Houston Texans' 2014 NFL Draft Review

Overall, the Houston Texans had a very solid 2014 NFL Draft.  Lots of versatility and development to go around for the Texans' coaching staff.  Training camp is going to be filled with plenty of competition.  A promising future lies ahead short terms as well as long term.

Do you feel the Texans' had a good Draft?

The Power Structure of the Houston Texans

We are only a few days before the 2014 NFL Draft.  Therefore, one thing that hasn't really been mentioned is who has the final say on Draft Day.  Every team is structured differently however it appears that many teams including Houston are mirroring the structure of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.  Pete Carroll was brought to the Seattle Seahawks with the promise of significant control of the team.  Basically, while GM John Schneider looks for players to build the roster, head coach Pete Carroll cuts the roster down to the final 53.  The same type of structure is used in Houston.

Bob McNair has always used the Patriots' as his model for how he wants the Football Operations to be run in the Houston Texans organization.  Who better than to help him than somebody that has been in New England under Bob Kraft for several years like newly hired head coach Bill O'Brien?  From what we have seen so far, it is clear that Bill O'Brien has final say over the 53 man roster while Rick Smith handles the NFL Draft and free agency.  Typically when there are huge football decisions to be made where Rick Smith and Bill O'Brien can't seem to agree, Bob McNair is the tiebreaker.  We haven't seen that yet being so early in Bill O'Brien's time here in Houston.

Bob McNair, Rick Smith and Bill O'Brien are all highly respected within the NFL.  Do you think the structure in place is going to benefit the Houston Texans long term?  Or are you more concerned about the immediate fix?

Thoughts on Houston Texans Town Hall Meeting

Yesterday (March 31), the Houston Texans held a closed Q&A session at the Houston Texans Grille located in City Centre open only to media and Houston Texans season ticket holders.  He was asked about various topics including the draft and free agency.  Most are addressed in this latest episode of Bulls On Parade Talk.

Houston Texans sign veteran safety Chris Clemons || Danieal Manning asked to take a pay cut

The #Texans are signing S Chris Clemons to a 2-year deal.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) March 28, 2014

The deal is worth $2.7 million over two years with $450,000 guaranteed.  Seeing as how the new director of pro personnel, Brian Gaine, used to work for the Miami Dolphins, it should be no surprise that he decided to bring him in to Houston.

This leaves Danieal Manning's future up in the air.  No pun intended.  Manning was approached by the Texans to take a pay cut.  Nothing has been confirmed just yet if he has or not, however we do know that Clemons' contract equals the amount that Manning was offered in his pay cut.

The safeties on the current roster are as follows: Danieal Manning, Eddie Pleasant, Chris Clemons, D.J. Swearinger, Jawanza Starling and Shiloh Keo.

More than likely one of these players will not be on next season's final 53 man roster.  Some say it's Manning but what do you say?