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The Houston Texans offense proved last season that it was one of the best in the AFC. Matt Schaub is a solid quarterback. Arian Foster is a dominant running back rushing behind a good offensive line. And Andre Johnson is still a top receiver in the NFL.
But to be the best offense in the AFC, the Texans need one final piece: a No. 2 wide receiver.
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Most analysts agree on this point. The No. 2 wide receiver position has proved over the past few seasons to be crucial to NFL passing games, as a solid second option frees up other receivers and makes life easier for quarterbacks. CBS Sports' NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang sees this position as a need for the Texans as well, evident by his latest mock draft.
With the No. 27 pick, Rang projects the Houston Texans to select Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
Andre Johnson re-emerged in 2012 as one of the NFL's elite wideouts but depth remains quite thin, especially with the torn Achilles suffered by Devier Posey in the playoff loss to New England. Hopkins is a polished route-runner who exploded in 2012 with an ACC-best 1,405 receiving yards on 82 catches and a school-record 18 touchdowns.
Weighing in at 6'1, 214 lbs, Hopkins is known for his tendency to catch touchdown passes (18 last season). At the NFL Combine, Hopkins ran a 4.57 40-yard dash.
Dan Kadar of SB Nation's Mocking the Draft also believes the Texans should look at receiver in the first round of the upcoming draft. But instead of Hopkins, Kadar projects Houston to select the speedy receiver out of West Virginia, Tavon Austin.
The Houston offense needs to add playmakers. Devier Posey looked like he could be one before getting injured late last season. With Andre Johnson getting up there in age, the Texans could use a player like Austin to open up defenses.
Austin ran a lighting fast 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. At West Virginia last season, Austin caught 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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