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2011 Draft Grades

R

rmartin65

Phil Kessel: Nice Guy. Tries Hard.
Well, another draft has come and gone. What do you think of the Texans' draft? Also, please keep this civil. Yes, we know we are not pros, we know they have information that we are not privy too. Thanks.

Here is what I have:

Round 1- Wisconsin DE JJ Watt- Grade: A+
Quick Analysis- I love this pick. DE is an important position in the 3-4, and Watt is a perfect specimen for the position.

Round 2- Arizona OLB Brooks Reed- Grade: A
Quick Analysis- Another great pick. Reed will be a great pass rusher for years.

Round 2- Miami (U) CB Brandon Harris- Grade: A
Quick Analysis- The 3rd straight money pick, Harris will see the field a lot next year. Hopefully he does not have to start right away.

Round 4- Virginia Tech CB Rashad Carmichael- Grade: C
Quick Analysis- The first “meh” pick. I like him, but we have a lot of corners, and more holes to fill. He does not play to his timed speed, and is not very physical. However, he has a nose for the ball.

Round 5- Idaho SS Shiloh Keo- Grade: B-
Quick Analysis- Keo is a guy I want to give an A grade on, but cant. He lays it on the line every play, but simply lacks the speed to be more than an excellent backup and special teams player.

Round 5- North Carolina QB TJ Yates- Grade: B-
Quick Analysis- Yates is an interesting pick. QB is not an immediate need, but one that I wished to be filled in the 7th. Yates has potential, but again, there were other players on the board.

Round 7- Arkansas State OT Derek Newton- Grade: C
Quick Analysis- Solid player with good athleticism, but the pick leaves a lot to be desired. 50/50 shot to make the roster.

Round 7- Rice OLB Cheta Ozougwu- Grade: D-
Quick Analysis- Small, unexplosive OLB project without great statistics. A wasted opportunity to lock up a talent difficult to sign as a UDFA.

All in all, I give it a solid B.

The Texans started off white hot, but slowed as the draft went on. The excellent picks of Watt, Reed and Harris were followed by mostly solid picks of Carmichael, Keo, Yates and Newton, before ending in disappointment with Ozougwu.
 
I'd agree with you completely. I was super pumped yesterday, but felt we didn't do as well the second day. Of course as you state, it's merely opinion, heck Mr. Irrelevant may show all of us just how smart we are in our arm chairs :)
 
Unless you are lucky, odds are anything after the 4th is filler and backup material, so I'm not usually very hard on the Texans no matter the position or player they take from the 5th on down.

As to an over all grade on rounds 1 thru 4, I'll give them an A- or a B+. It was a good draft and Wade got some folks who can make a difference if coached up right.

As with all discussions, predictions, and grading this time of year, we'll all just have to wait and see. 1st round picks can be bone headed losers and late round picks can surprise and start. Our Man Foster wasn't even drafted. LOL
 
Can't even get the name of our team right. :toropalm:

CBS Draft Grade
Houston Texas: B

In fielding one of the league's worst defenses -- and certainly the NFL's least-reliable tackling units -- the Texans went to work on draft day investing their first five picks on that side of the ball. Even before drafting Wisconsin defensive end with the No. 11 overall pick, the Texans used the equivalent of a first-round pick in adding Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. His impact will be every bit as important to Houston's improvement defensively as Watt -- though the former Badger is a prototypical five-technique defensive end. I'm not as high on Arizona's Brooks Reed as some, but he does give the Texans competition with Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin as threats off the edge. The Texans did get nice value in former ACC cornerbacks Brandon Harris (Miami) and Rashad Carmichael (Virginia Tech) later in the draft and took a quarterback in North Carolina's T.J. Yates who demonstrated the leadership and intelligence that could someday make him a surprise starter in the NFL.
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What I've like most about our draft picks this year is the intangibles. They all seem to have a good work ethic, confidence, flashes of leadership traits, willingness to learn, willingness to fill multiple roles (versatility), most come off as having a chip on their shoulder fueling their drive to improve.

