2012 mocks
 

I know for some this is way to early, but with little going on in the world of football, now is not a bad time to start this thread.

draftsite.com has a 7 round mock for the 2012 already up. They are using 2011 draft order, this is the 1st of many to follow. Texans picks

11 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
42 Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6' 3" 220
73 Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati 6' 5" 298
104 Peyton Thompson CB San Jose State 5' 11" 170
135 Carmen Messina ILB New Mexico 6' 2" 222
173 Tony Bergstrom OT Utah 6' 6" 310
203 Jake Bequette DE Arkansas 6' 5" 270

Not claiming to know all of the players, so I will talk players I know of and positions of need.

The current needs appear to be: Safety, WR2, ILB, OLB, DE, OL.

How would I approach this draft?

11 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215 Fuller has played in our offense, he is a big strong WR, he had a big day against Patrick Peterson in the bowl game. Solid pick up to be the #2WR and develop to a future #1WR.

42 Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama 6' 4" 250 Hightower would be insurance/replacement for Ryans. The history of recover to an elite level for an Achilles injury is not promising. So a stud for the middle of the defense is needed.

The next move I would make is DB. Then I would look for a OLB to develop. Every year or two will be time to draft a project to play OLB in the 3-4.

Then I would go from there .

WalterFootball.com 5.12.11
 

This one is interesting one, Walter has the Texans picking at 20, and you know what that means, again they miss they playoffs. So does Gary get the boot? I don't know that, but a decent mock here.

My attempt, I am thinking that the Texans sign a FA to start at CB this off season and because of that they skip the CB in the 1st. In the 2nd round I did an A or B. A is if they have to look at an upgrade to Ryans who has a hard time coming back from from the heal (hope I am wrong but stats about his injury from other players is not encouraging), my B 2nd pick is in case Ryans has a full recovery.

20 Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M (I admit the Aggie in me is rooting for this)
52 A Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
52 B Ray Ray Armstrong, SS, Miami

My reason for posting these mocks: It give me players to watch this upcoming college season. Other wise I have no reason to watch.

This last season I saw Watt's play in no fewer than 6 game because I was watching John Clay, who turn out not to be drafted.

So go to the mocks, see who the so called expert think are the top prospects, and watch some college football.

This was TJ Yates' (our 5th round QB) goto receiver. Some good vids of these two hooking up on youtube. Perhaps they meet again?

I saw some of those highlights. He does look nice. I would not be opposed to Jones being a Texans, he looked solid, he plays in our offense, has decent enough speed, appears to have good hands and looks very good after the catch.

Here could be some other choices -some early cool-aid has Texans making playoffs again in several predictions

http://www.mockdraftmania.com/201105...raft-2-rounds/
29. Houston Texans Janzen Jackson FS Tennessee
61. Houston Texans Brandon Lindsey 3-4 LOLB Pittsburgh

ok, another early go
http://www.footballmockery.com/2011/...ock-draft.html
24.) Houston Texans Vinny Curry - DE-Marshall

or
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/P...k-draft-050311
21. Houston Texans — Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With the draft just past, and Wade Phillips as the honcho of the defense, I think the 2012 Draft will address offense again. The #2 WR would seem to be the logical place to look, being that AJ needs a good #2 to take some of the double coverage off of him. It is way early yet but I will be watching the kid from NC this season.

Draftsite.com 06/15/11
 

11 Luke Kuechly* ILB Boston College 6' 3" 225
42 Darius Fleming OLB Notre Dame 6' 2" 245
73 James Wilson OG Florida 6' 3" 318
104 Shea McClellin DE Boise State 6' 3" 262
135 Lance Lewis WR East Carolina 6' 3" 200
173 Travian Robertson DT South Carolina 6' 4" 298
203 Brandon Bolden RB Mississippi 5' 11" 220

I could see an ILB in the 1st round, not likely, but possible. Now another OLB in round two? That would be three years in row, Barwin, Reed, and then Fleming. Now if Mario leaves in FAs then maybe a 2nd on OLB. But you also draft a DE in round 4 that will most likely be a conversion OLB, now you are getting alful young at OLB.

My early shot, and this is more about position than players at this point.

11 Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama 6' 4" 250
42 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
73 Derek Wolfe 3-4 DE Cincinnati 6' 5" 298
104 Brian Peters S Northwestern 6' 4" 215
135 Al Netter OT Northwestern 6' 6" 310
173 Drew Butler PT Georgia 6' 2" 205
203 Malik Jackson 3-4 OLB Tennessee 6' 5" 265

First off I want to say I have only watched Hightower Fuller and Butler play off this mock. I picked guys that looked to fit a role on paper, after all this is a summer mock.

