Let's Talk 2016 Texans Draft
 

Boy, we sure could use this type of talent at TE.

https://vine.co/v/iMvTpxE00qn

I'd seriously consider burning a #2 on this guy. A #3 for sure. Reminds me a lot of Jordan Reed, but faster. We could certainly use a Jordan Reed on this offense.

I think I'd go heavy offense in 2016. Preferably:

1. Carson Wentz
2. Corey Coleman
3. O.J. Howard (if he comes out and lasts this long)
4. Kenneth Dixon

After RD4 I'd start on the D. LB class is deep so there will probably be someone rated pretty high sitting there in RD5. Someone with some speed would be nice.

Any draft that addresses glaring holes at QB and TE would make me smile. Toss in a safety, an OL, and a pass rusher, and I'm :D.

OK but we may not have a 2nd or third round pick left when and if O'brien/Smith package multiple picks to move up and draft their favored QB
in this Draft. I'm not saying it's probable that the Texans would put together a package like the Redskins did a few back to move up in the Draft and take RG3, but I'm just saying Bob McNair has got to be thinking to himself - "I want a SB ring, but hey I'm not getting any younger here and I still don't see any signs of a franchise QB for my teams roster".

We still have free agents and trades to impact draft order but does look like QB, TE, RB, WR on offense, perhaps Safety on defense might be biggest needs to fill somehow. Should be lots of fun speculating.

I just don't see the Texans selling the farm and moving up high in the draft. However, I could see them moving up into the teens for Cook or Wentz, or, perhaps moving up the 2nd RD for someone like Hackenberg. And actually, I would not be surprised if they sat tight and used #22 on Hackenberg if Cook and Wentz are gone. I'm not advocating Hackenberg at #22 necessarily, but I could understand the logic if they did do that. IMO, this franchise is at the point where you gamble a low #1 if there is a QB there you like or think has the tools you can develop. Waiting until pick #43 and hoping that guy is still there is even a bigger gamble, IMO.

Another in that line of great Penn State quarterbacks since, er, um, Chuck Fusina and the glory days of the USFL.

No way our #1 pick goes down like this if only 1 QB is taken before #22...

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ide-receivers/

If it went down like that, I'd take Stanley over Elliott.

Needs:

1. QB. I’ve understood the reasoning of not taking a QB just to take a QB when they’re not sold on the guy due to the commitment that needs to be made to developing a young QB. However, they’ve now put themselves in the position of having to take a QB whether they’re sold on him or not unless a quality veteran starter becomes available.

2. Offensive playmakers. RB, WR, and TE, not necessarily in that order. 27th in 20+ yd. runs (7), and 20th in 40+ yd. runs (1). Foster will be 30 when next season starts and will be coming off yet another injury. Blue is solid but not special. 25th in 20+ yd. passes (46), and 24th in 40+ yd. passes (8). Hopkins can't do it all himself. Hopefully Strong will build on the flashes he's shown but a wouldn't pass on a potential WR weapon based solely on that. A legitimate receiving threat at TE would be something we haven't seen in a while.

I'd be all over the QB from Memphis if draft went something like this. I think.

Yeah, I'd take Lynch/Wentz/Cook there over anybody. Guess I should have said if the QB's are gone I'd take Stanley over Elliott. I like Elliott and think we need RB, but I don't take one in RD1.

How is Elliott out of the backfield?

O'Brien built a whole offense around Foster last year and showed a great ability to get the most out of an offensive weapon, regardless of position. It is probably one of his best coaching points to date.

Elliott might be great out of the backfield as a Pro. I like him a lot. I just wouldn't burn our #1 pick on him and think we can find a good RB in the later rounds. This is the RB I'm taking if he's available in RD3, maybe sooner...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqPnaMf3h6s

Reminds me a lot of LT or Faulk, and yes, even Foster with his receiving skills. Just love this kid's vision.

EDIT: Here another guy I'd use a later pick on over Elliott at #22. If you're looking for a Foster clone, this might be the guy. His RB teammate, Collins, will likely go before him because Williams was hurt this year, but I think Williams will be a better Pro. Way more dynamic than Collins, IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4TjJEBjYa0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSQBZWUznSI

I just think we used Foster beautifully last year, and we run the arrow route seemingly 25 times a game this year to Grimes/Blue. So while I don't think RBs are that valuable, I think some guys need to be thought of as offensive weapons more than RBs (LT and Faulk like you mentioned, Peak Foster, Forte, etc...). This doesn't mean I would be eager to spend a 1st on a position that you can duplicate 90% of with a mid round pick (or 80% of with a UDFA). But if the multi-purpose version of Todd Gurley is in the draft, I don't run from him at #22 if the draft falls that way.

I would not be upset at all if they took Elliott at #22. IMO, RB is the 2nd highest need on this team. I just think if the draft fell that way (and hypothetically the QBs were gone), I'd take the LT/RT/OL over the RB and gamble that I'd find the RB in the later rounds. And as for RB, I think Foster is gone next year, and despite how well Blue played at the end, I don't think he's the answer. I think we're all in agreement this team needs a serious infusion of talent at at least 3 of the 4 offensive skill positions. Elliott would be nice to have, for sure.

