Top offseason needs: AFC South

Houston Texans: Linebacker

When then-Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips was asked why he switched from the 4-3 to the 3-4, he declared it was because he had more good linebackers than defensive linemen. Nearly 30 years later, his son Wade's defense in Houston is running the 3-4, but not because his team has an excess of quality linebackers.

The problem for the Texans exists at inside and outside linebacker. On the inside, Brian Cushing was lost for the season in Week 5, tearing his ACL. He should be healthy for Week 1 of next season, but the lack of talent around him is troubling. Darryl Sharpton was supposed to fill the spot vacated by the offseason trade of DeMeco Ryans, but he started the year on the physically unable to perform list, then did too little, especially in pass coverage, when he did make it onto the field. A quantum improvement by Sharpton or a new starter, most likely from the draft, is a necessity.

To read the rest of Football Outsiders' analysis of the biggest offseason needs for AFC South teams, you must be an ESPN Insider.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe