I started to wonder just how bad the team's record in that round has actually been.
Last month I put together an analysis looking at the draft record in the first 2 rounds of some of the most successful drafting teams since 2005. I looked at 10 teams:
- New England (3 SBs since 2000)
- Pittsburgh (2 SBs since 2000)
- NY Giants (2 SBs since 2000)
- Baltimore (1 SB since 2000)
- Green Bay (1 SB since 2000)
- New Orleans (1 SB since 2000)
- Indianapolis (1 SB since 2000)
- Philadelphia (best non-SB winning NFC team since 2000)
- San Diego (best non-SB winning AFC team since 2000)
- Houston
Here are the draft results of those teams in reverse order. It's a long analysis, so it's broken out over several posts.
10. Houston Texans
- 2005: Travis Johnson, DT, Florida St. (#16) - spent 4 years with Houston before moving on to San Diego. Never lived up to his 1st round status. Poor pick.
- 2006: Mario Williams, DE, NC St. (#1) - lived up to his #1 overall draft status before leaving Houston after his rookie contract expired. An Pro Bowl impact defender. Great pick.
- 2006: DeMeco Ryans, ILB, Alabama (#33) - was DROY in 2006 and an anchor of the defense for 6 years before being traded to Philadelphia this offseason. Excellent pick.
- 2007: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville (#10). The youngest player in the 2007 draft, Okoye had a mediocre career before leaving after his rookie contract for Chicago. He has consistently under-produced. Poor pick.
- 2008: Duane Brown, T, Virginia Tech (#26). A ZB OT who was considered a reach, Brown has been a mainstay of the Texans' excellent OL. Good pick.
- 2009: Brian Cushing, LB, USC (#15). Considered a bit of a reach at 15, Cushing was the DROY and has been a Pro Bowl caliber player for Houston. His suspension for PEDs has been the only blemish on his selection. Excellent pick.
- 2009: Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cincinnati (#46). A binky of this board, Barwin was considered raw and a workout warrior by some. He missed a year to a broken leg, but performed at a Pro Bowl level this year, and led to making Mario Williams expendable. Great pick.
- 2010: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama (#20). Jackson had a rocky rookie season as part of one of the worst secondaries of all time. This season the results were better, but the jury is still out. The Texans passed on Devin McCourty to take Jackson. Questionable pick.
- 2010: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn (#58). Tate missed his rookie season due to injury and was ten eclipsed by Arian Foster. But he had a solid sophomore year with 942 yards rushing and a 5.4 YPC average. Solid pick.
- 2011: JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin (#11). Watt played at a Pro Bowl level as a rookie, and looks like he will be one of the best 3-4 DEs in the league for a long time. Great pick.
- 2011: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona (#42). Considered a possible late 1st round pick by some, Reed had a solid rookie year pairing with Connor Barwin after Mario Williams' injury. Solid pick.
Houston had no 2nd round picks in 2005, 2007 and 2008. But they made the ones they had count. DeMeco Ryans, Connor Barwin, Ben Tate and Brooks Reed were all good picks or better. But the Texans missed on several 1st round picks.
9. San Diego Chargers
- 2005: Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland (#11). Merriman was a Pro Bowl force for 3 years before being suspended for PEDs and developing knee issues, possibly from AVN related to steroids. He's been a shadow of himself since then. But DeMarcus Ware would have been a better option. Good pick, but not as good as first thought.
- 2005: Luis Castillo, DL, Northwestern (#28). Castillo has been a solid player and was a starter for most of 6 years, though he never broke through to elite status. Solid pick.
- 2005: Vincent Jackson, RB, Colorado St. (#61). Jackson has been one of the best WRs in the NFL. His contract holdout stalled things a bit, and he has since left in FA for Tampa Bay. But it was a great pick.
- 2006: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida St. (#19). Cromartie broke through in 2007 with 10 interceptions and made the Pro Bowl. His off-field issues were a distraction, however, and his free-lancing did not always pay off. He was traded to the Jets after the 2009 season. Still, given the other options, it was a solid pick.
- 2006: Marcus McNeil, OT, Aubrun (#50). McNeil became a Pro Bowl LT and anchored the Charger's line for 6 years before eventually being let go. Great pick.
- 2007: Craig Davis, WR, LSU (#30). Davis was a bust over 4 seasons, totalling 51 receptions for 558 yards over that period. He's now out of football.
- 2007: Eric Weddle, S, Utah (#37). The Chargers traded up for Weddle, and he has been a mainstay of their secondary. They gave him a huge contract prior to the 2011 season. I'm not sure he's that good, but he was a solid pick.
- 2008: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona (#27). Cason has been a solid and dependable player, though not an elite CB. Brandon Flowers (#34) has been better, but overall Cason has been a solid pick.
- 2009: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois (#16). The Chargers surprised people by taking English early in the 2009 draft. He's struggled with injuries and has never lived up to his status. They passed on Clay Matthews and Connor Barwin, among others. Poor pick.
- 2010: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno St. The Chargers traded #28 and #40 to move up for Mathews. Mathews came on slowly as a rookie, but had an excellent sophomore season, and looks ready to take over as the lead back for years to come.
- 2011: Corey Liuget, DL, Illinois (#18). Liuget played in 15 games and started 13 as a rookie, with 19 tackles. Too early to tell.
- 2011: Marcus Gilchrest, DB, Clemson (#50). played in 14 games and started 4 as a rookie, with 34 tackles. Too early to tell.
- 2011: Jonas Mouton, LB, Michigan (#61). Mouton was considered a huge reach, being rated a day 3 prospect by most. He was drafted largely for his ST prowess. However, he missed all of 2011 with a shoulder injury, and was put on IR after week 3.
Like the Texans, the Chargers have traded away 2nd round picks in several years - they had none in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The San Diego drafts form 2004-2006 were among the best 3 consecutive years I've ever seen. But since then they have been inconsistent at best, with a number of dubious trades and reaches. There have been some major misses as well, especially Larry English and Craig Davis. Jonas Mouton was a huge reach.