I agree completely with this thinking. It honestly seems like there are 10 guys in the world who can play QB, about 25 who can really rush the passer, and about 200 who can play RB. The Steelers signed a few guys off the street and they were tough last week.

Since 200 guys can run the ball, at RB I can only see paying anything (in $$$ or draft picks) for 3 qualities

(1) Home Run ability. If a guy can break long ones it changes everything. You don't need to perfectly execute a dozen plays in a row to score. This is doubly valuable when you don't have a big time QB converting 3rd downs. The same is true for a WR. Value $$$

(2) A passing game weapon at RB. I don't just mean a guy who catches the ball well. I mean a guy who is a matchup problem and keeps the other team from rushing LBs/Safeties because they are afraid of what he can do out of the backfield. A guy who can split out or go to the slot and actually win 1 on 1s. A guy who picks up the blitz. A guy whose presence on the field gives the defense no indicator because he is equally valuable running and catching (Foster last year for us, healthy Leveon Bell). A complete TE compromises the defense in the same way because he is equally valuable in passing or running situations and gives the defense no pre snap indicator. I wouldn't go TE in the 1st unless he is going to block enough to punish a nickel/dime defense and be a true weapon catching it. Value $$$

(3) Short Yardage ability. Self-explanatory. Value $

If a guy has all 3 qualities and is a monster on regular running plays, I don't mind spending a low 1st. I think the low value of RBs makes guys like this a little undervalued by association. If he doesn't have all 3 I don't even consider spending a 3rd no matter how good a pure runner he is.

CBS Sports.com mocks have the Texans taking a QB at #22 - Cook, per Brugler and Wentz per Rang although QBs tend to move up when they get good workouts.

Since the total value, according to the "NFL Draft Value Charts", of our first 3 picks in this Draft are approximately equivalent to the 10th overall pick in the Draft, so our options are clearly limited, very limited. So if we were to seriously consider moving further up into the first round of the Draft than the 10th pick then we also have to consider including future year picks (including first rounders) and then a team is really into mortgaging their future for a franchise QB. So if we go that route forget about filling other needs like drafting high a stud running back this year. And I don't see any promising options at QB in free agency this year ?
So the Texans are gonna have to do a lot of research and some soul searching in the offseason to set their long-term priorities.

If you draft the right QB, then the mortgage is worth it. How high the team theoretically moves up depends on how comfortable they are with the top 5 (Goff, Lynch, Cook, Wentz, Hack in some order) QB prospects. If they really love just one, then they should consider moving up. If at least 3 or 4 would work, then probably sit and watch most of the first 20 picks.

Unlike stud QBs, stud RBs are found all over. I'd be more concerned about not having the round 2-3 pick available for a TE, but even still, there's bound to be prospects in the mid rounds far better than what is already on the roster.

Can't let pick value dictate your QB needs. This is how the Texans got XSF over a QB.

I'd be willing to offer all of our 2nd-4th round picks through the end of Rick Smith's tenure as GM. It's not like those picks have had any value on his watch.

I clicked the link before reading your next comment, and while watching the video, all I could think about was Marshall Faulk. He appears to have a strong multi purpose set of skills, and we need a pass catching threat on 1st and2nd down in the backfield.

Nice find, thanks for the link.

Unless we really like Cook and Wentz, I would not force a first-round pick on them. Once you do, they are expected to play right away. If we have a chance to get a better QB in free agency, that might be the way to go - no specific name in mind but I'd want to see who's on the market.

I wonder if there are still a bunch of Aggies screaming for the Texans to get Johnny Manziel as they were doing two years ago? At least Clowney still has a future - for now.

I would hate to force a rookie onto the field. That might mean not playing Hoyer.

2016 FA QBs:
Kirk Cousins (Not going anywhere)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Yay, a Texans retread!!)
Sam Bradford (Probably not going anywhere)
Brock Osweiler (Maybe, but I doubt DEN lets him go)
Chase Daniel (Might take a look at him as a bridge QB)
Matt Moore (No thanks)
Tarvaris Jackson (No thanks)
Chad Henne (No thanks)
Matt Schaub (No thanks)
Brandon Weeden (No thanks)
Jimmy Clausen (No thanks)
Colt McCoy (Might take a look at him as a bridge QB)
Matt Hasselbeck (No thanks)
Drew Stanton (No thanks)
Dan Orlovsky (No thanks! Amazing how many ex-Texans are on this list, eh?)
Bruce Gradkowski (No thanks)
Charlie Whitehurst (No thanks)
T.J. Yates (Probably deserves to be re-signed just because)
Matt Cassel (No thanks)
Luke McCown (No thanks)
Scott Tolzien (No thanks)
Michael Vick (No thanks)
Matt Flynn (No thanks)
Kellen Clemens (No thanks)
Josh Freeman (No thanks)

Pretty shabby list, I'd say. My assumption is there will be others scrubs like, Geno, Tyler Bray, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, Logan Thomas, etc, etc, etc... As for veterans, who knows, maybe PManning, RG3, JFF, Butt Fumble become available, but they don't inspire me and would probably just get in the way of moving forward with a rookie. I think I'd rather go Yates, Savage, maybe take a look someone like Daniels/McCoy over Yates, and go rookie. This division is bad enough to where you might be able to get by starting a rookie as long he's not a turnover machine.

