Grade The Texans Draft

[dadmg]

I went with a B+, although that was without factoring in the Myers and (partial credit for) Schaub deals. Those would probably bump it up at least one tier.

I like the Duane Brown pick because I've always felt he could be a good fit for our team and I don't think 26 is really much of a reach for him. I don't think he could have been had much lower. Like the Texans, I felt he was the last of the top tier left tackles for their system and that there was a dramatic dropoff after Brown. For the Texans, I think he would have been the third best LT in the draft after Clady and Williams (I think Albert will be a spectacular player, just not at LT.)

The Molden pick leaves me feeling much like the Fred Bennett pick last year. I wasn't crazy about Bennett but at the same time thought that he was about the best available CB and that we got him a round later than I expected him to go. I'm a bit skeptical but hopefully he can prove me wrong like Bennett has so far. I'm counting on you, Hoke.

I love the Slaton and Adibi picks. Both are productive players with good instincts and athleticism. Both were big-time playmakers in college. I think Slaton is going to be an absolute steal with a one cut and go scheme. I don't think he'll be a starter Day One, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he was by mid-season, or at least a valued contributor. My only problem with the Adibi pick is that I think he'd be better suited to the weakside and our bigger hole is on the strong side. I wouldn't be completely shocked to see him starting in '09 on the weakside with a then-31 year old Greenwood on the strong side.

Getting a player with the talent of Okam in the fifth round is nothing I can complain about. In an earlier round I wouldn't be interested in someone who has so failed to live up to that talent, but for a fifth he should be able to be a good value as a contributor in our DT rotation with the potential to become more.

Barber doesn't impress me as a future talent at S, but from what I've read he could be a special teams standout. We can always use more of those.

The profile I read on Brink makes me think he's a good practice squad investment (lack of a cannon arm is his biggest deficiency and the one I think is the most overrated) and could move into a #3 spot if we ever deal Sage.