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Texans Draft I've never been so lost

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
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I bet would of. I’ve said I like him but watch the game tapes. Not many available but he’s just not really impressive. I love his measurables and was hoping for him later but he wasn’t a first round pick. He’s a project plain and simple. Look at where all the other OL went. Why is it so hard to believe Howard would of fallen? What are you seeing that makes you so sure he goes before 54?
Not that I disagree with you. For the most part, yeah, I get it.

The thing that intrigues me about Howard is that he is raw, trending up, still growing. Big gamble for the Texans to take him where they did.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
& that's what I'm saying. How do we know that he wasn't their bpa?

We know there was something the whole league didn't like about the CBs in this draft. We know there was something that caused the whole league to look at Juwan Taylor differently than outsiders did. We know 24 teams brought this OT from Alabama State in for a look see & he was one of a very small group of players thought to have the ability to play LT.
He was their bpa. Just because he wasn't the fans or draftnicks bpa doesn't mean he wasn't the Texans.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame

Porky

Hall of Fame
Feeling the love. We got the second worst rating in the NFL from USA Today. At least we beat the Giants at something...

Uninspired is the perfect word. Reich/Ballard is literally running rings around the OB/Gaine duo right now. The Colts are the team to beat going forward and uninspired, lackluster drafts such as this one isn't going to cut it. Even more so when the lumps of athletic clay are being molded by the equivalent of a Pee Wee league set of coaches at Oline, with an OC/HC that has a serious identity crisis, if not full blown multiple personality disorder.

Houston Texans: D

To describe their draft as uninspired might prove kind. Only history will determine whether GM Brian Gaine panicked by taking Alabama State OT Tytus Howard in the first round after letting the Eagles jump him for Dillard, who seemed like the perfect guy to step in and safeguard battered QB Deshaun Watson. Also some skepticism as to how much Howard, second-round OT Max Scharping and third-round TE Kahale Warring are equipped to help this team immediately.
 

steelbtexan

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Feeling the love. We got the second worst rating in the NFL from USA Today. At least we beat the Giants at something...

Uninspired is the perfect word. Reich/Ballard is literally running rings around the OB/Gaine duo right now. The Colts are the team to beat going forward and uninspired, lackluster drafts such as this one isn't going to cut it. Even more so when the lumps of athletic clay are being molded by the equivalent of a Pee Wee league set of coaches at Oline, with an OC/HC that has a serious identity crisis, if not full blown multiple personality disorder.
The Colts were the team to beat before they signed Justin Houston in FA and the draft.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
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He gave up a 6th in that draft. This draft would have been a 3rd since Eagles gave up a 4th 2 spots behind we were picking and we didn’t have. a 4th.
If you dont have a 4th this yr and dont want to give up the 3rd (Warring) offer a 2020 3rd and a 2019 5th. I would've given up a 2020 2nd to get the best LT in this draft. (IMHO)
 

TheKDog

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That brings up another thing, why didn't they just take Taylor who could start at RT right away? That would not have been a first round reach.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
That brings up another thing, why didn't they just take Taylor who could start at RT right away? That would not have been a first round reach.
Health concerns presumably. But how many players will be injured or end their careers with their go slow program? Then those are holes which need replacemets.

You're an 11-5 team. If you don't throw all caution to the win like the Broncos then you at least demand immediate impact.
 

TheKDog

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Must've been the medicals.

For the record I didn't want Taylor at 23. He went where he should've gone. (2nd rd) IMHO

I know I differ from the other draftniks when it come to Taylor.
Then how did Kalil pass the medical?

Maybe they could have gotten both Taylor and Howard at 55
 

TheKDog

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How about trading up for Dillard and drafting Scharping in the 2nd.
I don't see it with scharpring. He has the size but that's it. Not good athleticism or technique. Probably ends up a backup guard. I think Howard has the tools to start at either tackle spot if he develops properly
 

steelbtexan

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I don't see it with scharpring. He has the size but that's it. Not good athleticism or technique. Probably ends up a backup guard. I think Howard has the tools to start at either tackle spot if he develops properly
I see a huge guy that is a very good technician.

