Still a chance to be selective
Despite no draft pick in the first two rounds, history shows that talent can be found in the third and later rounds
For the first time in the Texans’ 17-year history, they do not have a first-round draft choice.
Because of former general manager Rick Smith’s trades with Cleveland to get quarterback Deshaun Watson and to get rid of quarterback Brock Osweiler, the Texans don’t have picks in the first or second rounds.
This is the sixth time — and first since 2012 — the Texans have been without a second-round selection.
New general manager Brian Gaine goes into the draft with eight picks, including three in the third round: 68, 80 and 98.
After the third round, the Texans’ overall picks are 103 (fourth round), 177 (sixth), 211 (sixth), 214 (sixth) and 222 (seventh).
Successful players can be found in the third round as well as the later rounds.
These are five notable Texans drafted in the third round: offensive tackle Eric Winston (2006), running back Steve Slaton (2008), guard Brandon Brooks (2012), tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (2014) and running back D’Onta Foreman (2017).
Gaine was asked last week if not having picks in the first two rounds has changed the way the Texans approached this draft. He explained that decisions he makes will depend largely on what the teams drafting ahead of the Texans do.
“Because we don’t have a firstand second-round picks, perhaps it could affect draft strategy as it relates to day two based on who got drafted where, what positions got filled (and) what team needs were filled by other teams,” he said. “So if you saw six quarterbacks go off in the first round and perhaps you were in that quarterback market and you thought you needed one, well six teams have already solved that problem.
“Maybe from a strategy standpoint, you have that degree of awareness of how you’re going to attack that position if you’re going to go after that spot.”
Gaines believes that what the Texans accomplished in free agency, particularly with offensive linemen and defensive backs, relieves some of the pressure to draft solely for need when they make their picks.
Gaine’s philosophy is to look for players who are the best athletes but fill needs.
“As it relates to how we’re going to solve some of the issues on our roster, we feel like some of the things we did in free agency are going to put us in position in the draft where you’re not going to get forced to have to draft a player based on need,” Gaine said. “The players we acquired on the offensive line and in the secondary give us position flexibility within the group.
“The best combination of a pick is when you take the best available player that also meets a team need.”
Through the years, the Texans have drafted players after the third round who became multiyear starters.
Players drafted by the Texans in rounds four through seven include running back Domanick Davis (fourth, 2004), tight end Owen Daniels (fourth, 2006), safety Glover Quin (fourth, 2009), offensive tackle Derrick Newton (seventh, 2011), center Ben Jones (fourth, 2012), safety Andre Hal (seventh, 2014), defensive end Christian Covington (sixth, 2015), nose tackle D.J. Reader (fifth, 2016) and offensive tackle Julién Davenport (fourth, 2017).
Gaine is hoping to continue that trend of finding players in the third through seventh rounds.
Going back to the merger in 1970, here are the best players who were drafted at the same spots the Texans pick in the third round: Minnesota receiver Jake Reed (1991), Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs (2003), Denver linebacker Bill Romanowski (1988), Oakland receiver Cliff Branch (1972), New England quarterback Rich Gannon (1987), Kansas City linebacker Donnie Edwards (1996) and Tennessee receiver Derrick Mason (1997).
With the picks the Texans have in the fourth through seventh rounds, some notable players selected in the same spots were Dallas linebacker Bradie James (2003), Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman (2014), Oilers safety Blaine Bishop (1993), New England linebacker Elandon Roberts (2016), San Diego quarterback Trent Green (1993) and Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee (2009).
Not only does Gaine have to find the players, but the coaches have to develop them.
“We grade upside as it relates to a guy’s physical dimensions and the intangible profile,” he said. “The upside part is critical to how we put final grades on players.
“He may be a fourth or fifth corner today, but maybe in two or three years in our player development program, he can be a third corner.”
“Perhaps he’s an eighth or ninth offensive lineman today, but with our strength and conditioning program and with how we’re going to teach him
technique, fundamentals and physical growth, perhaps he’ll be a sixth or seventh offensive lineman a year or two down the road.”
Or perhaps they’ll become starters.