If anyone knows the value of a second round draft pick, it's Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith.
In the last three drafts, he's nabbed Connor Barwin at No. 46, Ben Tate at No. 58 and Brooks Reed at No. 42. That's two starters and a running back who would start for a number of teams.
But Smith passed on the chance to continue his second-round magic Friday night, trading the 58th overall pick and the Texans' seventh-round pick for third (68th overall) and fourth round (126th overall) selections. The trade involved both Tampa Bay (which ended up with the Texans' second round selection) and the New England Patriots.
By the time it rolled close to No. 58, play-making wide receivers Brian Quick (33rd to St. Louis Rams), Stephen Hill (43rd to New York Jets), Alshon Jeffery (45th to Chicago Bears) and big target tight end Coby Fleener (34th to Indianapolis Colts) were all long off the board. LSU wideout Rueben Randle was available (he was later plucked by the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants with the 63rd overall pick).
Smith went for additional depth instead, ending up with two high third round picks rather than a late second round selection.
The Texans will now have five picks in the third and fourth rounds. For Smith, that's six trades in the last three drafts.Â
For rounds two and three of the NFL Draft there are no elaborate stadium parties. Instead Reliant Stadium was a scene of men at work on Friday night. The floor of the arena was bare, only concrete showing, waiting to be assembled for the next event. Back in the Texans' war room, Â a different type of construction job was going on.
In the days before the draft, Smith talked of staying true to the Texans' carefully-researched and vetted draft board.
The Texans haven't given Andre Johnson any new receiver help yet. While teams like the Jets and Bears traded up to get the wideout they wanted, Houston moved back. Jacoby Jones is still being depended on for more than his history says he can deliver.
Smith has decided the Texans' time will come in the third round though.
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