ILB is a concern until Ryans proves he has recovered from his injury. Time to get a #2 that can grow into a future #1. Need to think about replacing Smith at some point at DE. The rest of the picks were just a crap shoot.

I dunno, what are the odds of somebody BESIDES Luck being the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft ?

Draftsite.com 07/22/11
 

11 Riley Reiff* OT Iowa 6' 6" 280
43 Billy Winn DT Boise State 6' 4" 288
75 Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati 6' 5" 298
107 Zach Collaros QB Cincinnati 6' 0" 209
139 Alex Hoffman OG Cincinnati 6' 5" 293
171 James Rodgers WR Oregon State 5' 7" 185
203 Tyler Moeller OLB Ohio State 6' 0" 210

I know this is preseason, pre FA signings, pre anything, but come on. Not a great mock IMO.

What positions do I think are next years draft needs pre-FA signings: WR, DE, S, CB, ILB, OLB, NT, P, KR

And where do I expect them to be picking?

21 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
53 Jaye Howard 3-4DE Florida 6' 3" 295
85 Courtney Upshaw ILB Alabama 6' 2" 262
117 Janoris Jenkins CB Florida 5' 11" 186
149 Travian Robertson DT South Carolina 6' 4" 298
181 Drew Butler PT Georgia 6' 2" 205
214 Dan Hoch OT Missouri 6' 7" 318

I guess I will be redoing in a week or so when the FAs are signed.

Draftsite.com 8.2.11
 

24 Dwight Jones WR UNC 6' 4" 225
56 Mychal Kendricks OLB Cal 6' 0" 241
88 Jeff Allen OT Illinois 6' 5" 305
120 Christian Tupou DT USC 6' 2" 285
152 Brandon Taylor S LSU 6' 0" 191
184 Jordan Jefferson QB LSU 6' 5" 220
215 Nate Eachus RB Colgate 5' 10" 206

They have us in the playoffs, but not there for very long.

My attempt

24 Dwight Jones WR UNC 6' 4" 245 or Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
56 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295
88 Ben Jones OC Georgia 6' 3" 300
120 Joel Foreman OG Michigan State 6' 4" 304
152 Tony Jerod-Eddie DT Texas A&M 6' 5" 300
184 Miles Burris ILB San Diego State 6' 3" 240
215 Bradley Sowell OT Mississippi 6' 7" 315

Draftsite.com 8.16.11
 

Here is one I can get my teeth around.

25 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
57 Nigel Bradham ILB Florida State 6' 2" 235
89 Lucas Nix OT Pittsburgh 6' 6" 300
121 Austin Davis QB Southern Miss 6' 2" 208
153 Melvin Ingram DT South Carolina 6' 2" 264
185 Tramain Thomas S Arkansas 6' 0" 198
216 Jeffrey Demps RB Florida 5' 8" 183

My attempt:

25 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
50 Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama 6' 4" 250
89 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295
121 traded with #57 to get #50
153 Chris Galippo ILB USC 6' 2" 250
185 Momo Thomas CB Colorado State 5' 9" 179
216 Ben Burkett OC Northwestern 6' 4" 300

Draftsite.com 8.27.11
 

25 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
57 Nigel Bradham ILB Florida State 6' 2" 235
88 Blake Gideon S Texas 6' 1" 200
120 D.J. Woods WR Cincinnati 6' 1" 170
152 Andrew Sweat OLB Ohio State 6' 2" 238
184 Marcus Bartels CB Florida Atlantic 5' 9" 170
215 Isaac Madison CB Arkansas 5' 11" 185

Better than their last attempt, but still to many DBs. The Texans need to start looking at some of the core positions on the offensive side of the ball, so they can develop young guys for depth and later stars.

