Defensive playmaker in Texans' cross hairs

Defensive playmaker in Texans' cross hairs
March 11
Houston Chronicle columnist John McClain

"Fans constantly ask who I think the Texans are going to select with the 15th pick in the first round of the draft next month. I tell them it's easier for me to predict the position than the player because teams still are shuffling players on their draft boards.

For instance, I think their first-round pick will be a defensive player because the Texans still need so much help on that side of the ball. I may be wrong, but I think the Texans will use their top pick on a big-play outside linebacker or a defensive tackle who can penetrate and agitate.

What new defensive coordinator Frank Bush and new assistant head coach/defensive line Bill Kollar want to do is to pressure the quarterback by exploding off the ball, getting up the field in a nanosecond and being as disruptive as possible.

Because the Texans expect their No. 1 pick to become a starter next season, I've ruled out another defensive end. Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, who signed as a free agent from Arizona, are the starters.

I don't see the Texans selecting a cornerback or safety in the first round. It doesn't matter who plays in the secondary, if the defense can't pressure the quarterback, the defensive backs are toast.

Matthews a possibility

That's why I think the first pick will be an outside linebacker like USC's Clay Matthews III or a tackle like Mississippi's Peria Jerry.

Of course, the Texans would love to have Wake Forest outside linebacker Aaron Curry or Boston College tackle B.J. Rajii, but both will be long gone.

Matthews is usually 6-3, 245, but he lost five pounds before the combine so he would be quicker. He ran the 40 in 4.62 seconds. More importantly, he ran the first 10 yards in 1.49.

Scouts and coaches love to time the first 10 yards because it's an indication of a player's explosiveness.

Florida receiver Percy Harvin was timed in 1.47. Maryland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the fastest prospect at the draft with a 4.30 in the 40, ran the first 10 yards in 1.44.

In other words, Matthews explodes off the ball. That kind of explosion is one reason his stock is soaring."
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