Don't really feel a sense of entitlement, diva-ness, or a "I've made it now I can take it easy" mindset on them.
 
I'm a big fan of players with a lot of try in them. Too many times we see elite talents become solid players instead of the game-changing players they could be.
 
fwiw pete prisco gave the texans (1 of 3 teams to get one) an A in his grades..



mcshay :rolleyes:

Houston Texans
Best move: Brooks Reed
They didn't think he would fall to them in Round 2, but he's a perfect fit at outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. Reed will line up opposite Connor Barwin with DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing on the inside, forming one of the best young linebacker corps in the NFL.
Most questionable move: Rashad Carmichael
The Texans didn't have a third-round pick, but they could have drafted a better CB than Carmichael in the second round (Buster Skrine). The Texans could have also addressed needs at safety (Robert Sands) or offensive tackle (Jason Pinkston).
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maybe its a typo but the fact im not sure says it all really. fwiw nobody took skrine in the 4th rd either
 
sorry didn't see this thread when I posted mine (was off-line for a couple hours or so working on it) so mods please merge. thank you :shades:
 
I give us an A+++. I'm happy as a pig in sh*t with this draft. Now let's see if we have some coaches that can actually do their job on the D side of the ball. The Texans are getting a lot of kudos by the talking heads and some are even talking Texans in the playoffs. Maybe we can end up like Arizona and get to the SB. But if that happened, I bet we would get an * because of the lockout.
:texflag:
 
rmartin65 said:
Well, another draft has come and gone. What do you think of the Texans' draft? Also, please keep this civil. Yes, we know we are not pros, we know they have information that we are not privy too. Thanks.

Here is what I have:

Round 1- Wisconsin DE JJ Watt- Grade: A+
Quick Analysis- I love this pick. DE is an important position in the 3-4, and Watt is a perfect specimen for the position.

Round 2- Arizona OLB Brooks Reed- Grade: A
Quick Analysis- Another great pick. Reed will be a great pass rusher for years.

Round 2- Miami (U) CB Brandon Harris- Grade: A
Quick Analysis- The 3rd straight money pick, Harris will see the field a lot next year. Hopefully he does not have to start right away.

Round 4- Virginia Tech CB Rashad Carmichael- Grade: C
Quick Analysis- The first “meh” pick. I like him, but we have a lot of corners, and more holes to fill. He does not play to his timed speed, and is not very physical. However, he has a nose for the ball.

Round 5- Idaho SS Shiloh Keo- Grade: B-
Quick Analysis- Keo is a guy I want to give an A grade on, but cant. He lays it on the line every play, but simply lacks the speed to be more than an excellent backup and special teams player.

Round 5- North Carolina QB TJ
Yates- Grade: B-
Quick Analysis- Yates is an interesting pick. QB is not an immediate need, but one that I wished to be filled in the 7th. Yates has potential, but again, there were other players on the board.

Round 7- Arkansas State OT Derek Newton- Grade: C
Quick Analysis- Solid player with good athleticism, but the pick leaves a lot to be desired. 50/50 shot to make the roster.

Round 7- Rice OLB Cheta Ozougwu- Grade: D-
Quick Analysis- Small, unexplosive OLB project without great statistics. A wasted opportunity to lock up a talent difficult to sign as a UDFA.

All in all, I give it a solid B.

The Texans started off white hot, but slowed as the draft went on. The excellent picks of Watt, Reed and Harris were followed by mostly solid picks of Carmichael, Keo, Yates and Newton, before ending in disappointment with Ozougwu.
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I'll go B+ on bumping Keo up to an A .

Why ... Keo had the fastest 20 yd shuttle at the combine at 3.9 . He had the 3rd fastest 3 cone drill at 6.55 . He had the 3rd most BPs at 24 . He ran a 4.7 but Mayok and Deion raved about his feet . As mentioned earlier Prime Time went and shook his hand . Keo ran a 4.66 at his pro day which is what some of the SS we wanted ran . He also returned punts which means he's got some guick feet .
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
I'll go B+ on bumping Keo up to an A .