My attempt;
25 Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
57 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295
88 Ryan Miller OG Colorado 6' 8" 320
120 Courtney Upshaw ILB Alabama 6' 2" 262
152 Cam Johnson DE Virginia 6' 4" 265
184 Trevor Robinson OG Notre Dame 6' 5" 300
215 Ben Burkett OC Northwestern 6' 4" 300

Draftsite.com 9.7.11
 

25 Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6' 3" 220
57 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
88 Ryan Miller OG Colorado 6' 8" 320
120 Chris Galippo ILB USC 6' 2" 250
152 Aaron Corp QB Richmond 6' 3" 200
184 Trevor Olson OT Northern Illinois 6' 6" 306
215 Antonio Fenelus CB Wisconsin 5' 9" 190

Draftsite.com 9.15.11
 

25 Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6' 3" 220
57 Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington 6' 3" 348
88 William Vlachos OC Alabama 6' 1" 292
120 Chris Galippo ILB USC 6' 2" 250
152 Brandon Taylor S LSU 6' 0" 191
184 Mike Harris CB Florida State 5' 11" 183
215 Matt McCants OT Alabama, Birmingham 6' 7" 295

My take

25 Dwight Jones WR UNC 6' 4" 245
57 Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama 6' 4" 250
88 Antonio Allen S South Carolina 6' 2" 205
120 Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin 6' 4" 315
152 Brandon Taylor S LSU 6' 0" 191
184 Drew Butler PT Georgia 6' 2" 205
215 Damario Belcher WR Indiana 6' 5" 215

Draftsite.com 9.22.11
 

25 Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6' 3" 220
57 Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington 6' 3" 348
88 Ryan Lindley QB San Diego State 6' 4" 215
120 Eddie Whitley S Virginia Tech 6' 1" 192
152 Danny Trevathan ILB Kentucky 6' 1" 228
184 Alex Hoffman OG Cincinnati 6' 5" 293
215 Marcus Bartels CB Florida Atlantic 5' 9" 170

Draftsite.com 10.4.11
 

27 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
59 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295
90 Joel Foreman OG Michigan State 6' 4" 304
122 Zach Collaros QB Cincinnati 6' 0" 209
154 Lance Lewis WR East Carolina 6' 3" 200
186 J.K. Schaffer ILB Cincinnati 6' 1" 223
218 Mike Harris CB Florida State 5' 11" 183

Draftsite.com 10.14.11
 

26 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
58 A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois 6' 1" 185
89 Jaye Howard DT Florida 6' 3" 295
121 Rokevious Watkins OT South Carolina 6' 4" 340
153 Jerry Franklin ILB Arkansas 6' 1" 241
185 Jacquies Smith DE Missouri 6' 4" 255
217 Jarrett Lee QB LSU 6' 2" 207


My take? Going in a different from there picks type draft.

26 Courtney Upshaw ILB Alabama 6' 2" 262
58 Nick Toon WR Wisconsin 6' 3" 212
89 Ryan Miller OG Colorado 6' 8" 320
121 Aaron Henry S Wisconsin 6' 0" 210
153 Julian Miller DE West Virginia 6' 4" 260
185 Matt McCants OT Alabama, Birmingham 6' 7" 295
217 Micanor Regis DT Miami 6' 3" 300

Draftsite.com 10.18.11
 

Your not going to like the drop, but they have us not making the playoffs, so here it goes.

17 Alshon Jeffery* WR South Carolina 6' 3" 234
49 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
81 Kirk Cousins QB Michigan State 6' 3" 202.
112 Ryan Miller OG Colorado 6' 8" 320
144 George Iloka S Boise State 6' 3" 207
176 Donnie Fletcher CB Boston College 6' 1" 196
208 Adrian Robinson DE Temple 6' 2" 248

I don't hate this draft at all. Other than not making the playoffs of course.

The not making the playoffs is the part I was talking about not being happy about.

I still don't like a WR in round 1 because then you have to get him the ball. Too many mouths disease brought on by Bryant and Jones in Dallas and Atlanta has meant a big step back for Austin and White, and for their offense as a whole since they don't run the ball as much. I'd prefer a Jacoby Jones replacement in rounds 2-4.

I'd also love a tackle on either side that could move Winston inside. Aside from that CB (if our front office is either gone or smart enough to admit a mistake), DT, KR/PR specialist, ILB, OC, WR again for 4/5 and special teams coverage (Andre Davis type).

Draftsite.com 10.25.11
 

Talk about a swing in the rankings, I think this maybe a little high, but we will see.

