Ranking the Houston Texans’ 2014 Draft Picks From Worst to First

Blue’s ultimate role is unclear, but with a strong offseason and training camp he could enter the mix to be Arian Foster’s primary backup.

Pagan should compete for a backup spot on Houston’s defensive line, but consistency was an issue for him at Alabama.

Houston needs more depth at cornerback and Hal has a good chance to make the 53-man roster. But waiting until the seventh round to select their only corner looks bad for the Texans, who intercepted a league-low seven passes last season.

Prosch should have little trouble being Houston’s starting fullback right out of the gate. But any notable contribution he makes on the stat sheet would be a bonus.

“Mr. Irrelevant” for 2014 should be able to earn a roster spot, and perhaps be a contributor on special teams while he refines his game.

Using a third-round pick on a tight end seems like a reach with other needs that were more urgent. But Fiedorowicz’s all-around skills look like a good fit for the Texans, and he should compete for significant playing time immediately.

The Texans waited longer to draft a quarterback than most analysts expected they would, and Savage has some development to do before becoming an NFL starter. But he was one of the more physically gifted quarterbacks in this year’s class, and Houston can give Savage time to watch and learn with Ryan Fitzpatrick slated to start Week 1.

Su’a Filo was a fairly surprising pick, due to the expectation the Texans would take a quarterback at the top of the second round. But he is the front runner to start at left guard for a team that is sure to run the ball a fair amount, so sometimes the safe pick is the best pick.

Clowney was a virtual no-brainer at No. 1 overall. He and J.J. Watt could give the Texans two of the best defensive players in the league for many years to come.

Getting Nix in the third round looks like a steal, assuming his disappointing 2013 season at Notre Dame was a mirage brought on by a lingering knee injury.