Why ... Keo had the fastest 20 yd shuttle at the combine at 3.9 . He had the 3rd fastest 3 cone drill at 6.55 . He had the 3rd most BPs at 24 . He ran a 4.7 but Mayok and Deion raved about his feet . As mentioned earlier Prime Time went and shook his hand . Keo ran a 4.66 at his pro day which is what some of the SS we wanted ran . He also returned punts which means he's got some guick feet .
Click to expand...

I agree to an extent. I think I am going to repost draft grades in a week, after the initial emotions wear off. I like Keo enough to bump him to a B right now. He has quick feet, but safeties need to have long speed as well. I like him in goal line sets and on ST. Unless he gets faster (possible if the body fat rumours are true), he will never be an effective starter. I like the pick, but in my eyes an A grade means in the 5th round means down the line starter. B is immediate impact on ST and limited defensive snaps.
 
I agree with all of your grades, but would like to throw out a couple of thoughts.

1) I admit that I was a little disappointed the Texans took Carmichael in the 4th with Quinton Carter still on the board. But, I can take solace in the fact that the Texans have been very successful in drafting 4th round picks that make significant contributions to the team. I agree with your "C" grade for now.

2) I must admit that I'm intrigued by Keo & I especially love his attitude. I can't help but think he could surprise a lot of us once they step back on the field.

3) As for Ozougwu in the 7th, I sure hope the Texans believe he can make the team & it wasn't just a throw in pick. I was really hoping they'd take your boy Blaine Sumner or Deunta Williams with that last pick.

I also could've lived with them taking Mark Herzlich with the last pick & give him the time he needs to fully heal up. Wasn't he there in NY? Imagine the positive PR the team would've gotten if McNair had crossed the line to walk up on stage to greet him.
 
We are the only team to receive an A from Adam Caplan. There were a couple of A minuses though.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/2011-NFL-draft-grades-for-each-team-043011

"Houston Texans: A

Draft picks: DE J.J. Watt (first round), LB Brooks Reed (second round), CB Brandon Harris (second round), CB Rashad Carmichael (fourth round), S Shiloh Keo (fifth round), QB T.J. Yates (fifth round), OL Derek Newton (seventh round), LB Cheta Ozougwu (seventh round).

Analysis: Texans general manager Rick Smith finally started to address the Texans' woeful defense and he did so with the first five selections. The first two draftees should see plenty of time as rookies and the next two could start down the line. Yates could be veteran quarterback Matt Schaub’s eventual replacement in a few years."
 
When my boss told me we were going to Vegas for a convention, I said "Great!". When he said we would be there April 28-30, I thought "Why are those dates so familiar?". So, I saw none of the draft live. And, I've read none of the Phillips/Kubiak/Smith pressers. I won't grade the picks, I don't think you can before ever seeing them play in a Texans uniform. But, I will give my observations.

J.J. Watt - I'm thinking that Antonio Smith's comments post-Phillips hiring had something to do with this pick. Smith said that he wasn't really a 3-4 DE. Maybe Wade agrees with him. If so, Watt is an immediate starter and makes sense as a 1st round pick. Is he the 11th best player in the draft? Will he be a better NFL player than Robert Quinn? That's to be seen. What Watt should be is a good run defender. And overlooked by the Texans historically poor pass defense is that they're not really good at stopping the run, either.

Brooks Reed - I don't think Brooks Reed is the next Clay Matthews. Having said that, Reed was a more productive college player than Matthews. The Texans had to find a 3-4 OLB, and at that point in the draft, Reed was the top player at the position. The question I have is, who will play the weak side, next to Mario? Barwin is the more explosive player, but he also has more agility to cover. My guess is that Reed will play the weak side.

Brandon Harris - Another need pick, but with value. Harris is a productive player from a major college program. Harris is every bit as good a prospect as Kareem Jackson was in 2010. I believe the Texans still need to address a #1 CB in free agency. But, at least Jackson won't be handed a starting job. Harris (and the Texans next selection) will make Jackson earn his position.

