Grading Texans draft

[Nconroe]

Saw this A From Rob Rang of CBS sports

Given the big investments in Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller, as well as the extraordinary body control of No. 1 receiver DeAndre Hopkins, first round pick Will Fuller should prove the perfect vertical threat complement. Houston only reinforced their splashy offseason with the selection of steady interior offensive lineman Nick Martin in the second round, silky smooth athlete Braxton Miller in the third and my favorite third down receiving specialist running back Tyler Ervin in the fourth.

When was the last time an offense in the NFL was so dramatically different in just one offseason? Watch out for heavy-hitting safety K.J. Dillon and developmental nose guard D.J. Reader to surprise, as well. I'm not as high as some on Fuller but there are some terrific schematic fits here for the Texans, earning them one of the top grades this year.
Grade: A

[Nconroe]

Then SBNation gave Texans a B+

Houston Texans

1 (21). Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

2 (50). Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame

3 (85). Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State

4 (119). Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State

5 (159). K.J. Dillon, S, West Virginia

5 (166). D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson

Best pick: Miller - Miller is a player who has sky-high potential if he can continue the development at wide receiver that he flashed at Ohio State.

Questionable pick: Fuller - The Texans obviously loved Fuller's speed, but his drop issues are real.

Houston gave out a bunch of money in the offseason with quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller. They added some athletic pieces around them with wide receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller. Fuller can open up the whole field thanks to his speed and route running. Miller was, personally, one of my favorite players in the draft. He can be a special player if he continues to develop as a receiver. At running back they got a third round back that compliments Miller. He's a big play athlete who can break big plays. Safety K.J. Dillon is a player who you could play in the slot or drop back in zone. He was a smart pick in the fifth round. Houston needed a nose tackle and got a good one in D.J. Reader in the fifth round.

Overall grade: B+

[Nconroe]

On ESPN Texans got Thumbs Up

Houston Texans

Thumbs up. After signing quarterback Brock Osweiler, the Texans’ biggest remaining need was offensive speed. They started with Will Fuller, the fastest receiver at the combine. Third-round pick Braxton Miller didn’t blow anyone away with his combine 40-yard dash, but his functional speed on the field can’t be denied. Fourth-round pick Tyler Ervin is fast, too, with a 4.41 40-yard dash and quick times in other agility drills. A lack of speed hurt the Texans offense last season, and that shouldn’t happen again with additions from this draft class and free agency. -- Tania Ganguli | Grading the Texans

[HPF Bob]

As I was watching the Texans get demolished by the Chiefs, I was thinking their problem was not enough speed on offense. Others said it was because Hoyer sucked or the receivers couldn't catch a pass to save their lives or our offensive line was getting owned like a child sex slave but, no, clearly our skill players just lacked speed and that would answer all our problems.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As I was watching the Texans get demolished by the Chiefs, I was thinking their problem was not enough speed on offense. Others said it was because Hoyer sucked or the receivers couldn't catch a pass to save their lives or our offensive line was getting owned like a child sex slave but, no, clearly our skill players just lacked speed and that would answer all our problems.

I would choose "All of the Above".

[chuck]

Originally Posted by popanot

I would choose "All of the Above".

I don't think too many people would accuse me of being a Texans apologist but the team went out and addressed all of these issues and then some.

[Nconroe]

Yes, hopefully addressed some special teams issues as well.

[nunusguy]

Undrafted rookie Arturo Uzdavinis out of Tulane is the only OT they signed. I don't get O'Briens attitude about prioritizing Oline personnel, especially OTs ?
He's not drafted a single OT in his 3 years here but taken 2 interior Olineman both in the second round, including center Martin this year.
Texans got issues, big issues it seems at OT. Gonna be real iffy for Duane Brown to be ready to go in September this year, which means maybe Clark at
LT. And I'm not that comfortable either with Newt at RT.
I don't get why O'Brien does not put a higher priority on OT in the Draft or free agency ?

