2011 NFL Draft: Grading the Houston Texans' Draft History
With April right around the corner, many people are starting to gear up for the NFL draft.
After a disappointing 2010 season, in which experts predicted the Houston Texans to make the playoffs for the first time in their young history, Texans fans turn their attention to the draft with hope that things will turn around.
The Texans have made some questionable draft-day decisions, but, in recent years, have made some solid choices that have led to great optimism for the franchise.
We will take a look back and I will grade each year of the Houston Texans' previous nine NFL drafts, with an emphasis on the first-round selection.
2002
1 of 9
2002 was the first year in existence for the Houston Texans and with the first overall pick, they chose David Carr out of Fresno State, in the hopes that he would be the franchise quarterback.
Carr had thrown for 4,800 yards with a 46/9 touchdown-to-interception ratio his senior year of college, but this success never transferred to the NFL. Carr lasted for five seasons with the team, starting 75 games.
He was sacked frequently and never had an adequate line to work behind, but his decision making was questionable also. The Texans decided to go in another direction after a 6-10 record in 2006 and acquired Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons. Carr went on to sign with the Carolina Panthers.
2nd Round: Jabar Gaffney, WR / Chester Pitts, OG
3rd Round: Fred Weary, OG / Charles Hill, DT
4th Round: Jonathan Wells, RB
5th Round: Jarrod Baxter, FB / Ramon Walker S
6th Round: Demarcus Faggins, CB / Howard Green, DT / Milford Brown, OG (Supplemental Draft)
7th Round: Greg White, DE / Ahmad Miller, DT
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 0 Pro Bowlers in 2002 Draft : 20
Draft Grade: D-
2003
2 of 9
After going 4-12 in their first year of existence, the Texans had the third pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
With their selection, they chose Andre Johnson, a wide receiver out of Miami.
Johnson had a very nice rookie season, with 66 receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, Johnson has become one of the most feared wideouts in the game.
His average season from 2004-2010 includes 1,160 yards receiving and 6.5 touchdowns. Johnson has gone on to make five Pro Bowls and will end up in Canton when all is said and done.
Also, he is the definition of a professional in the organization.
The rest of the draft, with the exception of Domanick Davis, turned out to be very average to below average, including complete busts in Bennie Joppru and Dave Ragone.
2nd Round: Bennie Joppru, TE / Tony Hollings, RB (Supplemental Draft)
3rd Round: Antwan Peek, LB / Seth Wand, OT / Dave Ragone, QB
4th Round: Domanick Davis, RB *Pepsi Rookie of the Year
6th Round: Drew Henson, QB / Keith Wright, DT
7th Round: Curry Burns, S / Chance Pearce, C
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 1 Pro Bowlers in 2003 Draft : 33
Draft Grade: B+
2004
3 of 9
Following a one-game improvement to bring their record to 5-11, the Texans had the 10th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. With their selection, they chose Dunta Robinson, a cornerback out of South Carolina.
Robinson was a starter from the get-go, recording 87 tackles and six interceptions in his rookie season. Robinson had a very nice six years in Houston, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in interceptions.
Following the 2009 season, Robinson signed with the Atlanta Falcons, leaving the Texans defensive back field inexperienced. The Texans felt his loss immediately.
1st Round: Jason Babin, DE *2010 Pro Bowl Selection with Tennessee
4th Round: Glenn Earl, S
6th Round: Vontez Duff, CB / Jammal Lord, S
7th Round: Raheem Orr, LB / Sloan Thomas, WR / B.J. Symons, QB
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 0 Pro Bowlers in 2004 Draft : 28
Draft Grade: C-
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2005
4 of 9
The Texans improved once again, moving to a 7-9 overall record in 2004, giving them the 16th overall draft pick in 2005.
Needing help on the defensive line, they chose Travis Johnson, a defensive tackle out of Florida State. Johnson never made a huge impact, and his playing time was limited due to injuries and off-field incidents.
He was later traded in August of 2009 for a Chargers sixth-round pick. This is considered the biggest draft day blunder by the Texans and their worst draft.
3rd Round: Vernand Morency, RB
4th Round: Jerome Mathis, WR *Pro Bowl Kick Returner, 2005
5th Round: Drew Hodgdon, C
6th Round: C.C. Brown, S
7th Round: Kenneth Pettway, LB
Notable Players Drafted after Travis Johnson in 1st Round: Aaron Rodgers, Roddy White, Heath Miller
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 1 Pro Bowlers in 2005 Draft : 23
Draft Grade: F
2006
5 of 9
Taking a huge downturn following the '04 season, the Texans finished 2005 with a 2-14 record and the first overall draft choice. Many people in Houston wanted hometown favorite Vince Young (QB, Texas) to be selected with the first pick, while others wanted electric USC running back Reggie Bush (see Rose Bowl 2005).
