Texans needs: Only a few defensive upgrades away

Will the Houston Texans be the 2009 version of the Arizona Cardinals? It will be tough in the ultra-competitive AFC, but the Texans certainly bear watching next season.

One of Houston's biggest needs? Keeping Matt Schaub healthy. (Getty Images)

Playing in one of the NFL's toughest divisions, the Texans have finished 8-8 the past two seasons. Now it's time to do better, which would mean the first playoff berth in franchise history.

"We were an 8-8 football team for the last two years, but I think we were a different 8-8 football team this year than last year," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "And what I mean by that is I think I watched our team mature."

The Texans are one or two small pieces away from having one of the best young offenses in the league. With quarterback Matt Schaub, receiver Andre Johnson and running back Steve Slaton, they have three key skill players. Add in tight end Owen Daniels and a good offensive line, and this is an offense that should be expected to score a lot next season.

That's why the defense is the key to this draft. They added end Antonio Smith in free agency to go with Mario Williams, so the makings of a good pass rush are there. But they need help at outside linebacker, defensive tackle and in the secondary, both at corner and safety.

Expect a lot of picks to be spent on defense.

"I think our guys understand how close we are," Smith said. "We obviously have to add a few players and improve ourselves in a couple of areas and protect the football a little better and keep our quarterback healthy. But I think our team understands now that they're capable of winning. And that's what's exciting."

QB: With Schaub entering his third season as a starter, and emerging as a quality passer, they are set. The addition of Dan Orlovsky as the backup gives them some peace of mind with the trade of Sage Rosenfels.

RB: Slaton emerged as a big-play runner last season as a rookie. He is the go-to guy. They have Chris Brown and Ryan Moats as backups, so they might use a later pick on a back.

WR: Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the league. He has continually put up huge numbers. Kevin Walter is a capable player opposite him, but they could use an upgrade. Depth comes from Andre Davis and David Anderson. I think adding a big-play receiver to go with Johnson would be tempting.

TE: Owen Daniels has emerged as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game. He knows how to get open. Joel Dreessen provides the depth as a backup, but they could use help there.

OL: They used a first-round pick on Duane Brown last year and he will start at left tackle. Right tackle Eric Winston is one of the better players in the league at that spot. Guards Chester Pitts and Mike Brisiel are above average, while Chris Myers was an upgrade at center last season. The backups are young and raw.

DL: Williams is a star and should be even better with the addition of Antonio Smith on the other side. Smith comes over from Arizona and the inside players have to play better. Both Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson were first-round picks, but need to play more like it. Depth comes from Frank Okam inside and Stanley McClover outside.

LB: Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans is one of the best in the league -- he is a tackling machine. The players next to him are young and have ability in Zach Diles and Xavier Adibi. They could use help there. There is some depth with Kevin Bentley and Chaun Thompson.

Secondary: They franchised Dunta Robinson, which means he's back as the starter at one corner. The other is a spot that needs an upgrade. Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves will compete, but expect to see a high pick on a corner. Safeties Eugene Wilson and Nick Ferguson are just OK. They need help there.