Seems to be popping up a lot in threads, so I figured it might warrant a spin off. Below are my subjective takes on his draft picks. Subjective. Mine. Toss in your own. 2007 1/10: Amobi Okoye: D 3/73: Jacoby Jones: C 4/123: Fred Bennett: C- 5/144: Brandon Harrison: D 5/163: Brandon Frye: D 6/183: Kasey Studdard: B- 7/218: Zac Diles: B Overall: D+ 2008 1/26: Duane Brown: A 3/79: Antwaun Molden: D+ 3/89: Steve Slaton: B+ 4/118: Xavier Adibi: B- 5/151: Frank Okam: C 6/173: Dominique Barber: B- 7/223: Alex Brink: C- Overall: C+ 2009 1/15: Brian Cushing: A- 2/46: Conner Barwin: B 3/77: Antoine Caldwell: B- 4/112: Glover Quin: A+ 4/122: Anthony Hill: D+ 5/152: James Casey: A- 6/188: Brice McCain: A- 7/223: Troy Nolan: B+ Overall: B+ 2010 1/20: Kareem Jackson: B+ 2/58: Ben Tate: B 3/81: Earl Mitchell: B 4/102: Darryl Sharpton: B+ 4/118: Garrett Graham: B 5/144: Sherrick McMannis: D+ 6/187: Shelley Smith: D 6/197: Trindon Holliday: C+ 7/227: Dorin Dickerson: C Overall: B- 2011 1/11: JJ Watt: A+++ 2/42: Brooks Reed: A- 2/60: Brandon Harris: C+ 4/127: Rashard Carmichael: D+ 5/144: Shiloh Keo: C+ 5/152: TJ Yates: B+ 7/214: Derek Newton: A- 7/254: Cheta Ozougwa: C ***** Overall: A 2012 (It can be argued that it's still too early to grade this class) 1/26: Whitney Mercilus: B 3/68: DeVier Posey: C 3/76: Brandon Brooks: B+ 4/99: Ben Jones: A- 4/121: Keshawn Martin: B- 4/126: Jared Crick: C 5/161: Randy Bullock: INC 6/195: Nick Mondek: D+ Overall: B- * I'm not going to be overly harsh on a pick that didn't pan out because of unforeseeable injury (Spencer). However, some picks carried risk from the onset (Cushing's entire USC LB corps were strongly suspected to be roid monsters before the draft). Brown, as far as I can recall, was not red flagged in that regard. ** I'm grading relative to pick position. High first round vs low first round vs later rounds carry different expectations. If a 7th rounder contributes on the field at all, you pretty much start off with at least a B- and if he "busts" you can't really give it worse than a C-. *** I expect the Cushing A- minus to draw heat, which is fine. He'd probably be an A+ in my book, but his sophomore campaign was poor with his (assumed risk on draft day) PED suspension and uneven performance upon his return (sparking endless comments about him being washed up without juice). The peel back ACL rupture can't be put on him, but this is overall an unforgiving business to guys that don't stay on the field. **** I'm only grading guys for the results enjoyed by the Texans. It's a thorny call either way, so I'm just choosing a direction and sticking to it. Success elsewhere won't count. ***** Mr Irrelevant isn't getting less than a C even if they pick Justin Bieber as a joke. In fact, if they did that I'd probably give them an A for hilarity.
Oops - I always lumped him in with Kubiak. I still don't consider that to really be Casserly's draft since he was a lame duck, but Smith indeed wasn't hired until June. So knocking out 2006. Thanks for the correction.
Honestly, it's pretty good. People expect multiple starters from each draft and it really doesn't happen. Just look at the other teams and compare. Even the "good" drafting teams like the Patriots and Steelers have had crappy drafts.
He's improved significantly over time. Early on I wasn't confident in him at all but now I'm really glad we have Rick for the draft.
I often wonder the division of labor on these. 1. Does he make the pick or does the coaches 2. How a pick pans out is largely on the coaches as well I have often felt Rick was about Cap Management and maybe some input but the final decisions were with Kubes and McNair which is why I felt he would be either fired before kubes or with kubes Rocket River
Getting a JJ watt makes the entire draft an A+ irrespective of anyone else, but I thought that was a wade pick.
My impression has always been that Kubiak and the coaching staff make the call with heavy input from scouting. Rick is involved but I think his job priority is to deal with salaries.
How is Studdard a B- at 6 and Diles a B at 7? If Kasey is a B- Diles is an A+++++ and the 2007 draft is an F- at best. I don't understand why you give leniency for injury but not PED Cushing. Base it on production and production alone. I don't think your scale is at all consistent.
Your ratings are way too generous. Basically if they played meaningful snaps you gave them a B or better.
Draft wise, I love the Texans track record. I would not mind average haul that we've had since the Kubiak/Smith regime. Excellent track record. Personnel wise, the only thing I have a problem with is 1. Plugging holes with cheap talent but not lose too much production. Basically the Texans are way too affected by injuries. You're not suppose to be be screwed when you miss an ILB(even Cushing's caliber) or your nickel corner. And if you run a ZBS where you develop all your linemen, you're suppose to know if they're developed or not. Not having to scramble once the season starts. 2. Settling for above-average QB. To be fair, this is a difficult problem for any team. Schaub isn't a world beater, but he's not bad enough that you have to replace him. He's like a Josh Smith, you are going to be worse without him, but can you really win with him? Everything else? I'm good with.
That's a good way of boiling it down. Frankly, if they'd solve #1, then #2 isn't as much of an issue--I mean, I'd be ok with it. I guess that means I only think #1 is a problem since that's the one that needs to be solved for sure
Do you guys see a theme here? They draft pretty much the safe player and don't seem to either move up and get a stud or look to acquire the big superstar talents in the draft. The getting Reed instead of keeping Quin move is the type of culture I want the Texans to start moving towards. If we had that mindset last season we woulda gotten Peyton Manning in the offseason. If we have a stud in sights in this draft we need to go get it done. We may just be 1 Superstar away now either side of the ball.
