With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. The recently eliminated AFC South Champs are now under the looking glass.
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 – 69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: JJ Watt DE, Wisconsin - 56 Tackles, 5.5 Sacks
Analysis: Watt was solid all season long and played like an animal during the Texans’ playoff run. He is just going to get better with more and more experience.
Grade: 6/5
Round 2: Brooks Reed OLB, Arizona - 45 Tackles, 6 Sacks
Analysis: Reed was a perfect fit as a rush linebacker in the Texans new 3-4 scheme, and put up very good numbers for a second rounder.
Grade: 4/4
Round 2: Brandon Harris CB, Miami – 3 Tackles
Analysis: Harris didn’t do much during his first season with the team but CB was the only position the Texans weren’t hit by the injury bug, so he was a little buried on the depth chart.
Grade: 1/4
Round 4: Rashad Carmichael DB, VA Tech - No Stats.
Analysis: Rashad had no stats and appeared in no games, but he apparently goes by the name “Roc” now so that’s pretty cool.
Grade: 0/2
Round 5: Shilo Keo S, Idaho – 4 tackles
Analysis: This Combine favorite appeared in 10 games but made a measely 4 tackles.
Grade: 0/1
Round 5: TJ Yates QB, UNC – 949 Passing Yds, 3 TD, 3 INTs, 57 Rushing Yds
Analysis: The Texans got more out of this 5th round pick than they ever thought they would. They took him as a developmental prospect but he was forced into action and lead the team to an AFC South title and a playoff win.
Grade: 2/1
Round 7: Derek Newton OT, Arkansas St. – Appeared in 14 games.
Analysis: Newton played in 14 games which is pretty solid production from a 7th round pick.
Grade: 1/0
Round 7: Cheta Ozougwu LB, Rice – Cut
Analysis: The Texans returned this Cheta to the wild.
Grade: 0/0
Undrafted: Bret Hartmann P, Central Michigan – 2,579 Punt Yds, 44.4 Avg.
Analysis: Hartmann punted very well before getting hurt in the later part of the season.
Grade:1/0
Undrafted: Bryan Braman LB, West Texas A&M: 8 Tackles, .5 Sack
Analysis: Braman made a splash in the preseason and made the team with minimum production.
Grade: .5/0
TOTAL SCORE 15.5 /17
FINAL GRADE: 91% A-
Analysis: The Texans made a successful switch to the 3-4 defense this season and a big part of that was because of their first two picks in the 2011 Draft. JJ Watt was an amazing choice at pick 11 and is an excellent 5 technique who will be a Pro-Bowler sooner than later. Brooks Reed was an excellent second rounder who provided plenty of pressure from his outside linebacking spot. The Texans missed with their next three picks but got a steal in round 5 with QB TJ Yates. He showed amazing poise and played well enough to earn a couple of key
Recent comments