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Grade The Texan's Draft
- Thread starter O.G.
- Start date
Elite said:Well overall i give the texans draft a F- CASS needs to retire or look for another franchise to screwover not us for god sakes the saints raped us with the trade.
Huh? Saints raped us... Dude... your a rookie on this board, do us all a favor and stay a rookie..
We made a trade for next years deeper draft and it cost us only 3 spots... for a third... Pure ****in genius. And we get the top Dt on the board to light some fire and kick the tires big daddy.
Honoring Earl 34
Something Witty !
I give the draft a B. All drafts can't be judged for a year or two . The Patriots were laughed at for drafting Richard Seymour and that worked out .If you go back and look at our mock , we were way of base alot . I guess the NFL guys are wrong . Just to brag all my picks went higher than where I picked them . What grade would I get from the Wild Black bear ?
I just saw the Saints got us . Thats funny ,Leno better watch it .
We don't know Payne and Walker are even on the expansion list without an agreement by the Texans to take Boselli. Without picking up Boselli, the Texans could have Joe Deloach & Corey Sears as starters.lucky13 said:
The fact is that no one knew for certain that Boselli couldn't come back. If the Texans doctors hadn't given the OK, I doubt the deal would have been made. I have too much respect for this organization to believe they'd produce thousands of Boselli jerseys knowing full well he'd never play a down for the team. They took a chance and missed. Boselli's contract has been off the books for 2 years and it's not stopping the Texans from anything. The pursuit of Pace proves that. It's an old, worn out story. Let's park it.
TexanExile
A New Hope
It's too early to give a grade, obviously, but it's safe to say Houston didn't do as well as some teams out there, and certainly did better than some others. Other than that very broad "grade," not much else can be said until camp gets underway.
I expect Travis Johnson to be on the field a LOT, because I'm confident that one of the current starting D-linemen won't make it through the season.
Personally, I would've gone O-line before picking Morency, but I wasn't a fan of the Jason Babin trade, so I should shut up about it, right?
Again, it's likely that DD will miss some games--and when he DOES go down, he'll have to push Hollings off the stretcher to get out of the stadium. Depth was needed.
LOVE the Mathis pick. This was a blue-collar, bargain version of Troy Williamson...pure speed. Could end up being the deep threat Corey Bradford was supposed to be in 2004. If he's as good as advertised (and Kiper wouldn't shut his yap about him being awesome), then that pick was a steal.
The Hodgdon pick was also needed...many around here have been griping all offseason about McKinney, and even though I still say Wand's the #1 problem on that line, the better pick at that point was at center.
Below that (and possibly above that!), I'm not qualified to offer an opinion on the late-rounders. I'm glad the Texans stuck to their guns, and the only thing I see as a serious gripe was not addressing O-line earlier. But again, let's see these guys in camp before they get verbally abused (or deified) in every post!
I expect Travis Johnson to be on the field a LOT, because I'm confident that one of the current starting D-linemen won't make it through the season.
Personally, I would've gone O-line before picking Morency, but I wasn't a fan of the Jason Babin trade, so I should shut up about it, right?
Again, it's likely that DD will miss some games--and when he DOES go down, he'll have to push Hollings off the stretcher to get out of the stadium. Depth was needed.LOVE the Mathis pick. This was a blue-collar, bargain version of Troy Williamson...pure speed. Could end up being the deep threat Corey Bradford was supposed to be in 2004. If he's as good as advertised (and Kiper wouldn't shut his yap about him being awesome), then that pick was a steal.
The Hodgdon pick was also needed...many around here have been griping all offseason about McKinney, and even though I still say Wand's the #1 problem on that line, the better pick at that point was at center.
Below that (and possibly above that!), I'm not qualified to offer an opinion on the late-rounders. I'm glad the Texans stuck to their guns, and the only thing I see as a serious gripe was not addressing O-line earlier. But again, let's see these guys in camp before they get verbally abused (or deified) in every post!
bckey
All Pro
TexanExile said:It's too early to give a grade, obviously, but it's safe to say Houston didn't do as well as some teams out there, and certainly did better than some others. Other than that very broad "grade," not much else can be said until camp gets underway.
