Talking about things that have happened in other draft classes isn't really relevant to this one, also they need a day one starter, not a project. Given how shallow this tackle class is, you really should take OT in the first unless there's just something you can't pass up. IMO there's no QB in this class that would qualify as someone that you can't pass up. That said, another option would be picking TJ Watt and moving Clowney to DE full time....but I'm not really advocating for that.
Not comparing draft classes, I am comparing where all of the contenders get their RT's and in what rds. (None in rd 1) If Ricky cant find a RT outside of rd1 he should be fired.
So if he can't find a RT that can immediately start and play at a high level outside of the first round in a really really thin draft for OT, then he should be fired? Sounds fair. Why not just say that if he can't find a QB that can immediately start and play at a high level outside of the first round in this draft then he should be fired? If we're gonna be unfair, why not be unfair in that manner?
The fact that a team with a good offensive line got their RT outside the first round essentially has nothing to do with each other. The Cowboys have 3 first rounders in the OL(coincidentally, their 3 pro bowlers). Perhaps they have such a good offensive line because of the number of high draft choices they used to build it. And let's not forget this quote from Pro Football Focus in their offensive line rankings for 2016: "RT Doug Free has been a problem player for the team, surrendering eight sacks on the season and struggling with his run blocking."
He is also one of the few that played in a pro-style offense and has 3 full years under his belt. I'm not saying he is my favorite or even top 5. I think he will be serviceable as a backup if every other hole is shored up.
If it's true that they have mutual interest with him then it means the TE talk is nothing but a smokescreen.
The Texans have spent a 1st (Brown) a 2nd (XSF) 2nd (Martin) Good $$$$ in FA (Allen) 7th and good $$$$ (Newton) so Ricky has spent resources they all get hurt. Tell me more about Cannon/Schroeder/Gilbert/Gilliam? All starting RT's in the AFC/NFC championship games? How many of those RT's were 1st rd picks and how could those teams done so well considering the lack of investment in the RT position? Let me tell you how, the GM's are better at drafting than Ricky is. Whoops Bulaga with the Packers is the outlier but their starting LT Bahktiari was a 5th rd pick. But the point still stands, Ricky should be able to find a starting RT outside of the 1st rd.
Apples/oranges BS post. These other teams seem to be able to do it. It's not like Newton/Cark set the at very high for improvement. Bring in a vet then and draft your RT of the future then. But 1st and foremost If there's a QB you like (I like Mahomes) you pick him all day everyday over an OT.
Actually the BS apples/oranges post was this one What you don't seem to understand is that the Texans need a starting RT THIS year, not 4 or 5 years from now. You breing up Marcus Cannon, who was a starting RT for the Patriots drafted in the 5th round......in 2011. He didn't become a full time starter till this year You bring up "Schroeder", and by that you probably mean Ryan Schraeder who was undrafted.....who also wasn't a first season starter You bring up Marcus Gilbert who was a 2nd round pick in a fairly deep OT class.....so it doesn't really help your case You bring up Garry Gilliam, who was undrafted and also wasn't a first season starter. You see a pattern here guy? The guys that were drafted late or not drafted at all took years to become starters, the Texans need a guy to come in and start from day one, the closest you got to that was a 2nd round pick in a deep class.....this year isn't a deep OT class. If you don't solidify the O line, it doesn't matter what you do at QB which is why you don't pick a project QB who might maybe play one day over fixing the OT spot.
You've now moved the goal posts. Sure the Cowboys have a starting RT that was not acquired in the first round, but by all measures, he's not very good. Any GM should be able to find any starter at any position outside the first round. And, also, what BTG said.
I didn't move the goal posts, all of the teams/players I listed as RT's weren't drafted in the 1st rd and those were the best OL's/teams in the NFL.
I understand perfectly, the guys you listed played a lot as rookies. With that said if you feel uncomfortable starting a 2nd/3rd rd pick starting as a rookie then sign a vet like Whitworth/Vollmer in FA. My point is if you like a QB you don't pass on him for a RT. Anybody who thinks differently must have really become accustomed to avg QB at best for the last decade and a half.
So your point is that you should pass on an OT that could start immediately (that you have a need for) in favor of picking a QB that might be a starter after a year or two and you should then later in the draft (or even after the draft) go with an OT that might be a starter eventually but certainly not next season. Bold. I'm not sure it's a bright plan, but certainly a bold one.
Except for the fact that the RTs listed aren't necessarily good players and benefit due to other good players on their lines that were drafted high. If there is an outstanding RT available in any given first round and a run of the mill QB available at the same spot and you need help in both areas, I'd go with the outstanding RT.
No, they didn't play "a lot" as rookies, know what you are talking about or you'll get called out on it. Also, if you go the route of a FA, you better be prepared to pay a ton for them because FA OT's are super expensive.....you know, or you could do the responsible thing and lock down the position in the draft on the cheap. I know, I know, you'd rather a lottery ticket of a QB than a plan that is more of a sure thing.
As would just about any team not named the Cleveland Browns. Top tier OT prospects are some of the most sought after commodities....now there aren't a ton of those in this class, probably not any really, but there should be a few damn good RT prospects by the time the Texans pick to where that position shouldn't be a problem for a decade.....or they can go after a QB that might one day start for the team but who we wouldn't see next year at all.
Guys that started in this yrs ACF/NFC Championship games. Schroeder played n 13 games as a rookie starting 4, Valdosta St. UDFA Cannon- you're right about, he was coming off of cancer treatment, TCU 5th rd Gilbert- 13 games started as a rookie Florida 2nd rd Bahktiari- 16 games started at LT Colorado 5th rd. Yep, you can find starting OT's outside of the 1st rd if you do the hard work. Guys I like are Dawkins in the 2nd. Holden in 3rd/4th/McDermott in the 4th. That would be upgrades over Newton/Clark. I spent time to do the research, so please don't call me out for a lack of knowledge, I'm pretty good at the draftnik game and don't like having to waste my time. We aren't going to agree on this, but if one of the top 3 OT's fell and they passed on Mahomes I wouldn't be upset. In fact if you told me that in 2 yrs the Texans would have Darnold/Rosen playing QB for them I would be all for them strengthening the OL and finishing out the defense in FA/Draft this yr.