The Texans, to the fans' dismay, chose neither (garnering boos on draft day), instead going with Mario Williams, a DE out of North Carolina State.
Mario has gotten off to a nice start to his career, making two Pro Bowls, recording over 230 tackles and 48 sacks in his five seasons. His effort has been questioned many times throughout his career, but he has remained a solid player on the Texans defensive line.
He was the first choice in turned out what to be the Texans' best draft.
2nd Round: DeMeco Ryans, LB *Pro Bowl '07, '09; NFL Defensive ROY
3rd Round: Charles Spencer, OT
3rd Round: Eric Winston, OT
4th Round: Owen Daniels, TE *Pro Bowl '08
6th Round: Wali Lundy, RB
7th Round: David Anderson, WR
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 3 Pro Bowlers in 2006 Draft : 28
Draft Grade: A
2007
6 of 9
The Texans improved four games in 2006, finishing with a 6-10 record.
Following the trade for Matt Schaub, the Texans and Falcons swaped first-round picks, leaving the Texans with the 10th overall choice.
Needing more defense, the Texans chose Amobi Okoye, a 19-year-old defensive tackle out of Louisville.
This was a questionable move, knowing that Okoye was going to be a project player, but he was also rated very high on many draft boards before slipping to the Texans at No. 10.
Okoye has yet to prove himself in the NFL, recording only 133 tackles and 10 sacks in his four seasons.
3rd Round: Jacoby Jones, WR
4th Round: Fred Bennett, CB
5th Round: Brandon Harrison, S
5th Round: Brandon Frye, OT
6th Round: Kasey Studdard, OG
7th Round: Zac Diles, LB
Notable Players selected after Okoye in First Round: Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch, Darrelle Revis, Michael Griffin, Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 0 Pro Bowlers in 2007 Draft : 18
Draft Grade: D
2008
7 of 9
After a two-game improvement to bring their record to 8-8, and after making some draft day trades, the Texans had the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
With this pick, they chose Duane Brown, an offensive tackle out of Virginia Tech.
Brown has been the starting left tackle for the team and has played well for them anchoring the line.
He was suspended in 2010 for four games for violating the league's PED policy.
3rd Round: Antwaun Molden, CB
3rd Round: Steve Slaton, RB
4th Round: Xavier Adibi, LB
5th Round: Frank Okam, DT
6th Round: Dominique Barber, CB
7th Round: Alex Brink, QB
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 0 Pro Bowlers in 2008 Draft : 10
Draft Grade: B-
2009
8 of 9
Finishing with their second consecutive 8-8 record, the Texans were in the 15th position in the 2009 NFL Draft. With the 15th overall pick, the Texans chose LB Brian Cushing out of USC.
Cushing had a phenomenal rookie season, making the Pro Bowl and being named the NFL defensive ROY.
Cushing met with PED controversy in 2010 and was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season.
His defensive ROY was voted on a second time; however, Cushing still took home the award.
2nd Round: Conner Barwin, DE
3rd Round: Antoine Caldwell, C
4th Round: Glover Quin, CB
4th Round: Anthony Hill, TE
5th Round: James Casey, TE
6th Round: Brice McCain, CB
7th Round: Troy Nolan, S
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 1 Pro Bowlers in 2009 Draft : 7
Draft Grade: B+
2010
9 of 9
The Texans had their first winning season in 2009, based on the fact that they had been drafting much better in recent years.
They had the 20th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and with the pick, they chose Kareem Jackson, a cornerback out of Alabama. Kareem had a solid combine and was slotted as a late first-round/early second-round choice, so the Texans took him at 20.
Kareem was named a starter in camp and was the Texans' No.1 corner entering the season.
Jackson struggled mightily, with one of the main reasons being that there was no elder leadership due to Dunta Robinson leaving the team.
Jackson has much upside and there is a lot of room for improvement in 2011 as the Texans hope to bring in a veteran presence for the young corner.
2nd Round: Ben Tate, RB
3rd Round: Earl Mitchell, DT
4th Round: Darryl Sharpton, LB
4th Round: Garrett Graham, TE
5th Round: Sherrick McManis, CB
6th Round: Shelley Smith, OG
6th Round: Trindon Holiday, WR
7th Round: Dorin Dickerson, TE
Notable players drafted after Kareem Jackson: Devin McCourty and Kyle Wilson, CB
Pro Bowlers Selected by Houston: 0 Pro Bowlers in 2010 Draft : 5
Draft Grade: C
Overall Drafting Grade, years 2002-2010: B- / C+
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