I expect Travis Johnson to be on the field a LOT, because I'm confident that one of the current starting D-linemen won't make it through the season.
Personally, I would've gone O-line before picking Morency, but I wasn't a fan of the Jason Babin trade, so I should shut up about it, right?
LOVE the Mathis pick. This was a blue-collar, bargain version of Troy Williamson...pure speed. Could end up being the deep threat Corey Bradford was supposed to be in 2004. If he's as good as advertised (and Kiper wouldn't shut his yap about him being awesome), then that pick was a steal.
The Hodgdon pick was also needed...many around here have been griping all offseason about McKinney, and even though I still say Wand's the #1 problem on that line, the better pick at that point was at center.
Below that (and possibly above that!), I'm not qualified to offer an opinion on the late-rounders. I'm glad the Texans stuck to their guns, and the only thing I see as a serious gripe was not addressing O-line earlier. But again, let's see these guys in camp before they get verbally abused (or deified) in every post!
I pretty much agree with everything you said. I really like Travis Johnson and I think he will play a lot this year and create a lot of havoc in the backfield.
I like Morency also. We need a rb that can step in and play if DD gets hurt and just share the load. Hopefully Morency is that back and if we get lucky he might even be better than DD. We'll have to wait and see.
Mathis was a steal in the 4th round. When we missed out on Williamson I'm sure the Texans never thought they would be able to get Mathis in the 4th. We will see him in preseason and probably somewhere down the line this season.
I do wish we could have gotten Baas or Spencer or Mankins but they all went pretty high so we never would have even had a chance in the 2nd if we would have kept our pick unless we traded up.
I would have to grade our draft a B+ if you count Phillip Buchanon.
Porky
Hall of Fame
I give the draft a C+ just for the picks made this weekend. But, I really feel that Buchanon must be figured into any grades, so I will go with a solid B+.
1st rd - Travis Johnson - This pick is akin to the Babin pick last year. IE - This pick will determine the overall grade of the draft significantly. I had seen some film of him last week on the NFL network, and they had him in the studio. They call him "The Dom". In any case, the film I saw was fairly impressive, but I remember thinking that we was a classic 4-3 1 gap guy who can penetrate, and rush the passer as a DT. Morever, in the first rd, I really like getting "difference makers". Can Travis be a real impact player? I really don't think so. He will certainly help our run defense, and can help rush the passer at End, but I am not convinced that he is the guy who will make a real difference all by himself. In conclusion, I think he will end up making a really nice complementary piece of the puzzle, and really help the depth in the Dline, but the first rd was too high for a player like that imo. I will move the grade up one notch because of the 3rd rd pick in a stronger draft next year. Grade C+
2nd rd - Phillip Buchanon - I consider PB our second rounder, and that we "traded up", and used a 3rd rounder to get him. Compare him to any rookie CB that was taken in the second, and you will see that this was a steal. A guy with his speed, and coverage ability, as well as an excellent punt returner, well, I don't think you find many like that in round 2 that have his polish as a rookie. Unfortunetely, this may spell the end of the Glenn era, which I find repugnant, but that is for another thread. Grade A
3rd rd - Vernand Morency - I really like this pick ALOT! Yes, he runs like DD to some extent, but he has more speed to burn, and can take it to the house at any time. As soon as he gets the blitz packages down, whether that is this year or next, he will start, and DD will be the backup. Grade A-
4th rd - Jerome Mathis - Love this pick. Two homeruns in a row! This guy was the fastest WR in the draft. He will be our KR, and a darn good one imo. Say goodbye to JJ. He will be worked in at WR. He is still a little raw, and from what I understand, needs work on his routes and hands. That will likely keep him in a backup role much of this year, but he could eventually be that #2 guy, and at worst, we have potentially a dynamic KR. not bad at all in rd 4! Grade A
