The Texans filled their need for a pass-rushing outside linebacker with the 42nd overall pick of the 2011 draft.
They drafted Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed (6-3, 263), who will play strongside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense.
"We were thrilled to death that this guy was there at our pick," Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. "We can't be more happy defensively."
Herring said that Reed, who started 34 games at Arizona, has the fastest feet of any player in the draft. Reed ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the first 10 yards in 1.54 seconds, which Herring pointed out was faster than Von Miller.
"The first 10 yards in this game is what makes or breaks you off the edge," Herring said. "He has incredible get-off, incredible twitch and burst. His tenacity, his play speed, his play strength, he carries himself like a pro. To make this transition (to a 3-4) and to make it quick, a kind of a not-now, right-now mentality, that's what we've got to have out of the guys we take. And we see that with both these guys (Reed and J.J. Watt)."
The Texans believe that in Reed and first-round pick Watt, their first-round pick, they've found to potential tone-setters for their defense.
"You want to compliment a (Brian) Cushing and a DeMeco Ryans and an Antonio Smith, and I'm talking about a get-after-it-attitude, that's what Watt and Reed bring to the table," Herring said. "They bring you locker room presence day one. They bring you practice presence day one. They bring you intensity into the meeting room and on to the practice field. They will set the stage, and they're the type of guys that they're not going to look around to see who to follow. They're going to lead."
Reed started 34 games in his Arizona career with 17 sacks. He was named first-team All-Pac 10 in 2010 after recording 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
"I couldn't be happier," he said. "I can't even process thoughts right now. Everything is happening so fast, my heart is beating fast, and my mind is racing. I can't believe I was just drafted. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Houston Texans."
