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*HOUSTON - The Houston Texans signed first-round draft pick DE Travis Johnson to complete
their 2005 draft class, it was announced today
Johnson (6-3, 306) was taken by the Texans with the 16th overall pick in the 2005 draft. The collegiate defensive tackle from Florida State will make the transition to defensive end in the Texans 3-4 system.
Johnson started 21 of 51 games as a member of the Seminoles and totaled 175 tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Johnson ranks third in Florida State history in tackles for loss. He completed his college career with his best year starting all 12 games and a career-high 50 tackles as a senior.
Johnson, who hails from Sherman Oaks, Calif., was a USA Today first-team All-American out of Notre Dame High School. He made 104 tackles and 17 sacks during his senior year of high school. The southern California native switched to jersey number 75 in tribute to his favorite player, former Los Angeles Ram and NFL Hall of Fame DE Deacon Jones.
The Texans traded back three spots with the New Orleans Saints to draft Johnson.
Houston also picked up a third-round selection in the 2006 draft from New Orleans
in exchange for the 13th pick. The Texans have spent their past three first-round
draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. CB Dunta Robinson and LB Jason
Babin were taken with the 10th and 27th picks in the 2004 draft.