5th rd - Drew Hodgdon - The first pick that I don't have any real knowledge of. So, I will have to base this off internet reports, and what the Texans have said. I have to be honest. I think he is a longshot to make the final 53, but he seems like a good candiate for the practice squad. I don't think he will ever start, but he might work his way in as a backup. What I do think though is that the Texans sent a shot across the bow of the Good Ship Mckinney. To me, this was as much of a message pick to Mckinney, as TJ was to Walker. Grade - C+
6th rd - Ceandris Brown - Vinnie and I breifly discussed this guy last week, as we knew the Texans had a private workout with the guy. Looking at his measurables, he certainly makes the grade with speed to burn, and although he is suppoed to be very raw, I think this guy has some really good upside, and may work his way into the mix. At worst, I see him on the practice squad. And for a 6th rounder, that's all you can ask. Considering the draft position....Grade B+
7th rd - Kenneth Pettway - Ok, another guy unfamiliar to me. Looks like a Charlie Anderson type, and Anderson has worked his way onto the roster. This seems to be the annual rite for CC and company to pluck a tweener late. From what I have read, he appears he is very weak in coverage. That, and the fact that we have many other journemen trying out for the backup OLB positions, makes him a longshot to even sniff the final 53. But, once in a while, they hit on one, and he could be another pracctice squad guy. But imo, even that is less that a 50/50 propositon. Considering the draft position....Grade C+
All in all, the strength of our draft was in the 2nd thru 4th rounds. The worst two (relative to draft position) imo, was the 1st and 5th round. But, pushing Mckinney a bit is never a bad thing, I just think there were better players on the board. And, I just don't feel (and I hope like heck I am wrong) that Johnson will ever be more than a decent 3-4 end. Not good enough for your first rd pick imo. Only time will tell!
1st rd - Travis Johnson - This pick is akin to the Babin pick last year. IE - This pick will determine the overall grade of the draft significantly. I had seen some film of him last week on the NFL network, and they had him in the studio. They call him "The Dom". In any case, the film I saw was fairly impressive, but I remember thinking that we was a classic 4-3 1 gap guy who can penetrate, and rush the passer as a DT. Morever, in the first rd, I really like getting "difference makers". Can Travis be a real impact player? I really don't think so. He will certainly help our run defense, and can help rush the passer at End, but I am not convinced that he is the guy who will make a real difference all by himself. In conclusion, I think he will end up making a really nice complementary piece of the puzzle, and really help the depth in the Dline, but the first rd was too high for a player like that imo. I will move the grade up one notch because of the 3rd rd pick in a stronger draft next year. Grade C+
2nd rd - Phillip Buchanon - I consider PB our second rounder, and that we "traded up", and used a 3rd rounder to get him. Compare him to any rookie CB that was taken in the second, and you will see that this was a steal. A guy with his speed, and coverage ability, as well as an excellent punt returner, well, I don't think you find many like that in round 2 that have his polish as a rookie. Unfortunetely, this may spell the end of the Glenn era, which I find repugnant, but that is for another thread. Grade A
3rd rd - Vernand Morency - I really like this pick ALOT! Yes, he runs like DD to some extent, but he has more speed to burn, and can take it to the house at any time. As soon as he gets the blitz packages down, whether that is this year or next, he will start, and DD will be the backup. Grade A-
4th rd - Jerome Mathis - Love this pick. Two homeruns in a row! This guy was the fastest WR in the draft. He will be our KR, and a darn good one imo. Say goodbye to JJ. He will be worked in at WR. He is still a little raw, and from what I understand, needs work on his routes and hands. That will likely keep him in a backup role much of this year, but he could eventually be that #2 guy, and at worst, we have potentially a dynamic KR. not bad at all in rd 4! Grade A
5th rd - Drew Hodgdon - The first pick that I don't have any real knowledge of. So, I will have to base this off internet reports, and what the Texans have said. I have to be honest. I think he is a longshot to make the final 53, but he seems like a good candiate for the practice squad. I don't think he will ever start, but he might work his way in as a backup. What I do think though is that the Texans sent a shot across the bow of the Good Ship Mckinney. To me, this was as much of a message pick to Mckinney, as TJ was to Walker. Grade - C+
