I spent the weekend at a buddy's wedding, so I was unable to watch the draft live, and am only now really catching up on who went where and when. I'll do the V8 thing, but first, I think I'll write down some of my thoughts/reactions.
First Round- I hate the Watson trade up. I don't even like Watson had we stayed at 25, I certainly hate him at 12. I know people are excited to have a potential franchise QB (1st round QBs are so exciting!!!!!), but I dont think Watson is that guy. I think his accuracy is over-inflated because of the system he was in at Clemson, and I am concerned about his arm strength. You have to be good at both, and I am afraid that Watson is not (yet?) NFL ready at either. Add in some reservations about his reads, and I am just not a fan. I sincerely hope that I am wrong. He seems like a great young man, a great leader, and I wish him and the Texans the best here. But... like I said, I wouldn't have taken him at 25, let alone spending the extra 1st to move up to 12. However, you have to give the FO so credit- they identified their guy and then went out to get him. If their evaluation is correct, it will look like a great move.
Second Round- I love, love, love Cunningham. Like several others here, I would have been stoked to get him at 25- to see him drop to the late 2nd is incredible. Now, he isn't a thumper, so people need to be realistic in what we are getting. He also isn't a pure coverage 'backer, though I think he is certainly above average in that regard. He is, however, great at finding the ball carrier. His read and react skills are top notch, and his athleticism is incredible. Again, I love this pick.
Third Round- Meh. I like the player, but I would have gone with another position. I think Foreman has nice potential, and I rather like the fact that he had relatively few carries in college. I'd like to see him use his size more, but as it stands now, he should still be an excellent partner for Miller. Don't expect much in the passing game, though.
Fourth round- Well, Davenport likely has the highest upside among the tackles available at this pick. I like the pick, and in the context of the Texans draft I would give it an A... but I wish the Texans had used a pick on OT earlier, so this pick wouldn't be necessary. Although.. looking at the draft, perhaps there really wasn't a better time to take an OT. I like Watkins; I dont see a star or anything, but I see him being a valuable member of a DL rotation.
Fifth Round- I honestly don't know much about Decoud. Seems like a safety to me, maybe a guy who comes in and focuses on athletic TEs. I cant I like the position, but like with Davenport (although more so, because I do see a spot to take a safety earlier), I wish a safety was taken earlier, making this pick unnecessary.
Seventh Round- Depth interior lineman, can't complain. I dont know if he actually makes the roster this year (or ever, really), but it is a 7th round pick at a position we could use some depth at.
All in all, I would give this draft a B/B-. The draft got off to an awful start in my opinion, but then the Cunningham pick really turned it around for me. Foreman is a meh pick based solely on position, Davenport, Watkins and Decoud are small pluses, and Fuller is neither good nor bad. The Watson pick and the surrounding trade just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and keeps me from really enjoying the draft class. And since your first (or in this case, 2 firsts) has to be the headliner of your draft, I cant justify anything more than a B here.
Now, as for the V8 thing-
I'll do this as an exercise not in hindsight, but rather who I would have taken at each spot based on my player grades. To start off, I would not have done the trade up.
1.25- Zach Cunningham. The dude is a stud, simple as that.
2.57- Dion Dawkins. I have him as a mid second kind of guy, so I am pretty thrilled he is available.
3.89- John Johnson.
4.130- Nathan Peterman. Looking back it is early, but I would have given him a shot.
4.142- Jake Butt.
5.169- Chase Roullier.
7.243- Jarron Jones
Anyway, on to the season. And, of course, next year's draft. Though with no first or second rounders... we better hope the Texans hit on their most recent picks.