Go look at some of his tape against a very athletic Burns, he was plenty athletic enough to handle Burns speed and basically stonewalled Burns all game long.

We will see who's right. In this case I hope I'm right because the Texans could stand some OT help right away.
 

HuttoKarl

Veteran
I think the biggest takeaway from this draft for me is the idea of drafting "project players"....every guy in this draft is a project player. Every guy drafted is a project. Some work out really well...some are adequate...some never quite catch on.

Derrick Harvey was some dominant "NFL Ready" player out of college...he wrapped his career with 8 sacks.

Brian Bosworth...don't even need to say anything else.

Maybe it was crap coaching, but Vernon Gholston was expected to be a horse...he was more of a shetland pony with one hoof missing and a really short rear left leg.

Aaron Curry was said to be one of the safest prospects ever...what'd he do?

Tony Mandarich, Robert Gallery, Vince Young (I want to blame Jeff Fisher, but come on, Vince), Trent Richardson, Charles Rogers, Dan Wilkinson....the list goes on.

They're all project players no matter what Pete Prisco, Mel Kiper, Jr, that Raiders GM, or anyone says.

I'm glad we came up with two Tackles...I never like seeing Houston draft a TE but will give them the benefit of the doubt on their third rounder...the one pick that I think could have been better spent was the 7th rounder but it's pretty much like picking a UDFA at that point anyway (I would have snagged the fastest WR or RB available instead).
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
I think the biggest takeaway from this draft for me is the idea of drafting "project players"....every guy in this draft is a project player. Every guy drafted is a project. Some work out really well...some are adequate...some never quite catch on.

Derrick Harvey was some dominant "NFL Ready" player out of college...he wrapped his career with 8 sacks.

Brian Bosworth...don't even need to say anything else.

Maybe it was crap coaching, but Vernon Gholston was expected to be a horse...he was more of a shetland pony with one hoof missing and a really short rear left leg.

Aaron Curry was said to be one of the safest prospects ever...what'd he do?

Tony Mandarich, Robert Gallery, Vince Young (I want to blame Jeff Fisher, but come on, Vince), Trent Richardson, Charles Rogers, Dan Wilkinson....the list goes on.

They're all project players no matter what Pete Prisco, Mel Kiper, Jr, that Raiders GM, or anyone says.

I'm glad we came up with two Tackles...I never like seeing Houston draft a TE but will give them the benefit of the doubt on their third rounder...the one pick that I think could have been better spent was the 7th rounder but it's pretty much like picking a UDFA at that point anyway (I would have snagged the fastest WR or RB available instead).
I really like your post and agree, low floor players, except Mad Max, both Howard and Lonnie, for early picks, are projects but with high ceilings. Guess Cal gave them a vote of confidence and their jobs are secure for at least two or three years, then we’ll see.
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
I really like your post and agree, low floor players, except Mad Max, both Howard and Lonnie, for early picks, are projects but with high ceilings. Guess Cal gave them a vote of confidence and their jobs are secure for at least two or three years, then we’ll see.
Agreed. Only “safe” pick is Scharping. But if they can hit ceiling on at least 2 of the other players then this draft is a huge success.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
I think the biggest takeaway from this draft for me is the idea of drafting "project players"....every guy in this draft is a project player. Every guy drafted is a project. Some work out really well...some are adequate...some never quite catch on.
Everyone has to hone and add to their technique, get NFL conditioning, hone their fundamentals and learn NFL systems. That's transitioning and not all can do that. But doesn't mean they can't immediately start and contribute. Being a project simply means a substantial amount of time on the bench should be anticipated.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
I differ from Gaine,

I've stated Dillard was my #1 rated OL in this draft and I would've traded up for him.

I cant make out what you're trying to imply here.
Trade for Thomas bit em in the butt for more reason than just his injury when Texans really needed him. That 4th would have helped tremendously to get fair value. Personally I’m with you and would have traded 3rd and swapped lesser pick for Dillard.
 

