2012 Final Draft Grades (Texans)

[rmartin65]

Deciding to go with a new thread for this, as the other one has gotten off topic. If the mods feel it should be placed in the other thread, I understand.

Well, another draft is in the books. How well do you think the Texans did? **Disclaimer- yes, we all know that the FO is full of professionals who (among other things) have access to info we don’t. And yes, grading a draft right after it happens instead of waiting a couple years is jumping the gun a bit. But who cares? If you don’t want to participate, then don’t. Nobody is making you read/respond to anything written here. Thanks!**

Round 1- Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus Grade: A-
Mercilus adds another edge rusher to Wade’s ever-evolving defense. It is hard not to be excited about adding him, as he was projected to go well before the 26th pick. He should see regular playing time as a rookie, and push for a starting gig in 2013. I have concerns about lateral agility and overall explosion, but there is no denying the talent and want-level is there.

Round 3- Ohio State WR DeVier Posey Grade: D
Bah, I like the position, but that is about it. He has good size, but is average everywhere else- average hands (drops some he should catch, catches some that were incredibly difficult to bring in), average playing speed, average route runner, above average blocker, but shy over the middle. Add in some character concerns (not just the tattoos, but what some people are saying on campus about him as a person) and the other receivers that were still on the board, and I am disappointed in the pick. That said, he is a Texan now, and has my full support. I truly hope that I am wrong.

Round 3- Miami (OH) OG Brandon Brooks Grade: A+
I love it! Brooks is a day one starter at either OG spot. A big, big man with incredible athleticism, I could not be any happier about the pick.

Round 4- Georgia OC Ben Jones Grade: B+
You just can’t hate grabbing O-line depth, especially when it comes with good value. Jones is a long-time starter in the talented SEC, and should be a great backup for many, many years. I don’t know if he will be playing OG or OC, but I think he should be a backup at either position, and may compete for a starting job in a couple years. And even if he never becomes a starter, he should be a great backup, and that is worth a 4th. He has a great attitude for an OLinman as well. Nice pick.

Round 4- Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State Grade: C+
This pretty much assures us that JJ is gone. Martin is a slot receiver with good return ability, but that is about it. I just don’t see him being a difference maker in the pass game. Not a bad pick, but not one I am thrilled about.

Round 4- Nebraska DE Jared Crick Grade: B
A year and a half ago, this guy was a first rounder. Crick has had a couple rough years, but he could be a solid 3-4 DE at the next level. He does not have the explosion of an elite player, and can get high in his stance, but he gives his all every snap. I don’t think he will start in the near future, but he should see time in the rotation. Nice pick.

Round 5- Texas A&M K Randy Bullock Grade: A
Who saw this coming? Well, just about everybody. Kicker was a need, and Bullock is arguably the best one in the draft. Strong leg, accurate, he should be the Texans’ kicker for years. It may be a bit early, but I have no problem with this. Great pick.

Round 6- Purdue OT/OG Nick Mondek Grade: C
Haha, someone nobody on the board is familiar with. He is raw, but has nice athleticism. I think he gets put on the PS, but who knows. I cant knock the pick since I have no knowledge of the guy, and I cant praise it for the same reason. C is for solid I guess.

Final Grade: B+

A lot of good picks, with only the Posey pick upsetting me. Lets go Texans!

[Thorn]

I think the team really improved their debth today. I love the kicker pick in the 5th round. Lots and lots of O lineman, so ya know I would love this draft if for nothing else than that. LOL

Over all, I give this draft a very solid B.

[G27RR]

Very solid draft. I'm happy.

[Seasick Sailor]

I'm much more optimistic about the Posey pick than you are, but otherwise agree.

There wasn't a WR available at that point who didn't have some serious question marks.

I cant wait to see how Wade uses Mercilus..

[phantom17]

I dunno about the Mondek. I hope the Texans did their homework with this one. I liked all the other picks except this one! I will give a Solid B!

[Norg]

i cant say much about this draft since it usually takes 3 years to judge but there was alot of ????? picks IMO

manily the getting of both guard and center going in we had


Antoine Caldwell-Starter


Thomas Austin -Rookie/Depth
Andrew Gardner-Rookie/Depth
Shelley Smith-Rookie/Depth
Cody Wallace-Vet

i thought that was more then enough to not get a guard but i guess the coaches dont trust any of these guyz i was mad manily because Tackle and TE we major needs and we didnt address none of that ...but how can i trust them on drafting Guards when thoes 3 guards we drafted up thee are all Bust picks i guess LOL

All we have is Newton coming of injury has our Backup Tackle and only 2 TE on this team OD and Garrett Graham who i guess the coaches fell is rdy to start now lets hope he does not get injured because has of now no one is backing up OD or GG

[gtexan02]

Best way to grade the draft in my opinion is to compare how good the roster looks before and after, including cuts to players, trades, UDFAs, etc.

I think our team looks stronger after this draft than it did before. Not the way it did after last years draft, but certainly deeper. I would have liked us to shore up the secondary a little more considering the teams we have on our schedule, but I realize there weren't a lot of talented CBs this year

[drunkcookie]

No grade, but Mayok seemed to like it..



"NickScurfield: Mike Mayock on #Texans draft on @nflnetwork: "That’s a good team that got better, & a legitimate Super Bowl contender."

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Best way to grade the draft in my opinion is to compare how good the roster looks before and after, including cuts to players, trades, UDFAs, etc.

