Houston Texans Need To Draft A Running Back

The Houston Texans pick 16th overall this year and have many holes. I previously wrote how the Texans should take a receiver high (preferably 1st Rd) this upcoming draft, however, if they were to find themselves at pick 16 without a receiver that they were comfortable taking, what other position should be considered?

Now, every year from the start of offseason and to the night before the draft I scour the internet for every mock I can find. Of course, 75% of them are laughable and make me realize that most of the people who make mock drafts know nothing about the Texans.

The best one I’ve found is the Texans taking Bryce Petty in the 1st round, which is just as scary of a thought as it is funny.

Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores defensive lineman Jay Woods (74) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, I recently stumbled across Walter Football’s recent mocks, where both Charlie Campbell and Walter Cherepinsky have the Texans taking Georgia’s Todd Gurley (RB) in the 1st round.

When I first saw it, I scoffed at the idea. But then I thought about it a little more.

If the Texans were to miss out on the top three receiving prospects (as predicted in these mocks), taking the next best offensive weapon wouldn’t be a bad way to go.

Gurley has received high praise and has been considered to be the best running back out of the draft since Adrian Peterson. The only thing that scares me is that he’s coming off of ACL surgery. But, hey, that didn’t stop AP.

With Arian Foster reaching the end of his career (final year of contract is ‘16), why not find his replacement right now with a guy like Gurley? Yes, they have Alfred Blue, who I do like. But do I think he’s going to be a great back like Foster? No. Not until proves otherwise.

The Texans need a guy who they know can take the same amount of workload and be a top back in the league like Foster. Otherwise, with no running back and quarterback, they’re Jacksonville. And Tennessee. That’s why at the end of the day, aside from J.J. Watt, Foster’s production is the biggest thing that separates the Texans from those teams.

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Now, they don’t have to grab a back with their first pick but they shouldn’t wait past day three. There are still plenty of names out their aside from Gurley. Guys like Melvin Gordon (Heisman finalist), Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, and Miami’s Duke Johnson all put up incredible college stats and are projected as Day 2 picks. And if they want to find Foster’s replacement, it should be no later than Day 2. Just look at the top back’s over the past few years in the league and where they were taken: Marshawn Lynch (1st Rd), Jamaal Charles (3rd Rd), LeSean McCoy (2nd Rd), and Adrian Peterson (1st Rd).

This is the year that the Texans should find a guy that can take over when Foster is done. Not only will they have a replacement, but it will also take the load off of Foster next season. This could help him stay healthy for the entire of the year, while also giving the Texans a three-headed rushing attack in Foster, Blue, and (TBA).

The Texan’s offense has struggled, and having their best playmakers enter their final year(s) doesn’t help. Now is the perfect time to find their future stars in a respected draft class.

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