Even though the Texans finished 9-7 in Bill O'Brien's first season, they have a lot of needs in the draft, and the two positions they must target early are outside linebacker and wide receiver.

Because general manager Rick Smith signed veterans Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington in free agency, receiver isn't a desperate need when the Texans make the 16th pick in the first round of the draft (April 30-May 2).

Despite Andre Johnson's departure, the Texans can wait until the second round to get a receiver with outstanding speed, one who can stretch the coverage and influence game plans.

Because the Texans lost Brooks Reed (Atlanta) in free agency, Jadeveon Clowney is recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee and Whitney Mercilus is entering the last year of his contract, there's a good chance the Texans will use their first-round pick on an outside linebacker.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel needs an outside linebacker who can rush the passer. And this is an excellent draft to fill that need in the first round.

Florida's Dante Fowler Jr., Clemson's Vic Beasley, Missouri's Shane Ray, Nebraska's Randy Gregory and Kentucky's Bud Dupree are five terrific prospects who can play outside in a 3-4.

Fowler and Beasley could go among the top-five picks. Ray, Gregory and Dupree also could be selected before Smith makes the Texans' first pick.

Whether it's outside linebackers, receivers or players at other positions, Smith and his personnel staff have an advantage they lacked before last year's draft when they worked with O'Brien and his assistants for the first time.

Smith, who's in charge of his 10th draft, is much more comfortable than last year because he and his staff have spent more than a year learning what kind of players O'Brien and his offensive and defensive coaches prefer.

"We're able to have the kind of conversations at a level of depth we weren't able to have last year," Smith said. "There's a level of specificity we didn't have.

"Anytime you can be clearer about what you're looking for, you can take your next step in the evaluation of the player. We have a much better idea of how a player's going to impact our team."

The Texans didn't get much impact from last year's draft even though they improved by seven victories.

Clowney, guard Xavier Su'a-Filo and nose tackle Louis Nix III – selected in the first three rounds – contributed little to nothing.

Clowney and Nix were injured. Su'a-Filo used his rookie season as a learning process. If Clowney and Nix are healthy and productive and Su'a-Filo wins the starting job at left guard now that Ben Jones is moving to center, it'll be like having extra picks in those rounds.

Overall, the Texans have 10 draft choices, including three compensatory picks. They have multiple picks in the fifth and sixth rounds.

"I don't know if it's two or three positions," O'Brien said about team needs. "It's about looking at your team, where do you need starters and where do you need depth?

"It's about trying to bolster every position."

They're expected to start with an outside linebacker or receiver.

Because receiver is such a deep position for the second consecutive year, the Texans can wait until the second round to fill that need unless one of the two-best prospects, West Virginia's Kevin White or Alabama's Amari Cooper, falls into their lap.

Until the Texans locate and develop a franchise quarterback, they're not going to outscore Indianapolis and quarterback Andrew Luck in their AFC South rivalry.

That's one reason they need to continue to build a defense that allowed the seventh-fewest points in Crennel's first season.

The Texans added two starters to their defense in nose tackle Vince Wilfork and free safety Rahim Moore. It's essential to add depth in the defensive line, at safety and at inside linebacker.

Overall, the Texans were 16th in defense – 10th against the run and 21st against the pass. But they led the NFL with a franchise-record 34 takeaways and tied for sixth in red zone defense.

Over the second half of the season and down the stretch when they closed with a 4-1 record – the only blemish a 17-10 loss at Indianapolis – the defense made remarkable improvement.

Besides a fast receiver on offense, the Texans are looking for a big back who can convert on third-and-short as well as depth in the line. O'Brien's always on the lookout for a tight end, too.

With Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer and Tom Savage, quarterback isn't a priority this year.

"We're getting closer, but we still have a ways to go," Smith said about the draft. "We're honing in, fine-tuning to make sure every stone is turned, every i is dotted and every t is crossed."