Rashad Carmichael - Another corner from a top ACC program known for developing NFL DBs. Just a smart pick, in my estimation. It won't take much from Carmichael to show Brice McCain the door. Not to mention that the Hokie program is known for special teams play.

Shiloh Keo - Small college star who played for Phillips in the Shrine game. Try hard guy who fits the Texans profile. Blocked a kick in the Shrine game and looks to be a good special teamer, which should make Coach Joe happy.

T.J. Yates - I didn't spend time looking at QBs in this draft, but I like what I've seen of Yates, thus far. 4 year starter who really came on his Senior year. What I like about T.J. is that he looks like an athlete and not a stiff (Dan Orlovsky and Matt Leinart). Yates reminds me of a young Sage Rosenfels. And no, that's not a bad thing.

Derek Newton - I thought the Texans would take a raw Tackle with athleticism in the late rounds. I actually mocked Newton to the Texans, but it could have been any one of a handful of prospects. The Texans need to develop a swing Tackle and Newton could be that guy.

Cheta Ozougwu - Another typical Texans pick. Fills a need. Eagle Scout. Has a familiarity with the coaching staff (played for Wade in Shriner’s game). Slightly undersized as an 3-4 OLB, Cheta could convert to the inside if he doesn’t pan out on the outside.

Hard to be upset with this draft. Would it be what I would have chosen at every pick? Will each selection become the best player available where he was taken? That’s not relevant. The question is, will these players help the Texans defense? My estimation is, how can they not.

The drafting of J.J. Watt should make it clear that Antonio Smith’s days in a Texans uniform are numbered. Can Smith bring anything in a trade (whenever that’s allowed)? Based upon his contract ($4.6 mil in 2011, $5.5 mil in 2012, $6 mil in 2013), one would say no. But, we really don’t know for sure what the salary cap landscape will look like post-CBA. Maybe teams will have to spend more $$$ on vets with a rookie salary cap in place. And maybe Smith’s contract won’t be so outrageous.

Or maybe Antonio (along with Amobi Okoye) will be cut outright. Either way, McNair’s earlier comments suggesting the Texans would not need major personnel changes have been proven laughable. Starters Smith, Okoye, Pollard, Wilson, and Diles are likely out. And Kareem Jackson and Shaun Cody are not locks to remain starters. That’s a major overhaul. And whether the Texans moved to a 3-4, or had remained in a base 4-3, the 2010 results demanded a major overhaul.

What’s missing post-draft? A big NT, a starting SS, depth at ILB. Oh, and a #1 CB. That’s what free agency is for. Get your checkbook out, Boss McNair. All these changes would make me nervous any other year. But with a veteran defensive coach like Wade Phillips, I’m quietly optimistic. If Rick Smith and McNair do their jobs, and Gary Kubiak stays out of Phillips’ way, maybe something good can happen at Reliant this season. Maybe.
 
Lucky said:
When my boss told me we were going to Vegas for a convention, I said "Great!". When he said we would be there April 28-30, I thought "Why are those dates so familiar?". So, I saw none of the draft live. And, I've read none of the Phillips/Kubiak/Smith pressers. I won't grade the picks, I don't think you can before ever seeing them play in a Texans uniform. But, I will give my observations.

J.J. Watt - I'm thinking that Antonio Smith's comments post-Phillips hiring had something to do with this pick. Smith said that he wasn't really a 3-4 DE. Maybe Wade agrees with him. If so, Watt is an immediate starter and makes sense as a 1st round pick. Is he the 11th best player in the draft? Will he be a better NFL player than Robert Quinn? That's to be seen. What Watt should be is a good run defender. And overlooked by the Texans historically poor pass defense is that they're not really good at stopping the run, either.

Brooks Reed - I don't think Brooks Reed is the next Clay Matthews. Having said that, Reed was a more productive college player than Matthews. The Texans had to find a 3-4 OLB, and at that point in the draft, Reed was the top player at the position. The question I have is, who will play the weak side, next to Mario? Barwin is the more explosive player, but he also has more agility to cover. My guess is that Reed will play the weak side.

