2014 NFL Draft Grades: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans started off the 2014 NFL Draft by making the correct selection. They could have taken a quarterback. They could have taken a trade offer had they heard one to their liking. But in the end they did not over-think it and took the best player in Jadeveon Clowney, a guy who also happens to be the best draft prospect in years in the opinions of many.

Here’s a look at the rest of the 2014 NFL Draft for the Houston Texans.

Best pick: Louis Nix III, DT

This should say: “best pick besides Clowney.” The Texans entered this draft with glaring needs on their roster at linebacker, defensive tackle, and quarterback. When it comes to those issues with their front seven on defense, the Texans addressed those by adding versatile and talented guys in this draft. Clowney will be the most impactful, but they potentially got a steal with Nix considering where they drafted him.

Worst pick: Tom Savage, QB

It’s all relative, though. Savage is a solid QB prospect and the Texans’ decision to draft him in the 4th round might prove to be a sound one. When I say it’s relative I simply mean that Houston seemed to have a good draft so you are left splitting hairs a bit when trying to identify their worst pick. Like most teams, the worst pick will be evident soon enough once we see these guys on the field, but for now I will say Savage just because I personally would have liked to have seen them address the QB position sooner.

The Texans might be a team on the verge of a quick turnaround; those teams make for some of the best stories during any given NFL season, so I find it frustrating that the Texans might be held back from having that kind of year because Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing quarterback. But boy oh boy is that pass rush going to be fun to watch.

Other noteworthy picks include guard Xavier Su’a-Filo and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz.

Grade: A