What was Bill O’Brien thinking?
If NFL teams were run by complex algorithms and AI then all of the trade/free agent decisions would be defensible or at least consistent. It’s a human game run by smart, hard-working but ultimately bound-by-feeling human beings. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien traded two first round picks, a second round pick, special teamer Johnson Bademosi, and offensive tackle Julie’n Davenport for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills, a 4th and a 6th round pick (according to Kevin Patra at NFL.com).
It’s clear O’Brien massively overpaid for an average left tackle and an average wide receiver. Thinking about this trade from Bill O’Brien’s perspective, he just saw Andrew Luck, one of the league’s elite QBs retire in his prime. While the Colts certainly invested relatively high draft capital on offensive linemen for Andrew Luck, he was still repeatedly sacked and hit which ended in his early retirement this past month. Young QB DeShaun Watson has already missed substantial time in his career. If O’Brien thinks Tunsil represents the best fix for Houston to improve their offensive line, he would rather give up multiple high draft picks than lose his star QB to injury or retirement. That doesn’t mean Bill O’Brien made the right move, he could have just drafted offensive linemen or traded those picks for decent offensive linemen instead of giving them all up for one player. The Texans, like the Vikings, repeatedly draft high-pick offensive linemen who continue to not produce at an NFL level. The “sure-thing” status of having seen Laremy perform at a starting level was obviously enticing for O’Brien.
It is my opinion that Miami won this trade by a mile.
Jalen Hurts, Jacob Eason, others petition for first round draft status in week one
Hurts put on a ridiculous stat line against Houston. 87% completion, three passing touchdowns, 176 yards rushing and three touchdowns rushing (0 Fumbles/INTs). Certainly Houston does not have the same caliber defense as Washington or Michigan they are still a D1 school, most other starting (top 25) QBs put up less gaudy numbers against DII programs this week. If nothing else, Hurts is on the right track and quickly shedding his ‘game-manager’ reputation from his time at Alabama. It will be exciting to see Oklahoma to player other ranked teams to see what Lincoln Riley and Jalen can do on a consistent basis.
UW QB Jacob Eason waited out Jake Browning’s time at Washington and blew up the scoreboard against Eastern Washington. Browning played more a ball-control scheme in 2018 and ’17 and only passed more than 36 times twice in ’18. Eason completed 75% of his passes on 36 attempts for four touchdowns. Like Hurts, his numbers won’t mean anything unless he can continue to play at a high level against better caliber teams. Eason had played very little collegiate ball before earning the start at Washington and looks very promising so far.
The guys everyone forgot about/overlooked
- Houston QB D’Eriq King has been playing well and was on the losing end of the Jalen Hurts how but played reasonably well as a dual threat passer against Okla.
- 5’11” Mason Fine is still taking snaps for the PRESTIGIOUS U. of North Texas and had another great outing, this time against Abilene Christian. While small school prospects like Fine are unlikely to be drafted before round seven, the emergence of Pat Mahomes has shown that College system QBs (Mahomes played at Texas Tech which throws OFTEN) can be successful at the next level. Fine has consistently produced strong numbers
- Mizzou QB Kelly Bryant (former Clemson QB) had a strong showing in a loss to Wyoming throwing for 400+ yards, 2 TD, 1 INT for a 64% completion.
- Utah State’s Jordan Love got outdueled by Wake Forest passer Jamie Newman and a surprisingly competitive Wake Forest team.
Gridiron Seasonal 