Knowing the Texans need to shore up the O-Line, I became curious about in what rounds starting o-linemen for other teams had been drafted. So I picked a few teams at random and did some research. I looked into the Colts (undefeated), Broncos (strong record and known for zone blocking), Pats (Super Bowl champs) and Falcons (winning record and happened to be on tv today) first team o-lines to see how their current starters entered the league. Here's what I found:
Broncos: one first round pick, two fourth round picks, one 7th round pick and one rookie undrafted free agent.
Colts: one first rounder, one fourth rounder, one fifth rounder and two undrafted rookie free agents.
Pats: one first rounder, one second rounder, one third rounder, one fifth rounder and two rookie undrafted free agents. There's six here, because I include Matt Light, who is injured.
Falcons: one second rounder, one fifth rounder and three seventh rounders.
What does all this prove? I suppose a couple of things. One, that you can find quality offensive linemen later in the draft and even pluck a find from the ranks of the undrafted. Two, that other teams must have better scouting and player development than we do.
Broncos: one first round pick, two fourth round picks, one 7th round pick and one rookie undrafted free agent.
Colts: one first rounder, one fourth rounder, one fifth rounder and two undrafted rookie free agents.
Pats: one first rounder, one second rounder, one third rounder, one fifth rounder and two rookie undrafted free agents. There's six here, because I include Matt Light, who is injured.
Falcons: one second rounder, one fifth rounder and three seventh rounders.
What does all this prove? I suppose a couple of things. One, that you can find quality offensive linemen later in the draft and even pluck a find from the ranks of the undrafted. Two, that other teams must have better scouting and player development than we do.