Grading Texans draft

[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.