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NFL Draft 2017 Rounds 1-7: Houston Texans Report Card

By Brian K. Patterson

Apr 28, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith (left) and Texans first round draft pick Deshaun Watson (middle left) and vice chairman D. Cal McNair (middle right) and head coach Bill O'Brien (right) pose for a picture during a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith (left) and Texans first round draft pick Deshaun Watson (middle left) and vice chairman D. Cal McNair (middle right) and head coach Bill O'Brien (right) pose for a picture during a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Texans
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

QB Deshaun Watson | Round 1 | 12th Pick

I literally jumped and screamed when I heard the news of us drafting Deshaun Watson!  I can’t believe this happened — Smith actually had the guts to trade up and go get the quarterback that they wanted.  Watson truly was the best QB available in this draft and he is now a Texan.

He is the total package with all the physical tools that are needed to succeed.  He seems to be a good kid and emanates all of what it takes to be leader.

It remains to be seen if he’ll start this season — Bill O’Brien has continued associate his loyalty with Tom Savage — but it’s clear that it will be soon.  I’ve give full kudos to the Texans for doing the unthinkable.

Overall Grade: A+

LB Zach Cunningham | Round 2 | 57th Pick

Zach Cunningham was a surprise pick to me because I just knew we were going to go offensive line in Round 2.  But with Forrest Lamp and Cam Robinson — their likely top targets on their board — going to the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars respectively, Smith decided to go with beefing up the defensive line by adding linebacker Zach Cunningham.

I have no problems with this pick.  He stood out on a lowly defensive line at Vanderbilt U and he pushed running backs around like it was nothing.  He’s a little light as far as his frame with gangling legs but he makes up with that for his speed.

If he bulks up a bit, I think he’ll be a fierce component of an already burgeoning defensive line.  The expectation is that Cunningham will be a third-down guy as he gets his feet wet to help make a key stop when needed.

After all, Brian Cushing isn’t getting any younger and there needs to be succession plan in place.  This guy is ready to contribute immediately.  He had 16.5 tackles-for-loss in 2016! 16.5! Wow!

Overall Grade: A

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