In the course of the 2009 NFL draft, the Houston Texans made several critical selections. Among them was Brian Cushing who, through the course of his career, surged forward to earn the title of the all-time leader in tackles for Houston and obtained recognition as a Pro Bowler before hanging up his boots in 2017. Additionally, Connor Barwin emerged as one of the league’s most impressive secondary pass rushers, holding his ground in both Houston and Philadelphia over several seasons. Lastly, Glover Quin’s performance evolved into Pro Bowl and All-Pro status once he shifted his base to Detroit.
With the lens of retrospection, it proves intriguing to ponder how many of these players could have been re-drafted to Houston if history had taken a different turn. As per a recent revisionist exercise – a 2009 NFL re-draft conducted by Pro Football Focus – two of Houston’s original selections were identified as first-round draft material.
In an unexpected twist, the alternate timeline proposed by Pro Football Focus saw the Texans choosing Quin over both Cushing and Barwin. This ascendency was owing largely to Quin’s potential prowess in providing effective coverage on the field.
Brian Cushing, the heartbeat of Houston’s defense, had been bypassed in this particular scenario for Glover Quin, who was originally a fourth-round pick. Heralded for his sterling performance in 2014 when he led the league with seven interceptions, Quin earned his place at the Pro Bowl.
Notwithstanding his veer towards Detroit, Quin made an impression during his Houston tenure. Over a duration of four seasons, he mustered a total of six interceptions and 47 pass deflections. However, his eventual exit for Detroit signaled the start of an even more compelling chapter in his career.
In Detroit, also known as the Motor City, Quin’s spotlight shone brighter than ever. Through his six seasons there, he once again led the league in interceptions, clocking in seven instances. Furthermore, he came in second for pass deflections, with a notable count of ten, during the year 2014.
By the time Quin decided to retire after the 2018 season, his performance sheet was impressive. It showcased a cumulative total of 24 interceptions and 84 pass deflections, illustrating his significant contribution to both Houston and Detroit.
The alternate draft order culminated with Cushing being the 20th overall selection. Despite occasional lapses in constancy, Cushing was a force to be reckoned with. His career statistics encompassed 644 tackles, 30 pass disruptions, eight interceptions, and 13.5 sacks.
In terms of performance, Cushing stood out during his initial years on the field. PFF recognized his proficiency in tackling, awarding him grades above 81.0 during four of his first five seasons. His contributions as a defense player did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by his 77.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades over the course of his first three NFL campaigns.
In this revised scenario, the particular needs of the Detroit Lions come into focus. Their requirement for a stronger linebacker going into the 2009 NFL Draft could have been met by selecting one of the available players in this re-envisioned draft.
To put things into perspective, these three promising athletes – Cushing, Barwin, Quin – each carved their own path of success, notable in their statistical accomplishments and contributions to the teams they played for, whether it was Houston or beyond.
Cushing, while shuffled down in the re-draft, proved his worth countless times, with tackling and pass-rushing records supporting his prowess on the field. Furthermore, his consistency through his initial seasons speaks volumes about his capabilities.
Quin’s potential and eventual success story is a testament to the dynamic nature of the NFL – the unexpected rise of a fourth-round pick to a lead defensive back position only reiterates the importance of coverage skill. His feats in Houston and later in Detroit paint a vivid picture of his growth as a player.
The drafting strategy which primarily influenced the Houston Texans’ 2009 decisions provides important lessons for current drafting strategies and player development philosophies. The impressive careers of Barwin, Quinn, and Cushing illustrate the value in identifying potential and investing in player growth.
With the hindsight of a decade, this 2009 NFL re-draft exercise provides valuable insight into the changes in player potential over time, as well as the influence of team change on player performance. It’s a reminder to both teams and players that those selected in the later rounds, such as Quin, can sometimes become the game’s biggest stars.