I felt getting a WR in the first was probably something they could have traded down for and still got value but the Texans were obviously in love with Hopkins and, with no Walter and no Posey, this was probably a need pick to start the season. Most WRs do not come into the NFL and star immediately ( AJ included), so this is as much a pick for the future as it is for now.
In DT Sylvester Williams (taken by the Broncos with the next pick) and ILB Kevin Minter, you see some of the talent they passed on to get Hopkins and with the haul the Patriots got from the Vikings at #29, (a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th), you see what the Texans might have been able to do with a trade down.
Overall, this is the general Texans MO under Rick Smith is not gamble. Sit and wait your turn without gambling. I think the only time the Texans have seriously traded down was when they just didn't like the choices they saw in the second round. Hopefully, some help at DL, ILB, RT and FB/TE will still be around later for us to scoop up. With three picks on Friday, we should get more chances to cheer or disagree.
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