Grade The Texans Draft

[HPF Bob]

At this point, the majority of the poll is saying "B or B-".

...and I'd have to concur. My grade is a solid "B".

With no second round pick, Brown will eventually determine if this is an "A" or a "C". Molden is a small-school guy that has that boom/bust potential like Jacoby Jones was last year. Slaton is a good choice if he isn't overworked and he learns not to fumble. He needs to be part of a RB-by-committee, not the feature back. Adibi is another guy who will be great if he fits a role. Okam has the greatest boom/bust potential of anyone we selected but, as a fifth-round choice, he is low risk for the Texans and therefore an excellent choice. The last two choices are likely training camp fodder.

The trade-down was essential in making this draft a solid one. As I asked someone on another board, would you rather have Mendenhall or would you rather have Brown, Slaton and Barber? Not to mention we probably saved cap money by trading down.

Two good drafts the past two years and the addition of revered coaches Alex Gibbs and Ray Rhodes give Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith a "benefit of the doubt" for now. Once we see these guys on the field and see how they fit into the squad, we'll be better able to assess how well we drafted.