Houston Texans: Grading the Team's First Round of 2012 NFL Draft

In the pass-happy league that is the NFL, one can never have too many pass-rushers. That was the philosophy of Wade Phillips heading into the draft, and the Houston Texans selection of DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus out of Illinois reflects that philosophy. 

Mercilus is an outstanding pass-rusher, and he will certainly improve the already deadly Texans' pass rush. He will join Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin in a three-man rotation at outside linebacker. With the addition of Mercilus, Reed and Barwin will have the luxury of being able to rest on the sideline without there being a huge drop-off in production on the field.

There is no doubt that Mercilus will contribute to an already solid defense. The question is, however, was drafting an outside linebacker in the first round the correct choice for the Texans?

They have a multitude of other needs. Are those positions more important to fill than outside linebacker?

Was Mercilus the correct selection?

Whitney Mercilus' Strengths and Weaknesses

Whitney Mercilus is a relentless pass-rusher. He has that perfect combination of size, speed and technique.

Mercilus is not just a raw outside linebacker whose only way to rush the quarterback is to out-muscle and outrun his opponent on the offensive line. No, Mercilus can beat a blocker off the edge as well as use his incredible repertoire of moves to move one out of his way. As a player coming into the NFL after his junior year in college, it is surprising how well Mercilus uses his hands.

By comparison, Brooks Reed, who was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2011 draft, had no skill using his hands coming out of college. He learned a little in his first season, but he primarily used his athleticism to get his six regular-season sacks.

Mercilus, who is just as athletic and strong as Reed, is much more advanced in the technicalities one needs to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

In his last season with the Fighting Illini, Mercilus led the nation with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles. He displayed an ability to get after the quarterback and create big turnovers when he hit the QB.

While Mercilus is an extremely effective pass-rusher, he is also very solid against the run. His speed and vision allow him to plug the gaps quickly, while his strength allows him to fight through blocks and get to the ball-carrier. Furthermore, his speed allows him to blow up running play in the backfield before they even get started. Mercilus had 22.5 tackles for a loss last season, and his ability to stop the run was a huge part of that.

But like almost any player in the NFL draft, a question remains about Mercilus. It is not about his physical ability, but more about his consistency.

Mercilus was a one-hit wonder in his junior season. He produced eight times as many sacks in his junior season as he did in his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. He had 24 total tackles in his first two seasons, while he produced just two less tackles-for-loss in his most recent season. 

As walterfootball.com points out, however, there have been several one-hit wonders in college who have excelled in the NFL. Jason Pierre Paul of the New York Giants is one such example. 

If the one defining weakness about Mercilus is that he was a one-hit wonder, that says something about the type of player he is. If the majority of draft experts and scouts can find little wrong with his physical game, that means he has the ability to become a major pass-rushing force in the NFL for the Houston Texans.

Outside Linebacker vs. Other Needs

While Whitney Mercilus is a talented football player and athlete, was it the right decision to pick an outside linebacker instead of addressing one of the Texans' other needs?

Of those other needs, a lack of depth at wide receiver and on the offensive line stands out. At wide receiver, the Texans have very little behind Andre Johnson. When he was injured last season,  Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter did not take up the slack.

So it has become imperative for the Texans to draft a receiver. Unluckily for the Texans, when it was their turn to pick, there were not many first round-worthy receivers remaining. At No. 26, the one remaining with a first-round grade was Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill. He is an inconsistent receiver who does not yet posses the route-running skills to play in the Texans' play-action scheme. 

Hill would have been an extremely risky choice in the first round. His draft stock is high only because of his freakish athleticism. When a team is drafting in the first round, it should never take a player who might contribute. It must take a player who it knows will contribute.

In the case of Mercilus vs. Hill, Mercilus was the much better pick.

Fortunately for the Texans, the 2012 NFL Draft is loaded with wide receivers who can contribute right away. Heading into Day 2, highly touted receivers such as Alshon Jeffery, Reuben Randle, Brian Quick, Nick Toon, Ryan Broyles and Mohamed Sanu still remain.

The Texans can find a receiver later in this draft. They didn't need to draft one in the first round. The same can be said for the offensive line, where there were not a lot of options when it came time for the Texans to pick.

However, there are many linemen who can still contribute who are available in the later rounds. Boise State's Nate Potter and Pittsburgh's Lucas Nix are two of them.

Given the situation, the Texans made the right choice going outside linebacker over wide receiver and offensive line.

First-Round Grade

Whitney Mercilus is a great football player who will become a big part of the Texans' already fearsome pass rush. He will be able to contribute effectively, allowing Brooks Reed or Connor Barwin to get some much-needed breaks. This will allow the Texans' pass rush to stay fresh and lively.

At the 26th pick of the draft, the Texans made the best decision in choosing to go outside linebacker over wide receiver and offensive line.

Hopefully, Mercilus will enable the Texans' defense to continue what it started last season.

Being merciless. 

Draft Grade: A

Looking Ahead to the Second and Third Round

On Day 2 of the draft, the Texans have several glaring needs and depth problems that must be solved. They have needs at wide receiver, offensive line, tight end, nose tackle and cornerback.

The most prevalent needs will be addressed today. Expect the Texans to draft offense with their next two picks, hoping to balance their stingy defense with an efficient offense. I expect the Texans to go with a wide receiver with their next pick. If he's available, Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers would be a great option. 

In the third round, the Texans will most likely go cornerback or offensive line, depending on the availability of certain players. These positions are weaknesses, and it would be smart for the Texans to address them as quickly and effectively as possible. 

As we inch closer to the second and third round, only time will tell who the newest members of the Texans will be.