Houston Texans NFL Team Column

By Mark Stein

14 May 2008

2008 NFL Draft:  The 8^th Round

Some people think the NFL draft is only seven rounds.  Oh, no, my friends, not even close!  When the St. Louis Rams chose linebacker David Vobora with the last pick of the 7^th round, the televised portion of the draft was over, but the real action had just started for the players whose names were not called.  Rick Smith, the Texan’s General Manager, had good luck last year signing undrafted rookies, as four of his choices are still on the Texan’s roster in some fashion.  This year, Smith quickly recruited seven more players that were not chosen in rounds 1 through 7.  On this page, it’s called the 8^th Round.

LB Ben Moffitt (South Florida), 6’2”, 245:  All Big East 1^st Team in 2007.  Ben was named National Defensive Player of the Week after 2 interceptions and a touchdown in the Bulls win over West Virginia in 2007.  Sure tackler.  Intense with a non-stop motor.  A prime candidate for the practice squad, Moffitt was among the last 10 semifinalists for the Butkus award. 

WR Ryan Grice-Mullins (Hawaii), 5-10, 188:  Led the Rainbow Warriors in receiving yards last year with over 1300 yards.   Ryan has sure hands, and is elusive after the catch.  13 TD catches as a senior and named 1^st team All-WAC.  Timed at 4.46 in the 40 at the combine, but 4.33 at his pro day.  R.G.M. will find it hard to make the 53 man roster, but has the talent to make the practice squad.  Watch out, David Anderson!

LB Marcus Richardson (Troy), 6’2”, 235:  Marcus was a three year starter.  Consistently timed in the low 4.5’s at combine and pro day.  Doesn't give up on run or pass plays.  Willing to hustle from sideline to sideline, and has the speed to do it, but lacks ideal size.  Richardson could make the squad as special teamer, outside backer, or backup strong safety.

WR Darnell Jenkins (Miami, FL), 5’10”, 188:  This ‘Cane is a good athlete that plays faster than his times indicate.  Started the first three games in 2006 and was leading the team in receiving before blowing out his ACL and missing the remainder of the season.  Soft hands.  Good intangibles, but smallish and has trouble breaking away from jams at the line.  Jenkins will find it hard to make the Texan’s team or practice squad, but he has fought through hardships before with the ACL injury.

TE Cole Bennett (Auburn), 6’4”, 260:  Known as a run blocker and hard worker, but not particularly fast.  Bennett is smart, and hustles according to his coaches.  Awarded the offensive Pat Dye Leadership Award in the spring.  Good route runner.  The ex-Tiger will struggle to hang onto the practice squad.

DE Jesse Nading (Colorado State), 6’5”, 260:  Good Shrine Bowl practices, but did not dominate in college.  Started all 12 games at defensive end, collecting 56 tackles, 6½ tackles for loss, 3½ sacks last season.  Named second-team All Mountain West honors.  Jesse will have a hard time making the squad, but the Texans are looking for a pass rushing end, so he lines up at the right position to surprise his doubters.

DT Gabe Long (Utah), 6’3”, 290:  Last season, Long was one of the strengths of the Utah defense.  2^nd team all conference.  Separated his shoulder late in the year.  Did not have a stellar college career, and Gabe will find it challenging to hang onto the practice squad.

Undrafted rookie free agents make NFL squads every year, and a couple of these players probably will hang on to at least the practice squad.  The Texans, however, have never been as deep at every position as they stand today.  The competition will be fierce, and Houston is sure to be forced to release some players that will catch on with other teams.

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29 April 2008

Houston Texans:  2008 Draft Report

Round 1, #26:  Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech.  6-4, 308
While not many mock drafts had Brown going in the first round, Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith both said he was the man they wanted.  The Texan’s Coach / G.M. duo took a calculated risk and traded back from pick 18, and still got their man.  This move netted them an extra 3^rd rounder, #89, and a 6^th rounder, #173.  Brown started out as a tight end with the Hokies, but ended his college career at left tackle.  Named 2^nd team All-ACC last year.  The Texans’ brass, along with Offensive Coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, like Brown’s upside, and believe with good coaching, he can be a starter in the NFL at left tackle.  They like his passion, intelligence, and quick feet.  Brown will have time to develop behind last year’s left tackle Ephraim Salaam.

