Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Houston Texans.
2012 NFL Draft analysis: Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have done an excellent job of stock piling talent through the draft over the last few years. The team has gone from a perennial door mat in the AFC South to a contender for the AFC crown. The 2012 NFL Draft was just another example of the positive direction this franchise is heading in.
Houston filled needs and stock piled value in their draft picks. They lost Mario Williams, but nabbed Whitney Mercilus, a pass rusher that arguably fits their defense better than Mario, late in the first round. They continued adding value with the selections of center Ben Jones and defensive end Jared Crick. It's tough to point out too many mistakes in this draft.
Late-Round Steal: C Ben Jones, Round 4, pick 99
Ben Jones is a perfect fit for Houston's zone blocking scheme, and he wasn't too far behind Peter Konz as the best center in this draft class. He is an excellent athlete with great instincts for the position. At the low price of a fourth rounder pick, the Texans made out like bandits here.
Questionable selection: None
It's tough to call any pick the Texans made last weekend a questionable selection. I probably wouldn't have drafted a kicker in the fifth round, but that's just splitting hairs. If Randy Bullock turns out to be the team's long-term starting kicker, the pick will have been a success. It's not as if tons of talent was available in round five anyways.
2013 mock draft pick: Josh D - WR Da’Rick Rodgers, Tennessee | Matthew Fairburn - LB Jelani Jenkins, Florida
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