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The 2020 NFL Draft is officially over. And with it, comes all the chatter that always follows the event.
Which players did a teams reach on and took earlier than expected? What prospects fell down the draft boards and went earlier than anyone thought? Did any crazy trades happen? What about selections that didn’t make sense for a team?
The most exciting thing to do, however, is talk about the busts and the steals. That’s something that can’t be discussed for the 2020 draft for quite some time, though, as the players need to actually hit the field to figure that out.
5. Brandon Brooks
Brandon Brooks spent just four seasons with the Texans. However, the pickings among their draft-day steals are pretty slim for a young franchise such as this.
Brooks was a third round pick (76th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. By 2013, he was a starting right guard for the Texans.
Not only was he starting, but he was very good. Brooks immediately became one of the top guards in the NFL. However, in 2016 he had a new team, the Philadelphia Eagles. While there, he's only gotten better.
Brooks never made a Pro Bowl with the Texans. However, he has made three straight with Philadelphia. At just 30, there's plenty of time left in his career as well, meaning the accolades could continue to pile up.
Yes, Brooks spent just four of his (so far) eight seasons in the NFL with the Texans. And his best years have been in Philadelphia. Houston still got a top starting tackle for three years out of the pick. And getting that out of a third rounder is a value.
On most teams, Brooks' resume with the Texans probably wouldn't crack the top-five for draft steals. But Houston has just 19 drafts under their belts so far, and one just took place. Even the last three years are a wash because two seasons isn't enough to evaluate how a player's career is going to go.
And so, Brooks makes the top-5.
4. Eric Winston
Eric Winston has never made a Pro-Bowl. So he's behind Brooks when it comes to accolades. However, the offensive tackle has a lot going for him that allows him to sneak past the guard.
Winston was taken in the third round (66th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans. He went on to play six seasons with Houston. In that time, Winston appeared in 92 games (starting 87). That pushes him past Brooks, as appeared in just 50 games (44 starts) for Houston.
Winston started all 16 games for the Texans in his last five seasons with the team. While there, he was arguably their best offensive lineman for quite a few of those years.
He then went on to spend one year with the Kansas City Chiefs, then four years with the Cincinnati Bengals before retiring after the 2017 season. He also served as the president of the NFLPA, the players' union.
Winston was severely underrated for most of his career. He spent most of that time as one of the better tackles in the NFL, though. And due to that, he had to make the list.
3. Domanick Williams
In 2003, the Texans used a fourth round pick (101st overall) on Domanick Williams (his name was Domanick Davis when they drafted him).
Williams spent just three seasons in the NFL, but he made them count. The running back jumped out to a fast start in his career, running for 1,031 yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie season. That made him the first 1,000-yard rusher in franchise history. Williams then racked up 1,188 yards and 13 touchdowns the following season.
He ended his career with 3,195 yards on 770 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns in his three seasons in the NFL, all with the Texans. Williams also added 154 receptions for another 1,276 yards and five touchdowns in the air.
He never made a Pro Bowl, but did make the All-Rookie team in 2003.
Williams suffered a knee injury in 2006, his last season, that forced him to only play 11 games. He was released from the Texans that offseason, marking the end of his career.
His numbers for that brief time are impressive. He averaged over 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns a season. As a fourth round pick, Williams emerged as a top back in the NFL for three seasons. Even with that short a tenure, it's hard not to put him near the top of the list.
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2. Glover Quin
The Texans selected Glover Quin in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He would go on to spend four of his 10 seasons in the league with Houston.
In those four years, Quin became one of their top defensive backs.
He spent two seasons as a cornerback and two as a safety. And in that time, Quin recorded 314 tackles (14 for loss), one sack, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also racked up five interceptions and 47 pass deflections.
His last six seasons were spent with the Detroit Lions. There, Quin turned into a true star. He finished his career with 737 tackles (25 for loss) and four sacks. Quin also added 10 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries, as well as 24 interceptions (two touchdowns) and 84 pass deflections.
In his career, Quin made it to one Pro Bowl (although it was with the Lions).
Yes, his best seasons were in Detroit. But Quin was still one of Houston's top defensive players for a few seasons. And the fact that they got him in the fourth-round is incredible, especially considering he started for them as a rookie.
With a franchise that's only been around since 2002, careers after their time with Houston have to also be considered. After all, a fourth-rounder like Quin is only proving himself to be more of a steal once he flourishes, no matter where it happens.
1. Owen Daniels
For the top pick, a career post-Houston doesn't need to be considered to get ranked.
Owen Daniels was selected in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by Houston. That was the same draft as Winston, so it was a pretty good year for the Texans draft-wise.
In fact, they also took Mario Williams (97.5 career sacks) in the first round and DeMeco Ryans in the second. So 2006 has a case for the best draft in franchise history so far. And Daniels is a major reason for that.
The tight end spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons with the Texans. In those eight years, he made his mark on the franchise.
Daniels racked up 385 receptions for 4,617 yards and 29 touchdowns. All three of those stats rank third all-time in franchise history in their respective categories.
After Houston, Daniels spent one season with the Baltimore Ravens and one season with the Denver Broncos. He added to his resume nice in those two seasons.
The tight end finished with 479 career receptions for 5,661 yards and 36 touchdowns. He made two Pro Bowls (both with the Texans) and finished his career on a high note, winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 2015. Daniels was a contributor in the Super Bowl run too, scoring two touchdowns in the playoffs.
Houston has not had a very long history in the NFL Draft. Still, they have had some standout moments. And Daniels is the crowning achievement so far. Any team would be happy to call him one of their top steals in NFL Draft history, and for the Texans he ranks No. 1.