6th rd - Ceandris Brown - Vinnie and I breifly discussed this guy last week, as we knew the Texans had a private workout with the guy. Looking at his measurables, he certainly makes the grade with speed to burn, and although he is suppoed to be very raw, I think this guy has some really good upside, and may work his way into the mix. At worst, I see him on the practice squad. And for a 6th rounder, that's all you can ask. Considering the draft position....Grade B+
7th rd - Kenneth Pettway - Ok, another guy unfamiliar to me. Looks like a Charlie Anderson type, and Anderson has worked his way onto the roster. This seems to be the annual rite for CC and company to pluck a tweener late. From what I have read, he appears he is very weak in coverage. That, and the fact that we have many other journemen trying out for the backup OLB positions, makes him a longshot to even sniff the final 53. But, once in a while, they hit on one, and he could be another pracctice squad guy. But imo, even that is less that a 50/50 propositon. Considering the draft position....Grade C+
All in all, the strength of our draft was in the 2nd thru 4th rounds. The worst two (relative to draft position) imo, was the 1st and 5th round. But, pushing Mckinney a bit is never a bad thing, I just think there were better players on the board. And, I just don't feel (and I hope like heck I am wrong) that Johnson will ever be more than a decent 3-4 end. Not good enough for your first rd pick imo. Only time will tell!
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
Well, I don't know about a grade. However, I do know that we have youth and talent with some depth everywhere except at TE.
We're deeper and more talented than last year at DL, LB, CB, S... We're also deeper and younger at OL (not as much as some would like); We've added depth and talent at RB, and WR. I'd say things are going well.
Projecting into this season's starting lineup, we look to have only 5-6 players that are 30 years or older making a significant contribution to our team. Yet, despite the youth, we won't be starting any rookies or young players being forced into action before they're ready.
I'm Excited!!!
We're deeper and more talented than last year at DL, LB, CB, S... We're also deeper and younger at OL (not as much as some would like); We've added depth and talent at RB, and WR. I'd say things are going well.
Projecting into this season's starting lineup, we look to have only 5-6 players that are 30 years or older making a significant contribution to our team. Yet, despite the youth, we won't be starting any rookies or young players being forced into action before they're ready.
I'm Excited!!!
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
I'm actually quite excited about Drew Hodgdon. I'd never heard of him before today but after reading his bio, etc... I'm confident he'll make our roster and contribute throughout his rookie contract. The guy has started over 40 games at a major division I school. He's experienced and technically sound with decent athleticism. He doesn't have great power but that's about the only negative I see. It looks like he's an ideal fit for zone blocking. And with a smart, experienced player like that with solid physical ability, he will at the least be a reliable backup.
kbourda
Veteran
I'll go with an Incomplete grade for the draft. First off, I don't understand for the life of me why we spend picks on RB's. A 3rd this year on Morency, last year a 2nd rounder for Hollings, 4th on Wells, and a pick (not sure what round) on Davis. If we aren't satisfied with our RB position wouldn't it make sense not to re-sign Wells in the off season. And do what needs to be done for the franchise and get that quality RB at the top of the list. I know, easier said than done, but you can't keep hoping to find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow every year. Secondly, Travis Johnson good pick. But again, why sign Payne to a contract and keep Walker for not producing? If you ask me he should have been given his walking papers before Sharper. Maybe i'm just a blind fan and can't see the big picture but I have to question these moves. But like last year, the year before that, and the year before that, it's a wait and see.
Dunta_23
Rookie
I think I would give the draft grade a C.....