Round 3, #79:  Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky.  6-0, 198
Once again, Kubiak and Smith take a player higher than most draftniks predicted.  I believe the experts call this “a reach”, but according to Richard Smith, they love Molden’s measurables.  Molden really impressed the team at the combine, and again in a private workout with Texan’s secondary coach, John Hoke.  Good lateral movement.  Good tackler.  Apparently they believe Molden’s sub 4.4 speed can be coached to overcome the small college experience.  Smith has also said they like Molden at cornerback, not safety, as some had speculated.

Round 3, #89:  Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia.  5-9, 197With the extra 3^rd rounder from the trade with the Ravens, the Texan’s staff believe they’ve found their 3^rd down back of the future.  Very quick.  Slashing style of runner.  Very good hands.  Slaton finished 4^th in the Heisman voting in 2006, and was 2^nd team All Big East his senior year.  Texan’s O-Coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, has stated Slaton is a “Marshall Faulk type.”  Making the Texan’s roster at running back just got a lot tougher.

Round 4, #118:  Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech.  6-1, 236
The term for drafting a player like Adibi in the 4^th round is “a steal”.  Coach Kubiak could not stop smiling while being interviewed about this young linebacker.  Adibi was first team All-ACC last year, and made some first team All-America lists.  He’s an energetic linebacker that plays faster and bigger than his measurables.  Also good in coverage, and “jumping the route”, as the kids say.  The Texans staff believe he will push hard for a starting spot this year.

Round 5, #151:  Frank Okam, DT, Texas.  6-5, 3282^nd team All Big 12 in 2007.  High upside.  Able to take on two blockers.  The Texans hope that this massive kid can be a run-stopper like Pat Williams in Minnesota.  Okam is a smart kid from Texas that scared off some teams by his desire to go to law school.  They questioned his desire to play football.  The Texans interviewed Big Frank, and are convinced he’s committed to the NFL.  If he is committed, Okam could be a part of the Texan’s D-Tackle rotation this year.

Round 6, #173:  Dominique Barber, S, Minnesota.  6-0, 210 2^nd team All Big Ten.  Projected to strong safety in the NFL.  Average speed.  Good tackler.  Produced at high level against good competition.  Led the Gophers in tackles in 2007.  May stick with team due to special teams skills.

Round 6, #183:  Chris Myers, C, Miami.  6-4, 300
(This is why you come here.  Because Stein counts Chris Myers as part of the 2008 draft.  Hey, the Texans gave up a sixth rounder for the man, so he counts!)Three year starter at “The U”.  Played three years in Denver as a pro.  Started all 16 games last year.  Strong cut blocker with a bit of a nasty streak.  Knows the blocking scheme employed by Texans coach Alex Gibbs.  A steal.  Projected as the starting center.

Round 7, #223:  Alex Brink, QB, Washington State.  6-2, 212The Cougars all time leader in passing TD’s and in yardage.  Tough competitor.  Average arm strength.  Average accuracy.  Average speed.  Slight chance of making it to the practice squad.

Stein rates the Texan’s ’08 Draft:

Above average.  A solid “B”.

Duane Brown may have been a reach in the 1^st round, but with no 2^nd round pick, the Texans went for the “need” pick.  If Kubiak & Smith are right, and Brown is a perfect fit in their scheme as a left tackle, then it’s not sexy, but it’s a functional pick.  So, they got their man, and picked up Slaton and Barber by trading back.  By all accounts, Slaton is a very solid 3^rd round pickup.  Molden may have been a reach in the 3^rd, but Adibi was a steal in the 4^th, so that evens out.  Okam in the 5^th could be a steal if his heart’s in the game.  Myers is a LARGE steal in the 6^th as we know he will start, and Barber may be quality depth.  Any 7^th round pick has a hard time sticking to an NFL roster, but Brink gives them another arm for OTA’s and mini-camp.

