John McClain Awards A Grade Of B For Texans Draft
By Randy Gurzi
Houston Chronicle writer John McClain released a slide show, complete with his analysis of all 32 teams draft and awards each one a grade for their work. When the Houston Texans were evaluated by the columnist, he awarded them with a B for a solid draft.
He praised the team for taking eventual starters like cornerback Kevin Johnson, linebacker Benardrick McKinney and wide receiver Jaelen Strong. While Johnson was the first selection, he may actually have a harder time starting this season than both McKinney and Strong, who play positions with less talent than Johnson does.
"“They got eventual starters with their first three picks and depth with the rest”-McClain"
I wouldn’t be shocked to look back three years from now and see all three of those first picks starting and playing very well for the Texans. One player that McClain doesn’t mention is defensive lineman and sixth round pick Christian Covington.
Covington was a former highly valued prospect, who many thought could be a second or third round pick. Instead, a knee injury forced him to slide and the Texans snatched him up with their second pick in the sixth round.
He too can eventually become a solid player for the team and maybe an eventual starter along the defensive line for the three man front Houston runs.
As for the competitors in the AFC South, McClain gave Indianapolis a C, Jacksonville a B-plus and Tennessee a B.
The Colts took a receiver in Phillip Dorsett from Miami, but they really needed help on defense, badly. Jacksonville possibly hit on defensive Dante Fowler, Jr, running back T.J. Yeldon and guard A.J. Cann, while also practically stealing Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett late. Tennesse got a potential franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota and a talented, but risky wide receiver in Dorial Green-Beckham.