Draft Grades: Texans

The Texans got their wish in the 1st round with Brian Cushing. He certainly fills a need, but I still don't like the pick. I think Cushing is overrated and won't be a great every-down player in the NFL. His athleticism isn't anything special and he's little more than a pass-rush specialist. He'll start from day one at strong-side linebacker, but I think the Texans will be disappointed with the selection in the long run. His former teammate Clay Matthews would have been the better pick.

Connor Barwin will likely begin his career at defensive end but I wouldn't be shocked to see him moved to linebacker some day. He's a tremendous athlete, but he lacks the strength to stay on the field at defensive end. He'll likely step in for Antonio Smith in passing situations.

Antoine Caldwell was a great third round selection. I wouldn't be shocked to see him win the starting job from Chris Myers.

Glover Quin was a reach in the 4th round. They certainly needed a cornerback, but I don't see how he solves the problem. He's a nickelback at best and likely will offer very little in 2009.

I'm not quite sure what to make of their selection of two tight ends. I don't understand how a team could have graded Anthony Hill higher than James Casey. I also don't know why they felt it was necessary to take two tight ends. They've already talked about moving Casey to fullback. He isn't an ideal fit there, but he's a playmaker and anyway they can get him on the field would be a wise decision. Hill will be the odd man out, I don't see him making an impact in Houston.

Brice McCain is a phenomenal athlete with elite speed. He's a candidate to play special teams, but I don't see him making an impact at cornerback.

Troy Nolan can be an adequate backup safety and special teams contributor. He was a safe 7th round selection, but doesn't offer any upside.

This was a confusing draft for the Texans. They got a few players that can make an impact, but not necessary players that were right for their system. Cushing will start right away and Barwin will fit into the defensive line rotation. However, they also appeared to enter day two without any real plan. It raises some questions about the ability of their front office. For a team on the brink of playoff contention this was somewhat of a disappointing draft.

Grade: B-

Brian Cushing is a Meathead

"If you watched (USC LB Brian) Cushing at his pro day, he opened up the wrong way twice in drills. He did the same thing once at the Combine. He’s a meathead."

Those were the words from an unnamed front office source according to Pro Football Weekly. It's only one team's view, but it certainly isn't a good sign for Cushing. Whatever one team thinks, there's likely at least a few others that share the sentiment.

Cushing received in invite to New York City for the draft, and he's looking like the favorite to be the last man standing waiting to hear his name called. The earliest realistic landing place for him is New Orleans (14th overall) but the Saints reportedly have their eye on two Buckeyes (Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Wells). Houston is also an option, but they are showing signs of preferring Cushing's teammate Clay Matthews. San Diego has been a rumored destination, but it doesn't make too much sense considering they are more in need of an inside linebacker. If he slides past those three teams he could fall all the way to Patriots or Falcons (23rd and 24th, respectively).

Drug Tests to Be Revealed Early This Weak

According to PFT the official list of players who tested positive for illegal substances will be released to all 32 teams early this week. While the list is never officially released to the public, its safe to say we'll find out the names on that list shortly after the teams.

The names we're all looking for are clearly Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, the two USC linebackers that (according to a site which will remain nameless beacuse we don't want to drive any more undeserving traffic their way) tested positive for steroids. Give the fact that Cushing was invited to New York for the draft, I'm betting those two names will be absent from the report.

It will likely be an uneventful list this year. Expect nothing more than a few guys that tested positive for marijuana, which tends to have very little impact on player's draft stocks.

Draft Visit Tracker: Rey Maualuga

Aside from Andre Smith, no one's draft stock is harder to judge than Rey Maualuga's. He has as much upside as anyone in the draft, but he is the perfect example of a boom-or-bust prospect.

Maualuga's potential future employers range from the Browns (5th overall pick) to the Falcons (24th overall). In addition to the Falcons and Browns, Maualuga has visited with the Redskins, Dolphins, Chargers, Rams, Titans, Saints, 49ers and Chiefs.

A few teams on that list are hard to imagine him with (Titans, Chiefs, Rams), but all the others are realistic possibilities.

In my latest mock draft I have him going to Washington with the 13 selection. The Redskins are in need of a pass rusher, but Brian Orakpo and Everette Brown are likely to be off the board already. Assuming Mark Sanchez isn't available, the 'Skins will turn their attention to the best available linebacker. Brian Cushing and Maualuga would appear to be the best options.

Report: Cushing, Matthews Test Positive for Steroids

According to NFLDraftBible.com, Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing tested positive for steroids at the combine and will be on a list distributed to teams in the near future of players that tested positive for various drugs while in Indianapolis. In addition to Matthews and Cushing, the website reports that Vontae Davis, B.J. Raji, Jose Martinez and Percy Harvin tested positive for marajuana.

The agents of Matthews, Cushing and Davis have all denied the reports. In addition, the NFL released a statement noting that the list of names that tested positive has not yet been released. However, the league did not dispute the claims. While the fact that the league responded indicates that the report was likely false, it isn't exactly an ironclad statement of innocence for those players. The players who did test positive in Indianapolis have all been notified of their positive test, and a prudent agent would have contact teams to prepare them for the release of the list. Reason being, the more time teams have to do their homework on the players in question, the more likely they are forgive and forget and proceed with their original grade on the player. Both NFLDraftBible.com and SI.com, which first reported the Raji positive test on Thursday, cited team sources which could have received the information from agents.

For the time being, take this report with a grain of salt. No credible sources have been able to confirm the report on Matthews and Cushing and it certainly could be a hoax. With that said, keep an eye out for more information in the next few days. The official information will be released eventually and all this drama will be put to bed.