Coming Soon:  Undrafted Free Agents & How the Draft Affects the Depth Chart.

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24 April 2008

Texans Draft Preview 2008

It’s now two days before the 2008 NFL Draft, and big things are happening!  Kansas City traded Jared Allen to the Vikes, the Cowboys make a deal for Pacman Jones, and the Saints G.M. states that they want to trade up in the first round.  The move most likely to affect the Texans is the Kansas City deal since they now have the pick directly before Houston in the first round.

Kansas City has many needs, but chief among them is offensive line, wide receiver, and now, defensive end.  If any of the top tackles slip, or Brandon Albert, the Chiefs may snap them up.  I believe this increases the probability that the Texans will choose a cornerback in round one. 

As Texan’s General Manager Rick Smith so often states, good players will unexpectedly slip down draft boards, so they are not locked into drafting any one position.  This is what happened last year, when the Texans never envisioned a scenario in which Amobi Okoye dropped to them at the 10^th pick.  Smith quickly grabbed the young Louisville D-lineman, and he had a respectable rookie season.

The Texans do not currently have a 2^nd round pick, which went to Atlanta to complete the Matt Schaub deal, and they gave up their 6^th rounder to Denver for probable starting center Chris Myers.  This leaves Houston with five picks over two days, unless they make a trade.

Stein rates the Texans’ needs:

Red Level Needs (Highest):  Cornerback, Offensive Tackle, Safety, Defensive End, Running Back.

Blue Level Needs (Medium): Punter, Tight End, Linebacker, Defensive Tackle, Guard.

White Level Needs (Low): Placekicker, Quarterback, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Center.

While it’s improbable the Texans would draft another D-lineman in the 1^st round, stranger things have happened.  More likely, a cornerback or offensive lineman that Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith have rated highly will drop to them.  Smith has also recently stated that he would entertain the idea of trading back, which just adds to the draft day drama.  NFL draft picks are certainly hard to predict, but that’s what makes it fun!  One thing’s for sure; Texans fans have never had to wait so late in round one for their pick, and that’s a good thing.

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15 April 2008

Texan’s Draft History: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

Well, draft day is rapidly approaching, and if you’re like me, you’re getting more excited each day.  Will your team grab a great late round pick like Marques Colston or will they take a total loser like Ryan Leaf?  Who knows?  But it’s fun, ain’t it? 

The Texan’s last two drafts have rated right up there among the tops in the league, and Texan’s fans are anxiously awaiting Rick Smith & Gary Kubiak’s second draft together.  Here’s a look at Texan’s past drafts (in no particular order) with a Clint Eastwood slant:

THE GOOD:

3rd Pick of the 2003 Draft: Andre Johnson – The two time Pro Bowler is clearly the best player ever on a Texans’ roster.

10th pick of the 2004 Draft:  Dunta Robinson – Although not a Pro Bowler yet, Robinson is a clear fan favorite for his hustle and hard hitting style.

1st pick, 2nd Round of the 2006 Draft:  DeMeco Ryans – Ryans made the Pro Bowl last year after leading the NFL in tackles in 2006 as a rookie.

6th Round, 2002 Draft:  Demarcus Faggins – Although a reserve for most of his career, Faggins has played many snaps, and contributes every year, even though he was only a sixth round pick.

2nd Round, 2002 Draft: Chester Pitts – Even though Pitts was a little known player at San Diego State, he has started every game in Texans’ history.

THE BAD:

Round 1, 2004 Draft: Jason Babin -  The Texans traded three picks and swapped back in the 5th round to the Titans for Babin in 2004.  To put it kindly, this trade did not work out.

Round 3, 2002 Draft: Charles Hill – The D-Tackle from Maryland didn’t make it to the first regular season game before being cut.

Round 3, 2003 Draft: Seth Wand & Dave Ragone – The offensive tackle and quarterback never did much for the Texans, and are long gone.

