The 2011 NFL Draft's second round will kick off later tonight, and with J.J. Watt already on board for the Texans, they'll likely be looking for another defensive piece to fit Wade Phillips' new 3-4 scheme. Who will be the target? The first place you start might be looking for players who used to be tight ends, because this staff has an incurable disease that says they have to draft six former tight ends in every draft. After that, you might consider what Chris Watkins at Houston Diehards (hey, I know that guy!) has to say about the situation:
Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
I'd love this pick. Williams, like Glover Quin, could be a candidate for safety. If they nab him and add a strong free agent corner as many of us expect, it could make for some interesting camp competition.
Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
I think a lot of us are high on Moore because we're used to such awful safety play, but a lot of draft pundits are very "meh" about Moore. Me, I'd love to see him come to Houston.
Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
I like Ayers. A lot. Not the fastest guy, but the guy can play football. I think he could be a steal.
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Paea would make a hell of a NT in Wade Phillips' 3-4, but I doubt he's very high on the team's board.
Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Never liked talk about the Texans grabbing him in the first, but was open to him in a trade down scenario. Naturally, I'd take a hard look at him in the 2nd.
Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
I really thought Harris was destined for the first round. I'll be shocked - SHOCKED - if he makes it to 42.
Others:
Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Martez Wilson, ILB, Illinois
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona
I'd prefer Paea, Moore, Williams, Harris, and Ayers on that list, in roughly that order. I fully expect the Texans to take Ras-I Dowling, because as Antwaun Molden showed us, it doesn't matter how healthy you stay as long as you appear to be more talented than the rest of the field. At least, that's why I think he's still on the roster.
I guess right now I lean more towards targeting Chris Carter in the third round and drafting secondary help for the Texans in the second. Maybe that changes as I remember that a good pass rush helps a mediocre secondary, but the Texans desperately need safeties or players that can help Glover Quin move to safety.