NFL Draft: The War Room | HoustonProFootball.com 
April 26-27, 2003
Texans Kick-Off Day 2
by Warren DeLuca and Ric Sweeney
HoustonProFootball.com
The Texans opened day 2 of the NFL Draft by selecting RB Domanick Davis (5’10") of LSU, a compact runner with big play skills who exceled as a return man. He not gamebreaking fast, but he’s instinctive and has a burst. He’ll be expected to fill Jermaine Lewis’ void.
Houston then traded their only fifth-round pick to the Colts for a fourth rounder in 2004.
With the Texans’ first sixth-round selection, GM Charley Casserly rolled the dice and took Drew Henson, the Michigan quarterback who left school to sign with the New York Yankees as a third baseman. Henson was very highly regarded as a pro prospect and the Texans are expected to try to trade his rights before next year’s draft.
The Texans added depth to their defensive line by selecting Missouri defensive tackle Keith Wright with their other six-round pick. In the seventh round, they chose Louisville strong safety Curry Burns and Texas A&M deep snapper Chance Pearce.
On Saturday, as expected, the Texans stayed where they were in Saturday’s first round and selected Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson (6’2", 230).
Last year, Johnson caught 52 passes for 1,092 yards (an average of 21 yards per catch) and 9 TDs. He made a name for himself in the 2002 Rose Bowl, torching what was thought to be a strong Nebraska secondary for 7 catches, 199 yards, 2 TDs and co-MVP honors.
He has blazing 4.3 speed and strength to go across the middle and fend off CBs and safeties. He also hails from a certifiable NFL factory; the Hurricanes placed five players in last year’s first round, including NFC Rookie of the Year Jeremy Shockey and AFC Rookie of the Year Clinton Portis (who was a second round selection), and have several players poised to go near the top this year, as well.
GM Charley Casserly, speaking with ESPN moments after the pick, admitted the team has had trade conversations as late as this morning, but wanted an "awful lot" in return for the #3 pick because the team "really likes Andre Johnson."
In the second round, the Texans traded down five spots with the Patriots (from #36 to #41) and picked up another third-round pick (#75 overall) for their trouble. They then selected Michigan tight end Bennie Joppru.
The Texans began the third round with a total of four picks, but ended up drafting only three players. With the 67th pick, they took Cincinnati defensive end Antwan Peek, who will convert to outside linebacker for the Texans.
They then used the 75th pick (acquired in the trade down with New England) to select offensive tackle Seth Wand from Division II Northwest Missouri State. The Texans sent the 83rd choice along with the 272nd (the final pick in the draft) to Oakland in exchange for the Raiders’ 2004 second rounder.
They concluded their first day action with the selection of Louisville quarterback Dave Ragone with the 88th overall pick.
Andre Johnson 
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