2010 NFL Draft: Best and Worst Houston Texans Draft Picks

In 2002, Bob McNair brought the NFL back to Houston. Throughout the years, there have been some highs and lows. The NFL Draft has been no exception.

Under the regime of Charley Casserly, picks such as David Carr and Jason Babin ruined the backbone of the team. And if you think Casserly deserves credit for drafting Mario Williams, I have some ocean front property for sale in Arizona.

GM Rick Smith has improved the talent on the team with a strong drafting acumen. Brian Cushing and Duane Brown have helped lay a solid foundation for the future of the Texans.

With the draft coming up soon, let's take a look at the best and worst draft picks in the history of the Texans. Luckily, I won't mention all the wasted picks traded away for Philip Buchanan. Other than that.

Best Pick No. 1: Brian Cushing

2009 first round draft pick Brian Cushing has been a God-send for the Texans. Not only is Cushing a great linebacker, but he plays with a ferocious and infectious attitude.

Cushing is rapidly becoming the face of the defense. I can only imagine what will happen in Cushing's second season and beyond.

Best Pick No. 2: DeMeco Ryans

Another linebacker, DeMeco Ryans is the captain of the defense. Drafted in the shadow of the Mario Williams, Vince Young, and Reggie Bush hype mania, Ryans came into the league and took it by storm.

Ryans earned Rookie of the Year in 2006 and has been a leader on the field and off since he came to Houston.

Best Pick No. 3: Owen Daniels

Drafting Owen Daniels with the 98th pick in 2006 was an out and out steal. A Pro Bowl caliber tight end, Daniels has emerged as one of the best tight ends in the league. Provided he can come back from a knee injury, Daniels should continue to be a strong performer in the offense.

Daniels entered the league in what has become one of the strongest draft classes in recent years. Mario Williams, Ryans, Daniels, and Eric Winston have become excellent players. David Anderson, taken in the seventh round, has become a solid contributor. Injured tackle Charles Spencer could have been a great player had he not suffered a gruesome knee injury.

Best Pick No. 4: Zac Diles

Zac Diles, taken in the seventh round out of Kansas State, has developed into a solid player. He's added strength and become more than a special teams player since 2007.

Adding a starting player with a seventh round pick helps a team become playoff caliber. And the Texans are right on the verge of becoming a playoff team with help from Diles.

Best Pick No. 5: Glover Quin

Glover Quin, a fourth round pick, has come out of relative obscurity to be a starting caliber player in the NFL.

The 2009 draft class is also shaping up as a strong class. In addition to Cushing and Quin, Connor Barwin, Antoine Caldwell, and Brice McCain look very promising. James Casey and Anthony Hill also contributed in their rookie campaigns.

Worst Pick No. 1: David Carr

David Carr is out and out crap. Do I really need to say anything else?

Worst Pick No. 2: Jason Babin

Why exactly did the team feel compelled to trade back into the first round to draft Jason Babin?

Oh, right. Casserly was in charge and had no clue. At least Babin is still in the league as a member of the Eagles.

Which is more than we can say for ole Charley.

Worst Pick No. 3: Bennie Joppru

Poor Bennie Joppru. He could never get healthy. A wasted second round pick out of Michigan, Joppru could never contribute to the Texans. At least Joppru didn't wear sissy gloves like David Carr.

Worst Pick No. 4: Tony Hollings

Tony Hollings cost the Texans a second round pick after being taken in the supplemental draft out of Georgia Tech. Hollings flashed some potential before knee trouble kept him from doing more than teasing.

If it weren't for Andre Johnson (and to a degree Domanick Davis), the 2003 draft could have gone done as one of the worst classes in recent memory.

Worst Pick No. 5: David Carr

David Carr must be mentioned again. He nearly ruined the Texans and caused the city of Houston to run the team out of town. He was that bad. And to think, the second pick in the draft was Julius Peppers.