite limited). A better draft choice here would have been Jared Allen (DE) or Michael Turner (RB).

In round 6, the Texans picked Vontez Duff (CB) and was another wasted draft pick because Duff never played a game for Houston. Wes Welker (WR), a future NFL star, went undrafted in 2004 and could have been drafted or signed by any NFL team. The Texans passed on the speedy receiver.


Summary Of Players The Houston Texans Should Have Acquired In 2004

Will Smith
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Wes Welker

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Texans selected Travis Johnson (DT) with the 16th overall draft choice. Johnson either has not played well or hasn't played enough considering how high he was drafted. Injuries had slowed him early in his career. Houston should have drafted a bigger impact player like Lofa Tatupu (LB), Nick Collins (S), Frank Gore (RB), Michael Roos (OT), Logan Mankins (OG) or Roddy White (WR).

The Texans drafted Vernand Morency (RB) in round 3. Morency was not the answer for the Texans' future franchise running back. His limited playing time only proved that he could not be a starter. Houston would have been better off selecting Justin Tuck (DE), Marion Barber III (RB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB).

Jerome Mathis (WR) was taken in the 4th round of the draft. Mathis was actually named to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner during his rookie season. His career was looking bright, however, the next two years he was injured and then had a couple of off-the-field incidents. The Texans should have avoided the Mathis selection and instead invested their draft pick on a player like Darren Sproles (RB) or Trent Cole (DE).

In round 5, Houston grabbed Drew Hodgdon (C) and was another draft pick the Texans regret making. Hodgdon played in only 14 games during his three-year career with Houston. Jay Ratliff (DT) was still on the draft board.

C.C. Brown (S) was picked in the 6th round and is slightly better than an average player, which in round 6 is a good value. Brown doesn't post huge stats, but he's not a bad player either. In the final round, Houston drafted Kenneth Pettway (LB), but he never played a game for the Texans. A better draft pick here would have been Josh Cribbs (KR) who went undrafted in 2005.


Summary Of Players The Houston Texans Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Marion Barber III
Darren Sproles
Jay Ratliff
Josh Cribbs

1. Steve Slaton
2. Matt Schaub
3. Andre Johnson
4. Kevin Walter
5. Owen Daniels

With the #1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected Mario Williams (DE). At the time, Williams was a controversial pick since Reggie Bush and Vince Young were the likely candidates to be drafted by Houston. However, "Super Mario" is the first of the aforementioned players to play in a Pro Bowl and this draft selection now makes the Texans' management team look like geniuses. Williams didn't have a breakout rookie season, but he has been a defensive monster since.

The Texans chose DeMeco Ryans (LB) in the 2nd round. Ryans, not Mario Williams, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Houston grabbed another winner with Ryans (in his rookie year, he totaled a blistering 155 tackles and 3.5 sacks).

In round 3, the Texans drafted two offensive lineman to help repair their weak o-line. With the first two selections in the 3rd round, Houston added Charles Spencer (OT) and Eric Winston (OT) to their roster. Spencer only played two games for Houston, while Winston is now a starter for the team. Instead of the Spencer pick, Houston should have drafted Brandon Marshall (WR) or Leon Washington (RB).

Round 4 brought Owen Daniels (TE) to the Houston franchise. Daniels is one of the better tight ends in the NFL, so this is a good selection by the Texans. Wali Lundy (RB) was taken in the 6th round. Lundy was not a big play maker, so a better option here would have been Antoine Bethea (FS) or Cortland Finnegan (CB).

In round 7, the Texans drafted David Anderson (WR). Anderson is just a bench player, even though one draft choice after Anderson was taken, Marques Colston (WR) went to the New Orleans Saints and has emerged as one of the elite receivers in football.

The Houston Texans drafted almost perfect draft picks in the first four rounds of the 2006 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The Houston Texans Should Have Acquired In 2006

Brandon Marshall
Cortland Finnegan
Marques Colston

The Texans have made some excellent draft selections, but there was still room for improvement with many of their draft choices. Houston needs to stop playing like they are an expansion team and start fielding players that can make an impact on the games they play.

Based on franchise needs and draft pick locations, the "dream team" listed could have been a reality for the Texans' fans. Houston would have certainly been in the playoffs no later than 2006 with the following team.

Tony Romo (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Darren Sproles (RB)
Justin Fargas (RB)

Andre Johnson (WR)
Wes Welker (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Logan Mankins (OG)
Eric Winston (OT)

Tommie Harris (DT)
Jay Ratliff (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Mario Williams (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Ken Hamlin (S)
Bob Sanders (SS)
C.C. Brown (S)

Josh Cribbs (KR)