Draft Wrap-up

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I listen to Gil Brandt, and he had our 3rd and 4th rounders lower than we took them.

Based on the history of Rick Smith and this scouting crew, I am not going to doubt the talent of the kids taken, but I will question if we could have waited a round on each of them.

I suppose the main reason we (fans, analysts, draftniks, etc.) like to grade the draft is because we want to feel smart. Based upon all of the 'consensus' thought that was available, Earl Mitchell, Corey Peters, Tyson Alualu, and several other players were projected to be drafted later than they were. Perhaps a few fans here would have been fine if the Texans had drafted Alualu instead of Mitchell. However, when the Jags did it in the first round they are obviously 'crazy' to reach for such a player. If he outperforms Amobi Okoye in his rookie year, then perhaps they did themselves a favor.

It only takes one team to like a guy. If Tim Tebow turns into Steve Young, then the Broncos are very smart for taking him. If Colt McCoy become Jeff Garcia, the Browns were astute in letting him 'fall' to them - since most analysts figured he was a top of the 2nd round guy.

This is why I like Drew Boylhart. He doesn't get into the politics of where teams are supposed to take a guy. If I'm honest, Earl Mitchell is probably worth the 3rd rounder we spent, I was just expecting to get a steal and get him in the 7th round (like he was being projected). I was hoping to steal Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, and the question was could I be greedy and get other potential starters before taking him? I would have taken him in the 3rd round where we took Mitchell (#81) but, the Eagles "reached" for him (#86). Boylhart came out and profiled him, after I had put him on my draft board, and gave him a 1st round grade. Similarly, he gave Geno Atkins a 2nd round grade. Personally, I think Atkins will be better than Okoye. Atkins went in the 4th round (#120) after we selected Garrett Graham. So, my point is simple. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Ben Tate was my favorite RB in the draft. I had him ranked lower than Spiller, Mathews, Best, and Gerhart. Why? Because I wanted to have the option to be able to get both.

So, I am not going to get all abrasive about the emperor wearing no clothes. I had Kyle Wilson ranked ahead of McCourty and Devin ahead of Kareem Jackson. What gets me bent out of shape? I had Dan Williams ahead of just about everyone in the draft. If we passed up the opportunity to get Pro-Bowlers in order to get non-descript starters that filled holes then,that irks me.

That's why I make a board, and list who I would have picked as the Texans make their picks. So, I can come back in three years and say whether or not they knew better than me. They should, they get paid better.