Rd 1- D-Line was a need and got the best available( I would have prefered Spears)
Rd 3- Depth RB? I didnt see it as a glaring need unless they got a bigger power style runner or a guy that isnt 25. Im sure he will be a good player just nothing special
Rd 4- WR Jerome Mathis, Great pickup but I dont know if CC deserves credit for a great player falling to him.
Rd 5- C, O Line help was needed and this guy may be good( Good 5th rd Selection)
Rd 6- Safety, probably for special teams, with CJ Mosely on the board I would have help build a DL for the future
Rd 7- Tweener LB, meh, he probably wont make the team
I think they should be players in undrafted free agency, maybe Kay Jay Harris as a backup or Shazor or Browner....Or some bulk on the OL
...my 2 cents
Rd 1- D-Line was a need and got the best available( I would have prefered Spears)
Rd 3- Depth RB? I didnt see it as a glaring need unless they got a bigger power style runner or a guy that isnt 25. Im sure he will be a good player just nothing special
Rd 4- WR Jerome Mathis, Great pickup but I dont know if CC deserves credit for a great player falling to him.
Rd 5- C, O Line help was needed and this guy may be good( Good 5th rd Selection)
Rd 6- Safety, probably for special teams, with CJ Mosely on the board I would have help build a DL for the future
Rd 7- Tweener LB, meh, he probably wont make the team
I think they should be players in undrafted free agency, maybe Kay Jay Harris as a backup or Shazor or Browner....Or some bulk on the OL
...my 2 cents
RiotCommander
Rookie
Draft grade as a whole: B
I actually give them bonus points for going against the wishes of many, even me, and passing on DJ. He was obviously a 4-3 LB, and may not have fit well into our system. The picks after this I think could have gone better. I feel like DD is our RB, and picking up one in the 3rd when we have bigger holes (LT) is a mistake. Completely ignoring the LT spot all draft, I hope I'm wrong about this, just seems like poor decision making.
My favorite addions were:
Travis Johnson (Should really help stuff the run, and free up some linebackers for sacks)
Jerome Mathis (Possiable #2?? A burner with questionable focus at times)
Drew Hodgdon (Just hope he can help the O-Line, I know very little about this guy, but any addition is better then the exact cast we had last year)
I actually give them bonus points for going against the wishes of many, even me, and passing on DJ. He was obviously a 4-3 LB, and may not have fit well into our system. The picks after this I think could have gone better. I feel like DD is our RB, and picking up one in the 3rd when we have bigger holes (LT) is a mistake. Completely ignoring the LT spot all draft, I hope I'm wrong about this, just seems like poor decision making.
My favorite addions were:
Travis Johnson (Should really help stuff the run, and free up some linebackers for sacks)
Jerome Mathis (Possiable #2?? A burner with questionable focus at times)
Drew Hodgdon (Just hope he can help the O-Line, I know very little about this guy, but any addition is better then the exact cast we had last year)
CaptainPatriot
Waterboy
ojthecat said:
You can have all the CB`s in the world! Without a pass rush they will be running
around all day long pass after pass after pass!
CaptainPatriot
Waterboy
DomDavis said:
Also could have picked up FA DT Pat Williams from Bills
threetoedpete
Hall of Fame
jacquescas said:
A maybe starting DE. JMHO. Little light in the beam campaired to Udeeze last year according to some on this board. If you go to NFL.com and read the center's write up, well
all I'll say is it's a long drop from Spencer/Bass to Hodgdon. That nagging second round pick again. Bad luck.
