NFL draft grades 2017: Analysts torn on Deshaun Watson’s value for Texans

Was the high price for the Clemson quarterback worth it?

The Texans have been looking for a franchise quarterback ever since becoming a franchise. Over the past three seasons alone, Houston’s starting passers have included Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Case Keenum.

That’s why paying a premium for the opportunity to select Clemson’s Deshaun Watson made sense, even if it wound up costing a pair of first-round picks. The Texans fielded the NFL’s top defense last season and should be even better once J.J. Watt returns, especially with All-American linebacker Zach Cunningham in the fold. Now, they’re betting the national champion quarterback is the man who can lead the team from good to great.

They need Watson to make a quick adjustment to fend off the Titans. Tennessee had a big draft haul, addressing its needs at wideout and in the secondary by adding Corey Davis and Adoree’ Jackson in the first round. From there, playmakers like Taywan Taylor and Jonnu Smith could be the key to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2008.

They weren’t the only teams to spark debate with their picks in 2017. Here’s how the rest of the AFC South fared.

Houston Texans

Trading up to grab Watson was divisive, as analysts wavered between “C” and “A” grades for the Texans. Houston gave up a ransom to jettison Brock Osweiler and then select Watson — the eventual cost was two first-round picks and a second-round pick. Watson was the most accomplished passer in the 2017 draft, and even a mediocre year could provide better returns than what Osweiler gave last season.

The rest of their draft netted a combination of accomplished college standouts and developmental picks. Cunningham was a game-changing linebacker for Vanderbilt, while D’Onta Foreman ran for more yards than all but one other FBS tailback last fall. Both should contribute this fall.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: C+
Mel Kiper, ESPN: C+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C+
Chris Burke, SI: A
Nate Davis, USA Today: B-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts got a top-five player for a top-15 price when Malik Hooker dropped in their laps, then added another upper tier defensive back when Quincy Wilson slipped out of the first round. More defensive help followed with a pair of players who will be projects in Ohio defensive end Tarell Basham and Albany State defensive line anchor Grover Stewart. That’s a lot of talent, but Indianapolis only took one offensive lineman, which is bad news for Andrew Luck.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
Chris Burke, SI: A
Nate Davis, USA Today: B-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-

Jacksonville Jaguars

Ezekiel Elliott’s 2016 disproved the recent adage that running backs aren’t worth premium picks. The Jags doubled down on that in 2017, selecting Leonard Fournette at No. 4 overall. Fournette could be a generational talent, but he’s coming off a disappointing junior year at LSU. If he lives up to expectations, he could transform Jacksonville’s offense and take pressure from embattled quarterback Blake Bortles. Tackle Cam Robinson (and, to a lesser extent elusive wideout Dede Westbrook) will also be a boon for Bortles.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B-
Mel Kiper, ESPN: C+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B-
Chris Burke, SI: B
Nate Davis, USA Today: B+
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee had two major areas of need coming into this year’s draft. It addressed both of them by the 18th pick of the first round. Davis may have seemed overvalued at the No. 5 overall pick, but the run on wide receivers that followed validated the Titans’ choice. Thirteen picks later, Jackson shored up a big hole in the secondary while adding significant special teams value. Taylor and Smith should add more punch for an offense that needed to surround Marcus Mariota with playmakers.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B-
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
Chris Burke, SI: B+
Nate Davis, USA Today: A-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-