In continuing with this 32 article series, here's a look at the top needs for the Houston Texans as well as a seven-round mock draft we ran through the FanSpeak mock draft simulator. We manually picked for Houston while the picks for all other 31 teams were selected by the simulator.

1. Wide Receiver

Cecil Shorts and Jaelen Strong are solid depth options, even potentially decent No. 3 receivers. However, neither one can be expected to play the role of a solid second option in a good passing offense. With the money Houston exhausted on Brock Osweiler, it simply needs to get a second option behind DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game. 

The good news here is that the Texans are selecting at an area in the high 20's where first-round caliber receivers will be available. The likes of Corey Coleman, Will Fuller and Josh Doctson should be available here. Heck, maybe even Laquon Treadwell as you will see below. 

2. Defensive Tackle

Not any defensive tackle. Houston needs to find itself a zero-tech nose tackle to replace the aging Vince Wilfork at some point soon. This is an extremely important position on a 3-4 defense, and no matter what J.J. Watt brings to the table on the edge, he can't be everywhere on the field. The idea here would be to find someone that can control the center of the line while opening up outside pass-rushing lanes for the likes of Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus. 

While there will surely be options available in the first round, Houston would be best served waiting until the mid rounds to select a player here. Is surely is a position where value can be had. 

3. Strong Safety

Is anyone really sold on Eddie Pleasant or Kurtis Drummond being the answers here? While moving Andre Hal from corner to free safety worked extremely well last season, he needs a running partner on the back end of the defense. It's also good that free safety is the one area addressed here considering that's the position among the two that is lacking top-end players. In short, Houston should be able to find some solid value here on Day 2. 

4. Defensive End

With Clowney and Mercilus playing hands-up at linebacker in this 3-4 scheme, the Texans need to find a running partner for Watt at defensive end. He doesn't need to be a game-changer or elite-level player. Instead, he needs to perform at a relatively high level while those three burn down opposing team's backfields. Jeoffrey Pagan, Devon Still and Brandon Dunn are not the answers here. 

As with pretty much every position Houston should target come draft time, it's in a darn good position here. A first-round pick at defensive end is out of the equation. This leaves the Texans with the ability to find value later in the draft. Jihad Ward in the second round as well as Carl Nassib later on Day 2 could make some sense. 

5. Tight End

The Texans simply don't have anyone to act as a reliable target at tight end for Osweiler. In fact, tight ends caught a total of 41 passes last season. After failing to add anyone of substance here in free agency, it's important for the team to get someone in the draft. Unfortunately, this is one of the weakest draft classes at tight end in recent history.