Houston Texans 2014 NFL Draft Wrap-up

Apr 20, 2013; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish nose tackle Louis Nix (1) gestures before a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Additions
We all knew that the Texans were going to chose Jadeveon Clowney as the number one overall selection, however their defensive selections beyond that were a mystery to all of us. Going into the draft, we knew that the Texans most definitely needed help with their running game, seeing as that it was in fact ranked 23rd in the league last season with 122.4 rushing yards allowed per game with 10 touchdowns. Their secondary didn’t need any help (3rd in the NFL with 195.2 passing yards per game allowed), however they were still able to add another safety to the mix along with some good pass rushers not named Jadeveon Clowney. With J.J. Watt, Brian Cushing and the plethora of defensive talent from the NFL draft, the Houston Texans defense should be scary good next season.

 DE Jadeveon Clowney, University of South Carolina:
As the number one overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney has a lot of weight on his shoulders to perform at a premiere level. However, with his rare combination of size, strength, exceptional speed and quickness, Clowney should be up to the task of being a starting NFL defensive end. Where Clowney is so dynamic and great is his reactions right off the snap. He is fast, he’s quick and he is hard to coral once the ball is in the QBs hands. At 6-5, 266 pounds, Clowney knows how to compliment his size with quickness through his use of his hands and maneuvers to avoid contact with offensive lineman. At the combine Clowney showed said quickness with a 4.53 40-yard dash time along with a great 37.5″ vertical leap. At the University of South Carolina, Clowney was able to record an incredible 15.6 tackles for loss, 43.3 total tackles, eight sacks, 6.6 QB hurries and three fumbles forced per season. Although injuries inhibited his 2013 campaign, Clowney still showed he could take on the SEC and all it has to offer. Although I thought at first the Texans should have perhaps taken a QB with their first selection, I now understand that although a QB is important, defense wins championships. Look at the Panthers and 49ers. Last season they both had bottom-five passing teams and yet still made it far in the playoffs. The NFL has shown that you do not necessarily need an air-raid offense to be successful. With the Texans, Clowney could make an immediate impact playing on the defensive line or even starting at outside linebacker if the Texans deem so necessary, giving J.J. Watt the ultimate collegiate compliment.

DT Louis Nix III, University of Notre Dame:
Although I do appreciate the skills and production of Nix’s counterpart Stephon Tuitt much better, Louis Nix is a solid selection for the Texans. Over his career as a defensive tackle for the Fighting Irish, Nix was able to record 122 tackles along with 14 tackles for loss. With Nix the Texans are getting a big boy at defensive tackle (Nix weighs in at 331 with a height of 6-2 and 3/8). Nix can help plug some holes for the Texans and give them a solid nose tackle who can stop the run, while giving J.J. Watt and Clowney some extra room on the outside to rush the QB or drop back in coverage.

DE Jeoffrey Pagan, University of Alabama
As a defensive end for the University of Alabama, Jeoffrey Pagan knows how to be mentally and physically tough. As defensive end, Pagan was able to register 33 total tackles, 3.5 of them going for a loss. Although the Texans already have Clowney and Watt at the defensive end position, they can still use him in case that one of those two gets injured.

DC Dre Hal, Vanderbilt University
As a corner for Vanderbilt, Hal was able to play great football. He is not necessarily a shut-down corner, but he gives the Texans depth where they need it most.

DS Lonnie Ballentine, University of Memphis
He is considered Mr. Irrelevant, however he still has a small smidge of NFL promise. He becomes part of one of the NFL’s best secondaries and can learn from the best in the business.