I'm not much for outsourcing NFL personnel issues to pure draft analysts, but Mel Kiper has hit some nails on the head here regarding what Houston should be looking to do once free agency starts. Assuming the new CBA that is (supposedly) getting worked out lets players with 4-6 years of experience be free agents again, Eric Weddle will hit the market. He could be a potential solution to the long-standing problem of safety.
↵↵↵"I like [J.J.] Watt; he plays hard, does a great job with hand usage and is very productive. I also like Brooks Reed, a pass-rusher they got in the second round who could have gone higher. He has the kind of initial explosiveness that you look for in a player at the position..."
↵"I don't think the Texans could have done enough to add talent on the defensive side of the ball, and while they did a great job hitting needs, an interior lineman has to be on the shopping list. Beyond that, while they tried to add safety help in the draft and may have some talent, that's not a position you simply turn over to a rookie if you can help it."
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Rick Smith still has the pressing matter of fixing the cornerback slot to deal with first, but if the Texans are serious about their chances of competing this year, it would really behoove them to not go into the season hoping that Shiloh Keo or Troy Nolan can hold down strong safety based on nothing but hope and prayers.