Look I do watch Texas games. I'm lucky enough to have a friend who has tickets and I get to go when no one else want's to go. I liked DJ not because he played for Texas. But, because I believe he is going to be heck of a player in this league for a lot of years. If they were tring to move down for Miller/ Bass or some other scenario I can understand that. There tellin' me they believe under any cirumstance, Greenwood is superior to DJ. I have to yeild to them because this is their rice bowl. Just looks to me they got caught in a bad move and spit the bit. I understand that they were never going to take him. But don't write that I don't know anything because I liked the guy. We're all tring to put some positive spin on this porker. Still looks like a pig to me. Another guy who didn't fit their system. But I believe they are wrong in the long haul. Time will tell the tale. I also believe, there is a whole lot of ifs, spit and wire holding this thing together this year. And we didn't get a lot of help this weekend. Anyone saying we did is just walking the yellow brick road with Dorthy and toto. And I KNOW in year four, it's not going to be too much longer befor we have our first 12-4 ,"we're going to the playoffs post". I just wanna know how many more near misses does this staff get ? Hollings, Jopporu, Milford Brown, ect. I may not be Kiper, but I'm available for that second round pick next year. They gotta lot of eggs in the Babbin /Peek/PB basket. Might work out. If it don't work out, we'll be at the top of the draft next year picking the franchise left tackle, or another corner. Gonna be fun. And what ever happens, CC and Dom have shopped for these gorceries.12-4 or 4-12, this is their stew.
rittenhouserobz
Veteran
TexanExile said:
I keep reading that next years draft is going to have better prospects for LT. It is my hope that the Texans get the LT they need next year.
I give the Texans an A for the draft. They have added 4 potential starters with a lower cap hit than the players that will eventually be replaced.
bt1retired
Practice Squad
I believe you have hit the nail on the head the linebacker pick was a bust and could have been used for an OL. When are we going to give David Carr the protection he needs. And allow him to do what he was drafted for in the beginning
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
bt1retired said:
Yeah, because Jacob Rogers would have made soooo much of a difference last year. Saying we should have taken OL is meaningless without looking at who was available and what contribution they would have made.
Texas_Thrill
Veteran
Can we really grade a draft until after the season is over? I mean right now if anything we should be grading LAST year's draft class. we KNOW what they did on the field which is where it counts. I don't think you should grade a draft class until after the season is over b/c that's when you actually know what the heck kinda players you got if any.
Some of my questions however are....
If we didn't think DJ would fit in the 3-4 why do we think TJ will?
Why did we draft a 25 year old RB?
Is it me or did just about every player in this draft seem to have CHARACTER issues?
Some of my questions however are....
If we didn't think DJ would fit in the 3-4 why do we think TJ will?
Why did we draft a 25 year old RB?
Is it me or did just about every player in this draft seem to have CHARACTER issues?
CaptainPatriot
Waterboy
Texans need more than just Johnson he is a start.wags said:That's why we drafted Johnson.
CaptainPatriot
Waterboy
you never knowpowda said:
outofhnd
Rookie
Personally I liked it I wanted to draft D-Line this year. It is a need. Now if he is just terrible then it will be bad but i like our picks. Mathis was a great Pick, as he may at the very lest spell the end for JJ. We are getting younger and more solidified and im glad we released some more old players like foreman sharper and glenn. I liked Glenn, but his best years are behind him. Sharper was great but wasnt good in coverage. Foreman seemed lost in pass coverage, and his tackling seems to have declined.
so all in all it was good my only complaint was maybe ILB instead of RB in round 2. otherwise all is good
I wanted to draft D-Line this year. It is a need. Now if he is just terrible then it will be bad but i like our picks. Mathis was a great Pick, as he may at the very lest spell the end for JJ. We are getting younger and more solidified and im glad we released some more old players like foreman sharper and glenn. I liked Glenn, but his best years are behind him. Sharper was great but wasnt good in coverage. Foreman seemed lost in pass coverage, and his tackling seems to have declined.so all in all it was good my only complaint was maybe ILB instead of RB in round 2. otherwise all is good
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Bottle-O-Bud said:
So who was the pick in the 5th that would have rated a grade over C? Folks in the 5th are either less athletic, raw or have injury issues.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
Yeah, that was the real getting Boselli'd part of that transaction. After Roaf was pulled from the expansion draft, he was traded to the Chiefs for a 6th rounder. Aaaack. That is the one thing I really wonder about--what if the Texans had Roaf at LT and Pitts at LG since the beginning? OK, can't think about that any more.
cuppacoffee
Resident Grouch
This is in this mornings chronic. carlton thompson article.