27 T.J. McDonald* S USC 6' 2" 205
59 Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut 6' 4" 295
90 Marvin McNutt WR Iowa 6' 4" 215
122 Andrew Sweat OLB Ohio State 6' 2" 238
154 Omar Bolden CB Arizona State 5' 10" 195
186 G.J. Kinne QB Tulsa 6' 2" 215
217 Tysyn Hartman CB Kansas State 6' 3" 206

Or we could be crazy and go this way:

27 Rueben Randle* WR LSU 6' 3" 201 BPA for our system, not my choice of position
59 Billy Winn DT Boise State 6' 4" 288
90 Joel Foreman OG Michigan State 6' 4" 304
122 George Iloka S Boise State 6' 3" 207
154 Sammy Brown OLB Houston 6' 3" 240
186 Trevor Olson OT Northern Illinois 6' 6" 306
217 Tysyn Hartman CB Kansas State 6' 3" 206

I like Tyron Carrier to be what Trindon Holliday was supposed to be for us. I'd love him as a last day pick or UDFA. Awesome return skills, and they used him all over the field on offense and he ran great routes in every possible use. I think you could get him as a KR and then see if you can make the speed work elsewhere as a bonus.

Draftsite.com 11.01.11
 

25 Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma 5' 11" 178
57 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
88 Joel Foreman OG Michigan State 6' 4" 304
120 Jerry Franklin ILB Arkansas 6' 1" 241
152 Zach Collaros QB Cincinnati 6' 0" 209
184 Kyle Wilber DE Wake Forest 6' 5" 235
216 Rodney Stewart RB Colorado 5' 6" 175

My try:

25 Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington 6' 3" 348
57 Ben Jones OC Georgia 6' 3" 300
88 Tony Jerod-Eddie DT Texas A&M 6' 5" 300
120 Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin 6' 4" 315
152 Chris Galippo ILB USC 6' 2" 250
184 Tyrone Crawford DE Boise State 6' 4" 275
216 Korey Williams ILB Southern Miss 6' 2" 243

I don't love my mock but there are some interesting names there.

Too early to name names, but I would like to see a Calvin Johnson type WR (I know, I don't want much do I?), CB, LB, and a rookie QB before the end of the 3rd round. I like the way Smith moved around in the Draft this year to get an extra second. Maybe we could do something like that again in the 2012 Draft.

Draftsite.com 11.08.11
 

27 Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma 5' 11" 178
59 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
90 Ryan Lindley QB San Diego State 6' 4" 215
122 Danny Trevathan ILB Kentucky 6' 1" 228
154 Cam Johnson DE Virginia 6' 4" 265
186 Tysyn Hartman CB Kansas State 6' 3" 206
217 Lance Dunbar RB North Texas 5' 9" 202

I'm not feeling this one, but like the draft position. I'm waiting until bowl time to get a real feel for this draft. Not sure yet how solid the draft is going to be.

I think I'd like more size out of a 1st round WR. Who are the big WRs for us to watch who would be late 1st-3rd round talent?

This is the WRs taken in the first 3 rounds of the above mock, in the order they were taken. This order will change between now and the draft due to forty times and combine workouts. There are a couple guys I really want to see more of and a good number of them are currently in the 2nd round range.


Justin Blackmon* WR Oklahoma State 6' 1" 205
Alshon Jeffery* WR South Carolina 6' 3" 234
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6' 3" 220
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma 5' 11" 178
Rueben Randle* WR LSU 6' 3" 201
Dwight Jones WR UNC 6' 4" 245
Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M 6' 4" 215
Juron Criner WR Arizona 6' 4" 210
A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois 6' 1" 185
Kendall Wright WR Baylor 5' 11" 185
Marvin McNutt WR Iowa 6' 4" 215
Nick Toon WR Wisconsin 6' 3" 212
Jarius Wright WR Arkansas 5' 10" 180

Draftsite.com 11.15.11
 

Check out where the pick is, do you think the Kubiak haters will shut up?

31 Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma 5' 11" 178
63 Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati 6' 5" 298
94 William Vlachos OC Alabama 6' 1" 292
126 Duke Ihenacho S San Jose State 6' 1" 210
158 G.J. Kinne QB Tulsa 6' 2" 215
190 Andrew Sweat OLB Ohio State 6' 2" 238
221 Jacquies Smith DE Missouri 6' 4" 255

I don't like the 1st pick, I don't see the team taking a short WR with a bad knee in the 1st round. Other than that I could live with draft.


31 Rueben Randle* WR LSU 6' 3" 201
*39 Nate Potter OT Boise State 6' 6" 293
63 Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati 6' 5" 298
*71 Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M 6' 4" 216
94 Tony Jerod-Eddie DT Texas A&M 6' 5" 300
126 Louis Nzegwu DE Wisconsin 6' 4" 250
159 James Wilson OG Florida 6' 3" 318
190 Donald Stephenson OT Oklahoma 6' 6" 309
221 Adrian Hamilton DE Prairie View A&M 6' 3" 255

In my mock we get a 2nd and 3rd round pick from Washington for Matt Leinart. :D

If Kubiak can navigate this disaster and make a deep playoff run I might back off a bit. Some goon's idea of the team's future draft status does not impress me at this point.