[Nconroe]

There will be changes in OL this year as two guys left as FA to other teams. Just for reference, for OL, we have quite a few guys on the roster at start of camps, and of course you can still trade or pick up FAS as available. Some guys are flexible and have played multiple positions. Some of these guys were here last year but on injured reserve or practice squad. And there is some rotation in and out depending on situation.

Just listing names and years experience.

Centers
Dalton Freeman 2
Tony Bergstrom 5
Greg Mancz 1

Guards
Chad Slade 1
Karim Benshon 1
Xia SuaAFilo 1
Jeff Allen 5
Nick Martin R draft

Tackle
David Quessenberry 3
Andrew McDonald 2
Kendall Lamm 1
O'Day Abouhi 3
Derek Newton 5
Duane Brown 8
Jeff Adams 2
Chris Clark 7
Arturo Uadaniv UDFA
Luke Hayes UDFA

[Nconroe]

Ok, so we seem to have gotten better this off-season with Oz at QB and speed at RB and WR.

Another concern we hope experience or perhaps UDFA helps is TE.

Looks like 5 currently on roster. Name and years experience. Seems all these guys are tall, we hope they can catch and be a part of the offense.

Ryan Griffin 3
Anthony Denham 1
Eric Tomlinson R
CJ Fiedorowiz 2
Stephen Anderson UDFA

[Nconroe]

Just looking at overall team statistics at NFL.COM, noticed on offense, Texans had fourth best running offense last year. And on defense, Texans were seventh overall in yds allowed and second in pass defense.

So consistency of roster and staff may be a good thing.

Then we only had six draft picks to prioritize. We took two for defense.

Most are mentioning we didn't really replace Krick at DE. But we did add a NT for the DL.

On defense these days the team playing and situation changes if have some combination of NT against run and DE against pass with pass rush in the game. And a flexible 290-300 point DL might play DE or DT depending.

Texans roster of DL at this time. Show years experience

DE

Jeoffrey Pagan 3
Dan Pettinning 1
JJ Watt 5

DT

Vince Wilfork 12
DJ Reader R Draft Pick
Brandon Dunn 2
Christian Covington 1
Devon Still 4
Mark Tomm UDFA
Ufamba Kemalufa UDFA
Joel Heath UDFA

[Nconroe]

Found this summary of draft grades, mostly Bs, on chronic
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...jFVsGEun_kNjCQ

[barrett]

I wonder if Clowney as a 34 DE happens this year. He was so clearly worse than Mercilous last year it will be hard to keep playing him at OLB going forward. Plus he's surely lost some explosiveness to the surgery and guys typically get bigger the longer they're in the league. The way we ignored DE and the way Mercilous's play has demanded he be an every down guy make me think maybe Clowney plays at DE a lot.

[HPF Bob]

You could be right Barrett, although if they do that they'd almost have to keep Clowney on the weak side of the formation, away from the tight end because he's not big enough at the point of attack to stop the run. If you do that, you reduce Watt's opportunities to find and exploit mismatches along the o-line. I think I'd rather have Covington on running downs and possibly have Clowney and Watt anchor the line in obvious passing downs.

[chuck]

Who else goes outside as olb in that case?

[Nconroe]

Currently 13 LBs listed on the roster. Clowney weight at 266 is heaviest of those. Last year John Simon came in mostly while Clowney injured.

[barrett]

We're in a 4 man front nickel package as much as we are the 34. Who knows how and where they actually get guys on the field.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

We're in a 4 man front nickel package as much as we are the 34. Who knows how and where they actually get guys on the field.

And when in a 4 man front, the Texans are virtually in a 4-3 which puts Clowney at his natural position which is a weakside 4-3 DE. And I think we are actually in a 4 man front most of the time. And no Clowney will not play a 5-tech in a 3-4, that's just not his fit as he's about 25-30 lbs light in the seat to play that position.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

And when in a 4 man front, the Texans are virtually in a 4-3 which puts Clowney at his natural position which is a weakside 4-3 DE. And I think we are actually in a 4 man front most of the time. And no Clowney will not play a 5-tech in a 3-4, that's just not his fit as he's about 25-30 lbs light in the seat to play that position.

