NFL Houston Texans

First Quarter Grades For Every 2014 Houston Texans Draft Pick

First Quarter Grades For Every 2014 Houston Texans Draft Pick

Jadeveon Clowney Houston Texans
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After the first quarter of the season, the Houston Texans are a surprising 3-1. Some may point to a soft schedule as the reason for the good start, but the Texans will have a chance to prove doubters wrong with upcoming games against Dallas and Indianapolis. As the schedule gets tougher, the team will need the rookie class to step up. Here are the first quarter grades for the Texans' draft class.

Round 1: Jadeveon Clowney (OLB-South Carolina)

Jadeveon Clowney Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1: Jadeveon Clowney (OLB-South Carolina)

Jadeveon Clowney Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Despite concerns about his effort on some plays, Jadeveon Clowney was an obvious selection for the Texans at No. 1 overall. Clowney became a household name as a defensive end in college but was moved to OLB in Houston's scheme. Clowney's rookie season hasn't gone according to plan as he suffered a torn meniscus in Week 1. He expects to be back in a few weeks and will return to his starting role.
Grade: Incomplete

Round 2: Xavier Su'a-Filo (G-UCLA)

Xavier Su'a-Filo Texans
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Round 2: Xavier Su'a-Filo (G-UCLA)

Xavier Su'a-Filo Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Su'a-Filo played as much as any Houston offensive lineman in the preseason, seeing time at both guard and tackle, but he hasn't played nearly as much in the regular season. The rookie out of UCLA has played a total of eight snaps this season -- all as a TE on an unbalanced line. Head coach Bill O'Brien has publicly criticized the rookie for poor performances in practice. Until he improves, Su'a-Filo will not be a factor.
Grade: D

Round 3: C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE-Iowa)

C.J. Fiedorowicz Texans
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Round 3: C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE-Iowa)

C.J. Fiedorowicz Texans
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While starting TE Garrett Graham is more of a receiver, the Texans drafted C.J. Fiedorowicz with the first pick of Round 3 to serve primarily as a blocker. Despite increased playing time due to an injury to Graham, Fiedorowicz has only been targeted twice in three games. He has also been suffering from a foot injury but isn't expected to miss any time going forward.
Grade: C

Round 3: Louis Nix (DT-Notre Dame)

Louis Nix Texans
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Round 3: Louis Nix (DT-Notre Dame)

Louis Nix Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When the Texans selected Louis Nix in the third round, the team was hoping to utilize him in a Vince Wilfork-type role in Romeo Crennel's defense. However, after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason, Nix was never able to catch up. A wrist injury held Nix out of the first three games of the regular season before the team placed him on IR, ending his season.
Grade: D

Remaining Picks

Houston Texans Rookies
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Remaining Picks

Houston Texans Rookies
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Tom Savage (QB-Pittsburgh): No. 3 QB on depth chart has yet to play.
Jeoffrey Pagan (DE-Alabama): Has not recorded a tackle in four games.
Alfred Blue (RB-LSU): 34 carries for 127 yards as Arian Foster's backup.
Jay Prosch (FB-Auburn): Has played in all four games.
Andre Hal (CB-Vanderbilt): One tackle in limited action.
Lonnie Ballentine (FS-Memphis): Placed on IR before Week 1.
Grade: D+

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: First Quarter Grades For Every 2014 Draft Pick

New England Patriots: First Quarter Grades For Every 2014 Draft Pick

Dallas Cowboys: First Quarter Grades For Every 2014 Draft Pick

 

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