I think our team looks stronger after this draft than it did before. Not the way it did after last years draft, but certainly deeper. I would have liked us to shore up the secondary a little more considering the teams we have on our schedule, but I realize there weren't a lot of talented CBs this year

And you can bet on what's left over, there'll be some UDFA CBs and safeties in camp.

[Norg]

they werent going secondary esp when we drafted Keio Harris and carmichael last year

[drunkcookie]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

I would have liked us to shore up the secondary a little more considering the teams we have on our schedule, but I realize there weren't a lot of talented CBs this year

Maybe they have confidence in Brock and Harris...we'll seee....

[Lucky]

I like that Wade got the player he wanted. I like that Benton got young linemen he can mold. I like that there is now a kicker on the roster. I don't know where the TEs are going to come from. I still would have liked to see another NT brought in (and there were opportunities). Not sure how you can grade before they've ever hit the field, but my guess is that this is a B draft class.

[Hardcore Texan]

What happened to our 7th round pick? I thought we got an extra one when we traded back? What did we get for our 2nd rounder that we traded away? I thought it was a 4th and a 7th?

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Texan

What happened to our 7th round pick? I thought we got an extra one when we traded back? What did we get for our 2nd rounder that we traded away? I thought it was a 4th and a 7th?

We gave up our 7th in the trade. We traded our 2nd and 7th for their 3rd and 4th.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Texan

What happened to our 7th round pick? I thought we got an extra one when we traded back? What did we get for our 2nd rounder that we traded away? I thought it was a 4th and a 7th?

We traded our 7th to the Buccanneers as part of the deal that got their 4th.

[Hardcore Texan]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

We gave up our 7th in the trade. We traded our 2nd and 7th for their 3rd and 4th.

Okay, gotcha. I thought the extra 3rd round pick was from the Demeco trade, but that was one of the fourth round pick.

[beerlover]

Initial reactions to 2012 draft -

Round 1- Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus Grade: A
Once again Texans fool me with first overall pick, what's new..... Drafting a 4-3 DE & projecting him to OLB. If he works out half as well as JJ Watt we''ll all be happy right? Quality young man who adds pass rushing speed dimension. Mario Williams missed on a lot of sack opportunities because he was a split second too late numerous times. Mercilus will make those plays. His closing speed is elite, his first 10 yard split confirms this as well posting tops in position 1.55 sec.

Round 3- Ohio State WR DeVier Posey Grade: C+
Better size than I thought @ 6015 211 so that helps reassure me a little. Had similar sense they go with bigger WR early then slot type WR later. Character issue aside, Texans had inside track on this angle & did their due diligence. So feel comfortable we can move on with his skill set that matches what fits profile/need. Reminds me a little of a bigger Mario Manningham & if that's the case better value than imagined.

Round 3- Miami (OH) OG Brandon Brooks Grade: B
One of the top four elite OG's in this draft. Great value. Little surprised went with this big of offensive guard, but that tells me Texans want to run with more power & punch it in the end zone over right side. Has high ceiling if fully developed has pro bowl potential.

Round 4- Georgia OC Ben Jones Grade: B+
Ben one of those wanting to take a Center higher for years so guess this will have to do because this position is set now for probably the next 10 years. Has leadership & toughness to make line calls will earn respect of teammates.

Round 4- Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State Grade: B
Rated just ahead of Ryan Broyles because of explosiveness, plus speed & toughness. Very smart pick that signals end of road for Jacoby Jones as a Texan. Elusive in open field & will make the clutch catch.

Round 4- Nebraska DE Jared Crick Grade: A
Anybody who follows my work knows I love this pick & had given him a 2nd rd. grade. I did not realize the extent of his injury's other than torn pectoral muscle that sidelined him his senior year. When healthy, he is a disruptive interior linemen who can back-up both Watt & Smith. I would love to put some weight on his 6-4 frame & stick him @ nose tackle in Wade's system he could be another Jay Ratliff.

Round 5- Texas A&M K Randy Bullock Grade: B+
Had to take him a little early because of run on position so good job addressing need. I hope he is the Texans kicker for the next decade, but you just never know. He seems polished & mature so should make the transition.

Round 6- Purdue OT/OG Nick Mondek Grade: C+
Love the position, question the prospect with guys like Matt Reynolds & Levy Adcock still available. It's always reassuring to hear the GM discuss a prospect you know nothing about but is making comparisons to Eric Winston the right direction? I was under the impression someone with a little more attitude & athletic ability, but will see maybe he is a diamond in the rough.

Overall Grade: Solid B

now onto undrafted free agents when all the dust settles.

[DX-TEX]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/...content_stream

NFLN gives the draft a B and just gushes praise on the Texans.

[PockyAF]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

A lot of good picks, with only the Posey pick upsetting me. Lets go Texans!

What was your thoughts on drafting Ben Tate again? Duane Brown? What would've been your thoughts on drafting Aldon Smith?

Not surprisingly, I feel alot better that you are upset with this pick.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by PockyAF

What was your thoughts on drafting Ben Tate again? Duane Brown? What would've been your thoughts on drafting Aldon Smith?

Not surprisingly, I feel alot better that you are upset with this pick.

Liked Tate, just liked Gerhart better. I still think Gerhart in this system would be awesome.

I liked Brown, I believe, although I was not that active in scouting the draft that year.

I fully admit to missing out on Smith, **** happens. I dont claim to be perfect or an expert, I readily admit that I am an amateur that does this as a hobby/because I am a fan of the Texans.

That said, I dont see you giving your opinion on players very often. Why dont you do it over the next year, and we will see how you stack up?