TheKDog

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Trade for Thomas bit em in the butt for more reason than just his injury when Texans really needed him. That 4th would have helped tremendously to get fair value. Personally I’m with you and would have traded 3rd and swapped lesser pick for Dillard.
Yep, that trade was dumb. It was a rental for a team that had no chance of advancing far in the playoffs. Waste.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Yep, that trade was dumb. It was a rental for a team that had no chance of advancing far in the playoffs. Waste.
Got to love the hindsight here. Really is no pleasing some people, Texans grab a player to try and boost an injured roster before a playoff run and its called a waste. Texans do nothing and don't grab someone and they are called cheap and said to not be serious about winning.
 

TheKDog

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I don't think it was a rental..As we've seen, Texans seem quite willing to pay (well overpay even) for 1 year of a veteran contract. The injury changed everything here.
The problem is he had a huge cap hit for 2019. I doubt they would have kept him at that price even if healthy. Only hope was a restructure
 

TheKDog

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Got to love the hindsight here. Really is no pleasing some people, Texans grab a player to try and boost an injured roster before a playoff run and its called a waste. Texans do nothing and don't grab someone and they are called cheap and said to not be serious about winning.
That was my opinion at the time
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Got to love the hindsight here. Really is no pleasing some people, Texans grab a player to try and boost an injured roster before a playoff run and its called a waste. Texans do nothing and don't grab someone and they are called cheap and said to not be serious about winning.
I’m not even questioning acquisition per say, it’s the impact on ability to trade up in the draft. That part is hindsight but lesson that must be learned from. Got to have a better back-up plan.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
The biggest thing that I beginning to get a clearer picture; BoGaine cares a ton about the roster being constructing with versatile players with specific athletic profiles seemingly over traditional need and BPA. At least, for me, it gives me an understanding of how decisions will be made.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
The problem is he had a huge cap hit for 2019. I doubt they would have kept him at that price even if healthy. Only hope was a restructure
They still have the cap space to carry that contract...I was quite aware when I typed it.
 

disaacks3

Moderator
Staff member
I decided to take a couple of days to digest what the Texans did in the draft (after watching how little they did in FA).

The Texans had a mediocre draft at best, mainly by reaching for folks who they could've gotten more value at later...and we did it more than once. I get that you need a partner to dance, but it appears the Texans weren't trying all that hard.

Matt Hammond's tweet sums our first pick up nicely :
Tytus Howard dominated the Senior Bowl. According to @pff, he had the highest “win rate” of any OT in 1-on-1s.

Maybe he’ll be a good player, but the Texans didn’t need to take him at 23.

There may be a good result.

But this is bad process
.
From our B grade at SI, to our B- at Sporting News, standard C+ from Kiper & NFL.com, to the C minuses at CBS & USA Today, it's not just me that's frustrated by the Texans "plan".

Sure, it's not the crazy Ditka "trade everything" plan, but it's not exactly reassuring. I'm not upset with the players we drafted by any means. My issue lies more with the fact that we could've gotten better value and maybe added another immediate impact player for the same value we spent. Most good teams don't draft "projects" in round one. We did. 4 days later and I'm still not hearing about other teams having him rated so highly that he wouldn't have been there in the 2nd.
 

Porky

Hall of Fame
I decided to take a couple of days to digest what the Texans did in the draft (after watching how little they did in FA).

The Texans had a mediocre draft at best, mainly by reaching for folks who they could've gotten more value at later...and we did it more than once. I get that you need a partner to dance, but it appears the Texans weren't trying all that hard.

Sure, it's not the crazy Ditka "trade everything" plan, but it's not exactly reassuring. I'm not upset with the players we drafted by any means. My issue lies more with the fact that we could've gotten better value and maybe added another immediate impact player for the same value we spent. Most good teams don't draft "projects" in round one. We did. 4 days later and I'm still not hearing about other teams having him rated so highly that he wouldn't have been there in the 2nd.
Agreed and to piggy back on your thoughts...

As it relates specifically to the first round, the inaction is what I'm most ticked about.

I would have been much happier with either trading up a spot or two and taking the best pure LT in the draft...