Broyles, though, does impress me. He's not the 6'3" you want but I can see him being a Steve Smith sort of NFL player.

I'd still rather draft a corner there or maybe a safety.

I'm not opposed to CB or S at the 31st pick:
Jayron Hosley* CB Virginia Tech 5' 11" 170
Chase Minnifield CB Virginia 6' 0" 185
Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama 5' 11" 186
Cliff Harris* CB Oregon 5' 11" 160
Brandon Boykin CB Georgia 5' 10" 185

Those are the next 5 DBs in this mock, not another safety taken until the 3rd (not accounting for the 3 safeties taken before our pick in the 1st). Also want to point out that Brandon Harris has yet to see the field in our crowded defensive backfield. Doesn't mean we cannot upgrade the #2 CB that is on the roster now. But I do want to point out that Jackson has played well as of late.

Draftsite.com 11.22.11
 

26 Bacarri Rambo* S Georgia 6' 1" 208
58 Mike Brewster OC Ohio State 6' 5" 293
89 Mike Martin DT Michigan 6' 2" 299
121 Marquis Maze WR Alabama 5' 10" 179
153 G.J. Kinne QB Tulsa 6' 2" 215
185 Marcus McGraw ILB Houston 6' 0" 210
216 Matt Conrath DE Virginia 6' 7" 270


They have us taking a safety in the 1st round, I've been happy with Quin, so I don't get this one. But it's November...

I think last years Draft, along with the excellent FAs we picked up, indicate that we have really beefed up the defense. So I would like to see the emphasis this time be on the offense.

Draftsite.com 11.29.11
 

25 Devon Still DT Penn State 6' 5" 311
57 Matt Daniels S Duke 6' 1" 200
88 Marvin McNutt WR Iowa 6' 4" 215
120 David Molk OC Michigan 6' 2" 285
152 Donnie Fletcher CB Boston College 6' 1" 196
184 Zach Collaros QB Cincinnati 6' 0" 209
215 Chris Rainey RB Florida 5' 9" 174

They always have us going for a big NT type. Wade has not had one of those in a long time. Cody has done a fairly reasonable job in Wade's system.

My cherry pick:

25 Vontaze Burfict* OLB Arizona State 6' 3" 245
57 Peter Konz OC Wisconsin 6'5" 315
88 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295
120 Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin 6' 4" 315
184 Keenan Robinson ILB Texas 6' 3" 232
215 Trevor Robinson OG Notre Dame 6' 5" 300

OK I have to many OL guys, but the chance to keep Konz and Zeitler together was fun. Konz is a Junior and may not being coming out, he just hurt his ankle and that might just prompt him to want to be paid.

I would be moving Burfict top ILB same with Robinson. I took Randall where I have him, 3rd round not the 6th like Draftsite has him.

I had been thinking perhaps DT or OG-C, now starting to think WR is top need? still time to go however.

Not sure where he's rated, but I really like wright from Baylor if he can be had outside of the 1st. Amazing acceleration. He reminds me of desean Jackson.

Draftsite.com 12.6.11
 

25 Alshon Jeffery* WR South Carolina 6' 3" 234
57 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
88 Antonio Allen S South Carolina 6' 2" 205
120 Danny Trevathan ILB Kentucky 6' 1" 228
152 James Wilson OG Florida 6' 3" 318
184 Brandon Mosley OT Auburn 6' 5" 305
215 Justin Francis DE Rutgers 6' 2" 275

Just a draft, not a sexy one and not a bad one.

My try

25 Vontaze Burfict* ILB Arizona State 6' 3" 245 ILB in our 3-4
57 Kirk Cousins QB Michigan State 6' 3" 202
88 Mike Brewster OC Ohio State 6' 5" 293
120 B.J. Cunningham WR Michigan State 6' 2" 205
152 Brandon Taylor S LSU 6' 0" 191
184 Kheeston Randall DT Texas 6' 5" 295 no way this guy falls this far
215 Ben Burkett OC Northwestern 6' 4" 300

Burfict is a tackling machine. Him next to Cushing will be a studly pair for the future.

A draft heavy on SEC players. :) We always manage to get a V-Tech guy every year, so will need to add that.