"For now, whether the Texans are headed in the right direction is a topic for lively debate. Check back at the end of the 2005 season when the record will have cast the deciding vote."
"For now, whether the Texans are headed in the right direction is a topic for lively debate. Check back at the end of the 2005 season when the record will have cast the deciding vote."
beerlover
Hall of Fame
this is a pretty rosey forecast with little substance to back it up but positive news is good news from our friends at GBN- http://www.gbnreport.com/2005draftgrades.htm
Houston The Texans made two key moves to upgrade their defensive unit. First, Houston shipped a couple of first day picks to Oakland in order to acquire veteran CB Philip Buchanon in the days leading up to the draft. If he keeps his head in the game Buchanon was very inconsistent the past couple of years with the Raiders he should combine with last years #1 pick, CB Dunta Robinson, the GBN Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004, to give the Texans one of the better pair of cover corners in the league. Houston then recouped one of the picks sent to Oakland when they moved down three spots in the opening round, but still got DT Travis Johnson, the top interior defensive lineman in the 2005 draft. Johnson was a pure 4-3 DT at Florida State, but has the quickness and explosion off the ball to be a dominating 3-4 DE, if he keeps his head in the game. Johnson was known to take plays off, but if he goes all out like he did in 2004 for the Seminoles, Johnson will be a nice upgrade for the increasingly creaky Houston defensive front. The Texans, though, may not have gotten a lot more out of their 2005 draft. RB Vernand Morency, taken in the 3rd round, will get a shot to displace Dominick Davis as the Texans feature back, but Morency is in many ways a very similar back to Davis in that hes a tough north-south runner with a burst, but lacks real moves. Morency also has had some knee problems in the past. Meanwhile, WR Jerome Mathis, one of the fastest players in the draft, was a nice 4th round pick, though, he remains something of a developmental prospect... Preliminary grade: B+
Houston The Texans made two key moves to upgrade their defensive unit. First, Houston shipped a couple of first day picks to Oakland in order to acquire veteran CB Philip Buchanon in the days leading up to the draft. If he keeps his head in the game Buchanon was very inconsistent the past couple of years with the Raiders he should combine with last years #1 pick, CB Dunta Robinson, the GBN Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004, to give the Texans one of the better pair of cover corners in the league. Houston then recouped one of the picks sent to Oakland when they moved down three spots in the opening round, but still got DT Travis Johnson, the top interior defensive lineman in the 2005 draft. Johnson was a pure 4-3 DT at Florida State, but has the quickness and explosion off the ball to be a dominating 3-4 DE, if he keeps his head in the game. Johnson was known to take plays off, but if he goes all out like he did in 2004 for the Seminoles, Johnson will be a nice upgrade for the increasingly creaky Houston defensive front. The Texans, though, may not have gotten a lot more out of their 2005 draft. RB Vernand Morency, taken in the 3rd round, will get a shot to displace Dominick Davis as the Texans feature back, but Morency is in many ways a very similar back to Davis in that hes a tough north-south runner with a burst, but lacks real moves. Morency also has had some knee problems in the past. Meanwhile, WR Jerome Mathis, one of the fastest players in the draft, was a nice 4th round pick, though, he remains something of a developmental prospect... Preliminary grade: B+
Texas_Thrill
Veteran
I'm sorry but the Morency pick killed it for me. I mean a back-up RB or the same ol bag at RB (mind you he is 25) in the 3rd round with O-line help still needed. Brown from UVA would have been a lot better pick!
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Texas_Thrill said:
Read Brown's prospect profile --now does that really sound like a zone blocker? Guaranteed way to lower the talent on your team and make sure your schemes don't work is reach for needs and draft people not suitable for your schemes.