Weeden did OK this year with cowgirls and Texans. Why are you not taking a closer look.

There are a few teams with two qb , you could perhaps trade for one. Like maybe McGarron or RG3?

For now I'd stand pat and see how things go develop.

I would prefer Weeden over Yates, for 2 reasons, one he is a better arm talent than TJ, and two, TJ will not be able able to practice until late training camp or later. TJ had knee surgery.

Give me Weeden, Savage and a rookie and I will be happy. Let Hoyer go, please!!

First, thanks for the list. I was impressed with Hasselbeck considering the bad cast he played around and the beating he was taking. He might be the perfect guy to mentor Mr. High Draft Choice we get in the first or second. I still have warm fuzzies about RG3 if he passes the physical and I don't doubt the Redskins will release him sometime this spring so we won't be paying that monster contract. Sign him to an incentive-heavy contract and feed him more of Mama's Campbell Soup and Subway sandwiches.

Anyway, I'm not married to any particular strategy. The door is wide open.

I only sign Yates if the Bengals are on the schedule.

I see no reason to go with Weeden.

Savage should be on the roster entering training camp.

Brian Hoyer better not even see the practice field for us next year.

I'd bring back Fitzpatrick over every QB on that list.

I wouldn't want to touch a guy like RG3 because he is young enough and high ceiling enough to confuse long term plans. After 2 years with no attempt at a QB solution it is not time for a reclamation project. Not to mention the best case scenario is he wins the job and plays a dozen games a year due to injury.

Savage and a rookie from the first 2 rounds of the draft with a 3rd guy who has familiarity with our offense.

I only say sign Yates because he deserves to be here for camp at least since he blew out a knee for us (sentimental, I know). I'd never want to go a full season with him or any of the FA's on that list for that matter. I'd be OK giving RG3 a shot if there is absolutely no other option. I agree with barrett that him or any other young FA (Geno, etc.) would just get in the way of a rookie/long-term plan.

The online gambling company Bovada set odds for Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s impending free agency on Wednesday, picking the Houston Texans as the most likely destination for the former No. 2 pick.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/13/rob...ee-agency-odds
****
FWIW here's one book that says best odds for RG3's next team is the Texans.
Intriguing to say the least. The guy can throw the ball a mile, so O'brien would like that part of his game.

If RG3 can get his ego in check and put in the work to learn and improve, I would not be opposed to giving him a shot. However, if we draft a young QB high, I don't think signing RG3 would be a good move.

Agree, I would think RG3 was a long shot to reach Texans, but who knows. I liked him a lot when he came out of Baylor.

The hype machine is in full swing for the guy I wanted (Wentz). Some say he might be the 1rst QB off the board now. The one guy now who I think will there when we draft is Cook. :( :o

Options might be take a chance on Cook and hope like hell he isn't a complete prima donna idiot or take a pass in RD1 and hope Hack (or somebody!) is there in RD2. Ugh...

EDIT: Pauline later added this tweet...

John Harris - 30 Senior Bowl players to watch for Texans fans:

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/ar...0-5410c32db059

I'm in agreement with most of what I have read here. If I became the GM for the Texans and wanted to hire some advisors, I would have to take a serious look at some of the people who post here. From my perspective, the 2 QBs who I would move up to #10 to draft are Goff or Wentz. However, it seems plausible that neither will be available. Lynch reminds me of the guy we have on the roster already, Savage. Cook is a hothead that likes himself too much. Not sure why he didn't want to play in Mobile, but he comes off as the kind of kid to be the next Ryan Leaf. So, the guy I want to draft is Dak Prescott. The question becomes when do I pull the trigger. At #22, I want the biggest impact player at a position of need. That points me to TE Hunter Henry. This Offense needs a TE in the mold of Rob Gronkowski, and since that is nearly impossible to find, you get the closest facsimile. In the 2nd round, I take a good hard look at RB Kenneth Dixon and hope Prescott is still available when I pick in the 3rd round. I'm not comparing Dixon to LT or Marshall Faulk, but to me he is a Matt Forte clone. You could have your every-down RB, or wait and select a 3rd down back like Kenyan Drake (who improves the Special Teams) or Aaron Green and then sign a UDFA like Auburn RB Peyton Barber or USC RB Tre Madden to be the short-yardage guy. I'm pleased with the development of Jaelen Strong, but wouldn't be opposed to adding another WR like Mich St Aaron Burbridge or SE Missouri St Paul McRoberts. Depending on what is available, I might draft 2 QBs if Jacoby Brisset of NC St was still there in the 6th round just to stash on the Practice Squad.

The QB position must be addressed. Hoyer must go and Savage must stay. If I don't trade up for Goff/Wentz, I inquire about the packages needed to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo of the Patriots or Ryan Nassib of the Giants. If those prices are too high, I sign Drew Stanton. He is serviceable and is the bridge until Prescott is ready and insurance if Savage is not.