Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's find if Bill O'Brien made any good moves this off season for the Houston Texans. 

2 (8) - Ross Blacklock DT TCU - B

3 (26) - Jon Greenard DE Florida - C+

You know what's the worst part of this draft right now for the Texans, they could have had a lot more picks had they done better trading away DeAndre Hopkins. The Minnesota Vikings got a haul and a half for Stefon Diggs to go along with a bunch of otherwise moves they made. I am okay with trading away Hopkins due to him, Laremy Tunsil, and Deshaun Watkins all having to be paid soon. However, it felt like O'Brien like he did getting Tunsil never really negotiated a better deal. Diggs returned a first round pick, now Diggs is a fine player, but not as great as Hopkins. Had they gotten the number 8 pick from the Cardinals instead of taking David Johnson's terrible deal they could have had Isaiah Simmons. Could you imagine how strong their defense could have been with Simmons, and Ross Blacklock who they took in the 2nd round. Not only that, O'Brien turned around and made another terrible deal trading for Brandin Cooks. They most certainly could have gotten a cheaper, healthier, and younger option with that pick in the 2nd round. For what it's worth, O'Brien has been a pretty good drafter, which is why this felt like he was chopping off his best skills as a GM, with his terrible trading ability that hampered him. Blacklock was a fine pick at the top of the 2nd round and was equally good value since he was inconsideration to be a first round pick. However, I am not sure he fits their 3-4 defensive front nor will he be a good fit to replace the departed D.J. Reader. His strength is being a wiggly and quick interior pass rusher rather than a run stuffer. I am not sure he is a fit for the five-technique either with his lack of length and strength. He is a very strong player, which is why it's a solid B, but how they go about fitting him into their defense is another thing. Greenard was a safe pick in my opinion and in this shallow edge rusher class they could have waited after the top few names were off the board. He is a nice player with a lot of experience and should be a nice rotational asset. However, he is not the most explosive and seems to hit his peak already as a multi year starter. They certainly could have done worst here, but they certainly could have also done better. With so few picks in the first 3 rounds they certainly should have tried to swing for a higher upside prospect that will provide more return this season and beyond. 

4 (20) - Charlie Heck OT UNC - C+

4 (35) - John Reid CB Penn St - D

5 (26) - Isaiah Coulter WR Rhode Island - B

Normally, Bill O'Brien is pretty good at the draft on Day 3, but it seems like he like so many former college coaches seem to get weaker the further away they get from the college ranks. Heck is a nice developmental prospect, but they very well could have had a better blocker that could help them right away in the 3rd round instead of Greenard. Maybe they give their highly reached on first rounder from last year Tytus Howard a shot at the right tackle gig, but he was much better at guard. I am not sure Heck is ready to contribute right away, but he might be forced to. Honestly, they should have made a trade for Trent Williams instead of Brandin Cooks in my opinion. However, O'Brien would never do that due to his dislike of players asking for money early or those who speak out. Reid is a very weak corner who had undrafted written all over him. I also have my skepticism about Penn St players since so few every really hit in the league. Outside of YGM, no other Penn St prospect seemed that strong this year. Of course, O'Brien with his ties there could have fallen in love with a lesser talent. At best he will be a special teamer, but even then Reid's speed may be an issue. Coulter could have been taken higher had he been able to display his talents at his Pro Day, and proven his upside. He does have a ton of upside and brings a lot of size to a rather small receiving core. Overall, this was a bad draft in my opinion since it came at the cost of trading away DeAndre Hopkins and replacing him with Brandin Cooks and David Johnson. In no way was that good football sense with only really getting one viable starter in Blacklock for this season. The AFC South is ripe for the taking and I am not so sure they did enough to separate from the Titans or Colts who will both be better this season. The draft gets a C- in my opinion and maybe even an F if I bring in the Hopkins/Cooks trades intothe fold. 

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