Brandon Harris - Another need pick, but with value. Harris is a productive player from a major college program. Harris is every bit as good a prospect as Kareem Jackson was in 2010. I believe the Texans still need to address a #1 CB in free agency. But, at least Jackson won't be handed a starting job. Harris (and the Texans next selection) will make Jackson earn his position.

Rashad Carmichael - Another corner from a top ACC program known for developing NFL DBs. Just a smart pick, in my estimation. It won't take much from Carmichael to show Brice McCain the door. Not to mention that the Hokie program is known for special teams play.

Shiloh Keo - Small college star who played for Phillips in the Shrine game. Try hard guy who fits the Texans profile. Blocked a kick in the Shrine game and looks to be a good special teamer, which should make Coach Joe happy.

T.J. Yates - I didn't spend time looking at QBs in this draft, but I like what I've seen of Yates, thus far. 4 year starter who really came on his Senior year. What I like about T.J. is that he looks like an athlete and not a stiff (Dan Orlovsky and Matt Leinart). Yates reminds me of a young Sage Rosenfels. And no, that's not a bad thing.

Derek Newton - I thought the Texans would take a raw Tackle with athleticism in the late rounds. I actually mocked Newton to the Texans, but it could have been any one of a handful of prospects. The Texans need to develop a swing Tackle and Newton could be that guy.

Cheta Ozougwu - Another typical Texans pick. Fills a need. Eagle Scout. Has a familiarity with the coaching staff (played for Wade in Shriner’s game). Slightly undersized as an 3-4 OLB, Cheta could convert to the inside if he doesn’t pan out on the outside.

Hard to be upset with this draft. Would it be what I would have chosen at every pick? Will each selection become the best player available where he was taken? That’s not relevant. The question is, will these players help the Texans defense? My estimation is, how can they not.

The drafting of J.J. Watt should make it clear that Antonio Smith’s days in a Texans uniform are numbered. Can Smith bring anything in a trade (whenever that’s allowed)? Based upon his contract ($4.6 mil in 2011, $5.5 mil in 2012, $6 mil in 2013), one would say no. But, we really don’t know for sure what the salary cap landscape will look like post-CBA. Maybe teams will have to spend more $$$ on vets with a rookie salary cap in place. And maybe Smith’s contract won’t be so outrageous.

Or maybe Antonio (along with Amobi Okoye) will be cut outright. Either way, McNair’s earlier comments suggesting the Texans would not need major personnel changes have been proven laughable. Starters Smith, Okoye, Pollard, Wilson, and Diles are likely out. And Kareem Jackson and Shaun Cody are not locks to remain starters. That’s a major overhaul. And whether the Texans moved to a 3-4, or had remained in a base 4-3, the 2010 results demanded a major overhaul.

What’s missing post-draft? A big NT, a starting SS, depth at ILB. Oh, and a #1 CB. That’s what free agency is for. Get your checkbook out, Boss McNair. All these changes would make me nervous any other year. But with a veteran defensive coach like Wade Phillips, I’m quietly optimistic. If Rick Smith and McNair do their jobs, and Gary Kubiak stays out of Phillips’ way, maybe something good can happen at Reliant this season. Maybe.
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Antonio isn't going anywhere. If the Watt pick signals anything, it is the willingness of the organization to let Mario walk away after 2011 or 2012. If you heard the Reggie Herring interview, he was clear that the team sees Smith as a centerpiece of the defense. Furthermore, he hinted strongly that Mario does not play with the same intensity and effort that Smith, Cushing, Watt, and Reed do... Of course, that is not exactly shocking news from where I sit.
 
dalemurphy said:
Antonio isn't going anywhere. If the Watt pick signals anything, it is the willingness of the organization to let Mario walk away after 2011 or 2012. If you heard the Reggie Herring interview, he was clear that the team sees Smith as a centerpiece of the defense. Furthermore, he hinted strongly that Mario does not play with the same intensity and effort that Smith, Cushing, Watt, and Reed do... Of course, that is not exactly shocking news from where I sit.
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[citation needed]

Wade Phillips said:
“I think it gives us a lot of versatility with Mario now,” Phillips said. “[Watt] can play the left end for you and that gives you some versatility with what you want to do with Mario. I think that’s a big key point for us also.”
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I like the draft a lot, but for those of you saying we didn't get the hallmark 'Rick Smith diamond in the rough DB' pick, check out this quote:

Texans GM Rick Smith said Keo's strengths are not in his measurables.

