I remember Rick Smith saying how happy, even surprised he was that Okoye was still on the Board when the Texans were picking in the #10 slot
back in 2007, and his remarks seemed genuinely sincere. And I dunno, but there was very strong rumors of opportunites to trade the pick.
I doubt that Smith would have drafted Willis even if Okoye wasn't available, given that he played the same position that DeMeco, who had just been named NFL Defensive rookie of the year in 2006, played though with benefit of hindsight today we know we'd much rather have DeMeco at WIL and Willis at MIKE than what we have now, DeMeco & Okoye. Other interesting picks back then would have been Marshawn Lynch & Darrel Revis, just to name a couple.
But along with taking Jacobey with the next pick, that first Draft for Rick Smith is lookin more & more like a real stinker.
|