Houston Texans – Blog

Texans draft history: Seventh-round picks

We’re taking a round-by-round look at the players who have been drafted by the Texans since their inaugural season in 2002. In particular focus are the picks made since 2007, Rick Smith’s first draft as Texans general manager.

Bold denotes made Texans’ active roster that season
*Denotes finished 2011 season on an NFL roster
#Denotes Pro Bowlers

Texans seventh-round draft picks
2011: Cheta Ozougwu, LB, Rice (254 overall)
2011: Derek Newton, T, Arkansas State (214 overall)*
2010: Dorin Dickerson, WR, Pittsburgh (227 overall)*
2009: Troy Nolan, S, Arizona State (223 overall)*
2008: Alex Brink, QB, Washington State (223 overall)
2007: Zac Diles, LB, Kansas State (218 overall)*
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2006: David Anderson, WR, Colorado State (251 overall)*
2005: Kenneth Pettway, LB, Grambling State (227 overall)
2004: Raheem Orr, LB, Rutgers (210 overall)
2004: Sloan Thomas, WR, Texas (211 overall)
2004: B.J. Symons, QB, Texas Tech (248 overall)
2003: Curry Burns, SS, Louisville (217 overall)
2003: Chance Pearce, LS, Texas A&M (233 overall)
2002: Greg (Stylez G) White, LB, Minnesota (229 overall)
2002: Ahmad Miller, DT, UNLV (261 overall)

Troy Nolan didn’t make the active roster as a rookie because he was on injured reserve, but he has been a contributor for the last two seasons. That makes four out of six seventh-round draft picks under Rick Smith who have made the team. Diles (30) and Nolan (6) both started games for Houston.

Only Nolan and Newton are still on the Texans. Nolan is the Texans’ top backup at safety, while Newton could be the Texans’ top backup at tackle (swing tackle) in his second season.