22 year old Clowney was 19 lbs lighter than Crick last year. He has plenty of frame to add size and like I said, guys naturally get heavier as they age. Plus he just isn't an OLB. He may be slightly outside the 34 DE prototype, but he's further outside the OLB prototype. He has no pass rush moves, no ability to run on his inside edge, no ability to play in space, and cannot cover a lick. He is completely miscast at OLB, he has already lost quickness to injury, and the microfracture has a degenerative element to it.

Clowney may never take a snap at 34 DE in his life, but every snap he takes at 34 OLB is a waste. Put his hand on the ground and tell him to go powerfully and explosively forward, preferably through the OT and not around him. Don't ask him to stand up and edge rush and occasionally drop into coverage. So maybe just make him a part time nickel pass rusher, but either way he has no future at OLB.

[painekiller]

To go back to the original topic, draft grades, I like this draft.

We needed team speed, and we added that.

Round 1, pick 21: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

My #1 WR Corey Coleman was off the board at 15. And the Texans appear to have made a smart move jumping up one spot and grabbing the fastest WR from the combine. A run of 3 WR then came off the board stripping the 1st round of all the WR rated with 1st round grades. They did not sit back and let it come to them, they went up and got it. In hindsight a good move.

Round 2 Martin, Nick OG Notre Dame

Again my favorite center was off the board in the 1st round at #18, Ryan Kelly (sadly to the Colts), and we needed a center. There are only 2 guys ready to play center now and the Texans grabbed the 2nd one in Martin. Martin plays with a mean streak, is a technically sound player. Should be a long term answer at OC. He also can play either guard spot, giving the team options. A nice pick up.

Round 3 Braxton Miller WR Ohio St.

I have been targeting Miller to the Texans in many of my mocks for months. John Harris had been talking about Shepard from Oklahoma for months, and I always thought, why not go with the better player in Miller. Miller is raw as a WR, but is a video game in real life. He will be the new slot guy, and believe me he has tools. Should become a much needed target in the middle of the field, and he was credited with only one drop last season, nothing like the man he will be replacing Nate Washington.

Round 4 Tyler Ervin RB San Jose St.

Have to admit, this pick confused me for some time. In many of my mocks I had targeted Cyrus Jones for his return ability, and this guy is a lower round version of that. Another video game type player, starts and stops on a dime. Can be a 3rd down guy that can be split out and is a match up problem for defenses. Should be fun to watch O'Brien unleash all his new toys on offense this coming year. First true punt returner O'Brien has had.

Round 5 K.J. Dillon S West Virginia

Another guy I have been taking in many of my mocks, a prototype SS with upside. Should be an special team stand out, and grow into a NFL SS. Has the potential to be a future starter.

Round 5 D.J. Reader NT 6'3" 327 Clemson

We need a true NT, and I don't like spending 1st or 2nd round picks on them, they just don't play enough in the new NFL pass happy league. But when you need one you need one, and we have needed one for years. Reader was not on my radar, but he should have been, late round NT from one of the top teams in college football. the kid can do a split, at 327 pounds, crazy and something I do not want to see. Hopefully a guy that fits in with Big Daddy Wilfork. This pick also allows them to move Christian Covington out to DE where he quickness can be better used.

I love this draft from top to bottom. And then you add in the UDFA, a few of which I also love.

Ka'imi Fairbairn, K, UCLA. Kid made a 60 yard kick in college, so he has a leg. I consider this to be a steal, I have seen mocks where he went in the 5th round.

Wendall Williams, WR, University of the Cumberlands, ran a 4.19 fourty. Raw and a project but come on, 4.19. just get him the ball in space. Most likely a PS guy, but they did not spend a pick on him. Drool over the video, and I know its against lower level talent, but I can dream.

Stephen Anderson, WR/TE, Cal The kid has great hands, a tweener who has a really nice highlight reel playing with Goff. Not drafted because he is not a WR, and he his not a true TE. But the kid can catch.

Should be a fun year. And when was the last time we could say fun and Texans in the same breath.