ON THE TEXANS Timing is tricky when drafting RBs

The Texans' biggest needs going into the NFL draft are running back, cornerback and defensive tackle.

Coach Gary Kubiak calls running back a young player's position because of all the punishment they absorb early in their careers as runners, receivers and blockers.

For the first time in nine drafts, the Texans are expected to use one of their first two picks on a running back.

In 2003, they surrendered a second-round pick in the regular draft because they used it on Georgia Tech's Tony Hollings - a huge bust - in the supplemental draft.

The highest the Texans have selected a running back in the regular draft has been in the third round: Vernand Morency (2005) and Steve Slaton (2008).

Based on evaluations to this point, scouts say only two running backs, Clemson's C.J. Spiller and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews, are expected to be first-round picks.

When a team needs a running back, we sometimes hear fans and media advise against using the No. 1 pick on that position because the vacancy can be filled in a later round.

Sometimes that's true, but not always.

Last year, the two best backs in the league were Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Tennessee's Chris Johnson, both of whom were first-round picks. The best back over the last decade was San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, also a No. 1 draft choice.

Going deep?

An analysis of the last five drafts shows a team in need of a running back better pick one early - unless it's an unusually deep draft like in 2005.

That year, three of the first five picks were Miami's Ronnie Brown (second overall), Chicago's Cedric Benson (fourth) and Tampa Bay's Cadillac Williams (fifth).

San Francisco selected Frank Gore in the third round. Dallas (Marion Barber), the New York Giants (Brandon Jacobs) and San Diego (Darren Sproles) used fourth-round picks on backs.

In 2006, Reggie Bush (New Orleans), DeAngelo Williams (Carolina) and Joseph Addai (Indianapolis) were drafted in the first round. LenDale White (Tennessee) and Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville) were taken in the second round. Leon Washington (New York Jets) went in the fourth.

Jones-Drew and Williams are the best of that group.

After Peterson, 2007 was a terrible year for running backs. Buffalo's Marshawn Lynch was the only other first-round pick. There were six busts in the second and third rounds. After Peterson, the best back was the Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw, a seventh-round pick.

Five backs were taken in the first round in 2008. The last, Johnson (24th overall), is the best. The first, Oakland's Darren McFadden (fourth), has been a disappointment. Dallas' Felix Jones (22nd) and Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall (23rd) have been productive when healthy.

Chicago's Matt Forte and Baltimore's Ray Rice were second-round picks in 2008. The best third-round picks were the Texans' Steve Slaton and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles.

It's too early to judge last year's draft in which Knowshon Moreno (Denver), Donald Brown (Indianapolis), and Beanie Wells (Arizona) were taken in the first round. Shonn Greene, drafted with the first pick in the third round by the Jets, might turn out to be the best of all.

Tough decision

This year's draft has depth at running back. With the 20th pick, the Texans could have a choice between Spiller and Mathews.

Spiller (5-11, 196 pounds) is a multitalented prospect with 4.3 speed. He's also an exceptional returner.

Mathews is larger (6-0, 218), more powerful and ran well (4.4s) at the combine. He's also a better blocker.

If Spiller and Mathews are available - and Texas free safety Earl Thomas is gone - general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak could have a tough decision to make.

John McClain can be heard on 610 AM at 8:30 a.m. Monday, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and 4:30 p.m. Friday. john.mcclain@chron.com