"(Keo) is one of those players that you talk about as a diamond in the rough," said Smith. "He doesn’t have great measurables, but what he has intangible-wise and what he adds from a physical standpoint, he has tremendous ball skills. He is a very heady player with great football instincts."
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I guess this time it's actually someone we have heard of... lol
 
dalemurphy said:
Antonio isn't going anywhere. If the Watt pick signals anything, it is the willingness of the organization to let Mario walk away after 2011 or 2012.
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This organization? You're delusional if you believe Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith have better footing than Mario Williams. Smithiak is hanging onto their jobs by their fingernails. And it's Wade Phillips getting the maximum out of the defensive talent (starting with Mario) that will save Smithiak's collective a$$.
 
I don't think Mario or Smith are going anywhere. Before this draft we had 2 legitimate 3-4 ends. We now have 3 and they are all versatile so we can have an actual rotation for once. Mario can play some OLB to get Watt extra snaps which will help spell Barwin and Reed. All of them are going to play a lot.
 
Lucky said:
When my boss told me we were going to Vegas for a convention, I said "Great!". When he said we would be there April 28-30, I thought "Why are those dates so familiar?". So, I saw none of the draft live. And, I've read none of the Phillips/Kubiak/Smith pressers. I won't grade the picks, I don't think you can before ever seeing them play in a Texans uniform. But, I will give my observations.

J.J. Watt - I'm thinking that Antonio Smith's comments post-Phillips hiring had something to do with this pick. Smith said that he wasn't really a 3-4 DE. Maybe Wade agrees with him. If so, Watt is an immediate starter and makes sense as a 1st round pick. Is he the 11th best player in the draft? Will he be a better NFL player than Robert Quinn? That's to be seen. What Watt should be is a good run defender. And overlooked by the Texans historically poor pass defense is that they're not really good at stopping the run, either.

Brooks Reed - I don't think Brooks Reed is the next Clay Matthews. Having said that, Reed was a more productive college player than Matthews. The Texans had to find a 3-4 OLB, and at that point in the draft, Reed was the top player at the position. The question I have is, who will play the weak side, next to Mario? Barwin is the more explosive player, but he also has more agility to cover. My guess is that Reed will play the weak side.

Brandon Harris - Another need pick, but with value. Harris is a productive player from a major college program. Harris is every bit as good a prospect as Kareem Jackson was in 2010. I believe the Texans still need to address a #1 CB in free agency. But, at least Jackson won't be handed a starting job. Harris (and the Texans next selection) will make Jackson earn his position.

Rashad Carmichael - Another corner from a top ACC program known for developing NFL DBs. Just a smart pick, in my estimation. It won't take much from Carmichael to show Brice McCain the door. Not to mention that the Hokie program is known for special teams play.

Shiloh Keo - Small college star who played for Phillips in the Shrine game. Try hard guy who fits the Texans profile. Blocked a kick in the Shrine game and looks to be a good special teamer, which should make Coach Joe happy.

T.J. Yates - I didn't spend time looking at QBs in this draft, but I like what I've seen of Yates, thus far. 4 year starter who really came on his Senior year. What I like about T.J. is that he looks like an athlete and not a stiff (Dan Orlovsky and Matt Leinart). Yates reminds me of a young Sage Rosenfels. And no, that's not a bad thing.

Derek Newton - I thought the Texans would take a raw Tackle with athleticism in the late rounds. I actually mocked Newton to the Texans, but it could have been any one of a handful of prospects. The Texans need to develop a swing Tackle and Newton could be that guy.

