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Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.Longtime NFL reporter Rick Gosselin, like most writers, knows that readers like draft grades. He grades a draft, and then re-grades it after the season. He's a tough grader, and gives most teams average grades.
Surprisingly, this year the only team that received an A+ in his grades were the Houston Texans. He thought the picks made sense for the team, and I agree. I don't know how they will perform on the field, but the selections were good value and fit key needs.
The top two selections in USC LB Brian Cushing and Cincinnati DE Connor Barwin focus on improving the physicality and athleticism of a Texans defense that has struggled over the last four years.
In their second day picks, they drafted Alabama C Antoine Caldwell to be quality depth to the center/guard position so they don't have to carry as many offensive linemen on their game day roster. They drafted two tight ends who are completely different--NC State's Anthony Hill is intended as a replacement to blocking TE Mark Bruener who just retired, and Rice standout James Casey has been drafted as an athlete who could do any number of roles for the Texans on offense and special teams.
They've carried four tight ends on the Texans roster in Kubiak's first year with the team. His offense relies on the TE position more than just about any team in the league.
They also picked up two corners in New Mexico's Grover Quin and Utah's Brice McCain, and a safety with Arizona State's Troy Nolan. Are these the picks to fix the Texans secondary finally? Probably not, but they acquired some more competition. The Texans will keep throwing bodies at a weak position until it becomes a position of strength. That hasn't happened yet with the secondary, but part of that may be due to the issues with little pass rush.
Basically, they got some needs and some possible playmakers. The major need that they weren't able to fill in the draft was a complementary running back with Steve Slaton. Even then, they picked up two undrafted free agents in Tennessee's Arian Foster and Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson.
If you look at comments from head coach Gary Kubiak and the ones from the Texans director of scouting, it is clear that the Texans were looking at getting smart, versatile, athletic players of good football character and leadership. One of the major voids the Texans team had when Kubiak took over was one of leadership, and I guess this draft class aims to address that.
If you would like to know even more about the Texans draft class, I suggest you read my more in-depth report over at the Houston Chronicle entitled, "2009 Houston Texans draft overview and hot topics."
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