THE UGLY:

Round One, Pick One, 2002 Draft: David Carr – Although he started for five seasons, Carr never developed the intangibles to go with his physical skills.

Round 2, 2003 Draft: Bennie Joppru – The tight end from Michigan may have been a good pick, but injuries cost him a chance every year.

Round 1, 2005 Draft: Travis Johnson – The Texans traded back, which cost them Jammal Brown, and then took Johnson over Marcus Spears.  Johnson barely made the team last year as a backup.

Oh, in case you thought I forgot;  Mario Williams fits in the “Good” category.  Though the organization, (not Mario), was booed for taking Williams by many fans on draft day ’06, Mario is a very good player.  Williams clearly had a better second season than either Reggie Bush or Vince Young.  If Mr. Williams continues to play at his 2007 level, he will be in quite a few Pro Bowls, and will never be considered “Bad”, or “Ugly”.

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8 April 2008

Updated Texans 2008 NFL Draft Needs and Mock Draft

Before listing the Texans’ needs in the 2008 NFL Draft, I will first tell you what they will not choose with their first three picks.  (Did that sound confident?)  The Texans will not be using their 1^st, 3^rd, or 4^th round selections on a quarterback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, fullback, tight end, punter or kicker.  Okay, so the punter and kicker were easy ones.  Can’t I have a couple of gimme’s?  It says right here that they will also not use their 1^st or 3^rd rounder on a running back as predicted by so many fans and experts.          

            Gary Kubiak loves Chris Taylor.  Who is Chris Taylor?  He’s an undrafted rookie out of Indiana from a couple years back who’s on the Texan’s roster at running back.  He probably would have backed up Ahman Green in 2007, but he blew out his knee early in the year.  With the signing of Ex-Titan Chris Brown, the Texans will head into the summer camps with Green, Brown, Taylor, and Darious Walker taking reps at tailback.  With Coach Kubes so high on Taylor, do not look for the Texans to use a high pick on a running back.    

            So, what are the Texans looking for in the ‘08 Draft?  They want to improve the run game, cover better, and improve the pass rush.  (Also score more points, and give up less points.)  The thinking in Houston is that the pass coverage will improve if the pass rush improves.  As a team, Houston has never ranked high in the sack category.         

            The Texan’s needs in the draft are:                                                                  

            A) Offensive Tackle: Kubiak was very disappointed with only 99.1 yards per game on the ground, and a 3.8 per carry average.  Since he has the running backs he wants, and now has Alex Gibbs as his line coach, look for the team to bring in competition for the O-line.

            B) Cornerback: Fred Bennett did very well at corner as a rookie in ‘07, but with fan favorite Dunta Robinson’s leg injury, and the non-stellar performances of the backups, cornerback is a need pick.

            C) Free Safety: C.C. Brown, Will Demps, and Glenn Earl are Houston’s top returning safeties.  They do what they can, and tackle well, but they do not possess the speed needed to be a top flight free safety.

            D) Defensive End: The Texans picked up free agent Chaun Thompson from Detroit to could play either linebacker or defensive end, but look for the Texans to also draft a speedy defensive end.

            E) Offensive Guard: Fred Weary was injured last year, and Coach Kubiak has repeatedly said he won’t count on injured players to come back and contribute.  A lesson learned from Dominick Davis/Willliams.  Yes, I know I said Coach Kubiak likes Chris Taylor to come back this year, but he was hurt very early last year, and with Green, Brown, and Walker to share reps, they don’t have to rush Taylor back.

A Mock Texans Draft may look something like this:

Round One:  Chris Williams, OT,  Vanderbilt

Round Three:  Tracy Porter, CB, Indianna

Round Four: Shawn Crable, DE, Michigan

Round Five: Simeon Castille, FS/CB, Alabama

Round Six: Eric Tunney, OG, Central Michigan

Round Seven: David Vobora, LB, Idaho

            Unless the Texans make a trade, or sign another free agent or two, this is how I see the Texan’s 2008 draft.  I’ll be back before the draft with more info, and educated guesses.

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