Sports Illustrated And Rotoworld Grade The Houston Texans Draft

Nov 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Tom Savage (7) scrambles with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Burke and Doug Farrar (Sports Illustrated), and Evan Silva (Rotoworld) have given out their draft grades for the Houston Texans draft. Let’s see how these experts graded the Texans selections.

Sports Illustrated: Grade A- (Click here for more of Burke’s analysis)

"Ten selections, though most of the focus will fall on what Houston did at No. 1 overall (DE Jadeveon Clowney) and what it did not do from there on out (land a No. 1 starter at QB). Tom Savage had the Texans’ eye all along, so they have to be happy they got him at 135. Since Clowney was close to a no-brainer, the real stars of the work done here came in guard Xavier Su’a-Filo atop Round 2 and in a trade-up for DT Louis Nix III in Round 3. Houston is a much better team than it was headed into Thursday, but will it matter without a surefire quarterback?"

Rotoworld: Grade A (Click here for more of Silva’s analysis)

"Overview: I realize it was just a sixth-round blip on the radar, but the Texans’ selection of Auburn lead-blocker Prosch is a strong indication of how this team plans to play until rookie coach Bill O’Brien finds a legitimate quarterback: Houston is going to run the ball with volume and play stout defense. Almost every pick here suits that philosophy. A freakazoid outside pass rusher in Clowney. A two-down toilet clogger in Nix. A hammerhead, lane-clearing fullback in Prosch. A pro-ready blocking tight end in Fiedorowicz. A high-ceiling left guard in Su’a-Filo. Running back depth with Blue. Even Mr. Irrelevant Ballantine is a toolsy safety with starting-caliber measurables."

Silva brings up a good point on the Texans draft. The Texans knew they weren’t getting a star quarterback in the draft and instead focused on size. Their first four draft picks all fight in the trenches. Clowney and Nix will help out J.J. Watt tremendously and help bring a physical presence to the Texans defense. Su’A-Filo and Fiedorowicz are great blockers at their positions and big bodies that will open up holes for Arian Foster.