OR

Even if they really liked Howard enough to stick their neck out for the young man and didn't want to wait to see if he dropped to 54, which was an unknown, they could have found a dance partner, traded down either late into the first, or into the top of the 2nd and had a good chance to select him. And if by off chance, he was nabbed, there were other good prospects. The Colts did exactly that.

OR

If you insist on standing pat, take Cody Ford. Yes, Ford isn't a LT. He may not even be a RT. But he was a member of arguably one of the best olines in the country, is mean and nasty on the field and for a rookie is as close to field ready as you'll find. You have a plug and play instant starter road grader at RG for the next 10 years with a very high floor and with very low bust potential. Worst case, he's a quality long term RG. There's no shame in that game!

Instead, they did the worst possible thing - sit tight and draft a raw, small school "athlete", who is nowhere close to being ready to be the body guard that Watson needs at LT. Can he get there? Sure! In 3 years, we may very well be talking about what a great pick this was. But, we could also be talking about how poorly he has come along, and only be backup worthy or even...egads off the roster. I'm just not in favor of boom or bust players in round 1 that are raw and need lots of work, especially without some maneuvering around to add additional value somewhere else...and even more so considering the position and lack of current help on the roster.

I guess my final thoughts are that the Texans draft tells me they are NOT in win now mode. This is a long term draft. Might be good by 2020 and great by 2021 (MIGHT) but it's not going to do a whole lot to help in 2019 while you have Watson on his rookie contract. The whole thinking process of this off-season just infuriates me. Nothing in FA, and by the time this draft class pans out, Watson will need big $$$$$.
 

thunderkyss

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I differ from Gaine,

I've stated Dillard was my #1 rated OL in this draft and I would've traded up for him.

I cant make out what you're trying to imply here.
My question is why is it ok for you to differ in your rankings & valuations, but not Gaine. You would have done things differently. BG did things differently. Why is your way more right than his?
 

steelbtexan

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My question is why is it ok for you to differ in your rankings & valuations, but not Gaine. You would have done things differently. BG did things differently. Why is your way more right than his?
I wanted the guy who I think is the best OT in the draft. Trading a 3rd Rd pick to get who i consider to be a franchise LT is a small price to pay. There's a reason the Eagles are where they are and the Texans are where they are. One team is an aggressive risk taker and the other is passive just like they've been since their inception.

Gaine saw things differently, we will see who is right. But make no mistake one player will be better than the other. Time will tell who is right and if I'm right, I will hold Gaine to the same standard that I did the former GM.

The thing I really didn't like was the lack of aggressiveness, the Johnson pick was the head scratcher for me. Even more so than the Howard pick, which I understood but didn't care for.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
I wanted the guy who I think is the best OT in the draft. Trading a 3rd Rd pick to get who i consider to be a franchise LT is a small price to pay. There's a reason the Eagles are where they are and the Texans are where they are. One team is an aggressive risk taker and the other is passive just like they've been since their inception.

Gaine saw things differently, we will see who is right. But make no mistake one player will be better than the other. Time will tell who is right and if I'm right, I will hold Gaine to the same standard that I did the former GM.

The thing I really didn't like was the lack of aggressiveness, the Johnson pick was the head scratcher for me. Even more so than the Howard pick, which I understood but didn't care for.
Some say Cam Robinson was the dude. I remember everyone talking up Greg Robinson who is basically a journeyman. I will admit, even as my homie used to scout for the 49ers, fans dont see a quarter of it. If Dillard was who people thought he was, why did he last until 22? When was the last time a franchise tackle wasn't taken until the 20s? So many in the league thought he was a solid prospect, nothing special. We will see in time.
 

steelbtexan

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Some say Cam Robinson was the dude. I remember everyone talking up Greg Robinson who is basically a journeyman. I will admit, even as my homie used to scout for the 49ers, fans dont see a quarter of it. If Dillard was who people thought he was, why did he last until 22? When was the last time a franchise tackle wasn't taken until the 20s? So many in the league thought he was a solid prospect, nothing special. We will see in time.
Jason Peters/Cam Robinson/Bahktiari/Armstead/Donovan Smith/Staley/DB/Leno/Viilanueva/Bollles are all LT's drafted after 22.
 
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