Cheta Ozougwu - Another typical Texans pick. Fills a need. Eagle Scout. Has a familiarity with the coaching staff (played for Wade in Shriner’s game). Slightly undersized as an 3-4 OLB, Cheta could convert to the inside if he doesn’t pan out on the outside.

Hard to be upset with this draft. Would it be what I would have chosen at every pick? Will each selection become the best player available where he was taken? That’s not relevant. The question is, will these players help the Texans defense? My estimation is, how can they not.

The drafting of J.J. Watt should make it clear that Antonio Smith’s days in a Texans uniform are numbered. Can Smith bring anything in a trade (whenever that’s allowed)? Based upon his contract ($4.6 mil in 2011, $5.5 mil in 2012, $6 mil in 2013), one would say no. But, we really don’t know for sure what the salary cap landscape will look like post-CBA. Maybe teams will have to spend more $$$ on vets with a rookie salary cap in place. And maybe Smith’s contract won’t be so outrageous.

Or maybe Antonio (along with Amobi Okoye) will be cut outright. Either way, McNair’s earlier comments suggesting the Texans would not need major personnel changes have been proven laughable. Starters Smith, Okoye, Pollard, Wilson, and Diles are likely out. And Kareem Jackson and Shaun Cody are not locks to remain starters. That’s a major overhaul. And whether the Texans moved to a 3-4, or had remained in a base 4-3, the 2010 results demanded a major overhaul.

What’s missing post-draft? A big NT, a starting SS, depth at ILB. Oh, and a #1 CB. That’s what free agency is for. Get your checkbook out, Boss McNair. All these changes would make me nervous any other year. But with a veteran defensive coach like Wade Phillips, I’m quietly optimistic. If Rick Smith and McNair do their jobs, and Gary Kubiak stays out of Phillips’ way, maybe something good can happen at Reliant this season. Maybe.
Click to expand...

This is a quality review and analysis (and no I don't agree with it all). The approach of "Would it be what I would have chosen at every pick? Will each selection become the best player available where he was taken? That’s not relevant." gives a basis for constructive conversation.
 
dalemurphy said:
Antonio isn't going anywhere. If the Watt pick signals anything, it is the willingness of the organization to let Mario walk away after 2011 or 2012. If you heard the Reggie Herring interview, he was clear that the team sees Smith as a centerpiece of the defense. Furthermore, he hinted strongly that Mario does not play with the same intensity and effort that Smith, Cushing, Watt, and Reed do... Of course, that is not exactly shocking news from where I sit.
Click to expand...

I disagree completely. The only mention of Antonio was that he was the same type of player along with Cushing, Reed and Watt as high energy players. I have heard nothing but how Mario is the center piece to this defense and and is what is gonna make this defense work. Gary, Wade and Herring all said that.
 
rmartin65 said:
Round 5- Idaho SS Shiloh Keo- Grade: B-
Quick Analysis- Keo is a guy I want to give an A grade on, but cant. He lays it on the line every play, but simply lacks the speed to be more than an excellent backup and special teams player.
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Honoring Earl 34 said:
I'll go B+ on bumping Keo up to an A .

Why ... Keo had the fastest 20 yd shuttle at the combine at 3.9 . He had the 3rd fastest 3 cone drill at 6.55 . He had the 3rd most BPs at 24 . He ran a 4.7 but Mayok and Deion raved about his feet . As mentioned earlier Prime Time went and shook his hand . Keo ran a 4.66 at his pro day which is what some of the SS we wanted ran . He also returned punts which means he's got some guick feet .
Click to expand...

Looking at those shuttle and 3 cone numbers , it would seem he can change direction , break on the ball quickly and should be good in traffic .... Probably played a big part in his success as in the return game.

Anyone have his 10 & 20 yard split numbers ? A quick 10-20 could make up for a whole lot .... Its not often a guy runs 40 yards in a straight line in the NFL.
 
Corrosion said:
Looking at those shuttle and 3 cone numbers , it would seem he can change direction , break on the ball quickly and should be good in traffic .... Probably played a big part in his success as in the return game.

