Houston Texans: Top 10 Draft Busts in Franchise History

8. David Carr, QB, 2002 1st overall pick

In the first draft of franchise history, the Houston Texans had to go and find a franchise quarterback. They attempted to do so with David Carr out of Fresno State. Carr had good size and a cannon of an arm. Seemed like a pretty safe bet.

However, in the eyes of many, Carr will go down as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. If that’s true, then how is he number eight on this list? Well, my friend, it is because I believe he was not all that bad.

In my eyes, you cannot mention Carr in the same breath as JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, or even Akili Smith. All three of those guys weren’t in the league for a decade. Let alone a starter for five years. Carr did both of those things.

Yes, Carr ended his time with the Texans with more interceptions (65) than touchdowns (59). However, he threw for 13,391 yards in those five years. He was also sacked 75+ times in multiple seasons.

I wonder, if Carr wouldn’t have been the first quarterback in franchise history, what would’ve happened? If he would have had a better offensive line? Or if he had someone else around him that was half as consistent as Andre Johnson?

7. Bennie Joppru, TE, 2003 2nd round pick

After the Houston Texans drafted Carr in 2002, they knew they needed to go get him weapons. In the first round, the team selected their future face of the franchise in Andre Johnson. The pick after him? That’s where the team selected Joppru.

A lot of you may be thinking, WHO?! And I don’t blame you. Joppru dealt with injuries immediately. It took him three years to don the deep steel blue. He appeared in his first, and only, Texans game in 2006.

The Texans cut him after that. He moved on to Seattle where he played special teams for 18 games. That’s where his career and story in the NFL ends.

Joppru, to this day, remains the highest drafted tight end in Texans history.