Anyone have his 10 & 20 yard split numbers ? A quick 10-20 could make up for a whole lot .... Its not often a guy runs 40 yards in a straight line in the NFL.
Click to expand...

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=SS&draftyear=2011&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC
 
Lucky said:
So, you think Antonio Smith will suit up for the Texans in 2011?
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Especially if we are under no cap for 2011, I think we will see the three. For 2012, (cap or no) good chance that we might be down to just Watt.
 
ArlingtonTexan said:
Especially if we are under no cap for 2011, I think we will see the three.
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I think if there's no cap in 2011, Smith will be much easier to trade. Especially in a player-for-player swap where the Texans take salary back. I just can't see keeping a disgruntled Smith on the team. Not after the Dunta experience. It's not the Texans' way of doing business.
 
Mario will be going nowhere. On the defensive side of the football, noone has more physical talent and gifted ability. I'd go a step further and say there's few, if any on the entire team more gifted.

He will be the staple of the defense and noone will be more of a beneficiary of Wade Phillips' defense than Williams..

To the topic at hand, I'm very high on the top three picks.

JJ Watt is a guy with a relentless motor, energy for days and really has a high football IQ. He's also far from having maxed his potential and will bust his behind each down. If he doesn't get to the QB, it won't be by lack of effort, and in essence, having a buzzsaw like him in the lineup will prevent double teams from happening on Williams, Brooks Reed and Barwin. In a nutshell, he is the yoman that moves the boulders out the way, allowing traffic to flow smoothly and easily. I see him as a Chris Long clone. Long has had a major impact on the improvement of St. Louis' defense, and I see Watt having the same on Houston's defense. I see him as a 70 tackle, 7-8 sack a year guy.

Reed, I've been high on for quite some time. Motor, energy, football IQ, work ethic, speed off the edges and natural pass rush skills are going for him. Some call him Clay Matthews II, I see him a mix of Matthews and Anthony Spencer. I can see him as a regular in the 12-13 sack a year guy.

When it comes to Brandon Harris, the first thing that comes to mind is natural ball coverage ability. He's got a work ethic to kill for, has a natural on field awareness, and knows where the ball is and when to get to it. He may be the most natural cover CB in this draft. Won't get a ton of interceptions, however before long he won't be thrown at all that often either.

I like the Carmichael pick. I saw him against several name players in this year's draft (Titus Young and Austin Pettis, Leonard Hankerson, and Greg Little) and was vastly impressed with his coverage skills and nose for the football.

Unlike some, I'm not quite ready to give up on Kareem Jackson just yet, and think there were several variables that prevented him from really flourishing as a rookie. I think sliding Carmichael into the nickel, having a vastly improved pass rush and having another natural coverage corner like Harris in the lineup will really allow Jackson to show his coverage skill set. Eugene Wilson, Jason Allen, Bernard Pollard or even Glover Quin really fit that "ball hawk" mentality, and Wilson, Allen and Pollard were at times (more often than not) liabilities in coverage. With these additions via the draft, I really don't see any liabilities.

I'm iffy on the Keo pick. He has good speed, but I question his recovery skills. Seems to be ok in certain coverage sets.. He's a work in progress. I won't cast a negative light on him, but won't tell you I was overwhelmed with the pick either.

Yates is a bit of a wild card. In the future, I can see him being Schaub's heir apparent. However, I think another WR, Offensive Lineman or NT should have been the pick here. Yates was a bit of a luxury pick.

I don't much have hopes for the sixth and seventh round picks per nature. Usually those kids are the ones who fill out the roster and anything you get from them is an added bonus. Derek Newton is a raw lump of clay, but one with some potential. I think he's someone we can take a look at in three years and call a sleeper.

Ozougwu (sic), eh. Special teams maybe? A situational rotational player perhaps? In the late seventh, I'm not going to ***** either way.

If grading the draft, I'm going to give it a solid B+. High on the first four picks, think Newton and Yates could be ok for the future but do nothing for the immediate. Not addressing the NT and WR 2 position knocks this down a peg or two.

In all, I'm satisfied with what they did. That B could quickly become an A in a hurry.
 
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