McShay's Mock Draft
 

McShay's Mock Draft has us taking:

15. Houston Texans (8-8): Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Cushing is a gifted athlete with a reckless approach. He flies around looking to make the big hit, and he also provides a lot of versatility in the passing game. He could eventually develop into an upgrade over Zac Diles at SAM linebacker, and initially he could help boost a pass rush that ranked 27th in the league last season with 25 sacks.

That's an idea I had seen tossed around a bit by Roy and Barrett. As I have already said I am for it.

46. William Moore S Missouri

That would be a pretty good draft IMO. You just hope that Moore reverts back to his Junior level of play instead of his senior level of play.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...odd&id=3878507

You can only access if you are an insider.

everybody is down on Moore but I would be extatic with this draft scneario. Think our D would be receving an instant upgrade. This league is now predicated on playmaker athletes on defense which both of these players are.

Moore in round 1 - boo!
Moore in round 2 - yay!

Watching how the Cardinals used Adrian Wilson in the Superbowl had me thinking who the Texans had that they could use in the same way. No one comes to mind, but maybe Moore could be that guy, a bigger safety that can play closer to the line of scrimmage.

Depending on who else is there, I would be fine with Cushing and if the draft fell this way we would at least be adding two nice pieces to the defense.

My opinion of Moore has gone from a guy I thought could be a ballhawk in coverage to more of the same that we already have. Good in run support, not so good in coverage. I'd be happy to have him especially in the second. There's a reason he was so highly rated at one time.

I was one of the first to beat the drum for Moore over a year ago, but I now want nothing to do with him, not even in the 3rd. I cannot get a read on the kid and I am worried it's not just the injuries that have him off this season. And I am not willing to risk a pick on this big of falloff

I agree with this. Not even in the third. I would be unhappy with Cushing as well. I would rather we go after safer picks even if they are not neccesarilly our greatest need. For example I would take Alex Mack or LeSean McCoy over Cushing.

I like Alex Mack but not a chance that I take him over Cushing, and certainly not McCoy.

I wouldnt. In fact I would take any of

LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Alex Mack, C, California
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Peria Jerry DT 6-2, 290 Mississippi
Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Alphonso Smith CB, Wake Forest

over Cushing.

Yeah, we are on different pages.

When I watched USC Cushing never stood out to me. Every player I listed did impress at some point. I jsut dont see the fascination with this guy. Not to mention steroid allegations that WILL come up. He jsut isnt worth the 15 pick IMO.

For those out there that say hes versitale. Dont give me this bull about him being able to play DE end for us either. Just because he played a little DE in college doesnt mean hell be able to do it in the NFL. Look up his stats while he played DE. Not very impressive at all. He is overrated because he played on a great defense. Just my opinion.

But you did endorse James Laurinaitis ?
Sorry to offend the PC posters among us, but because they are both white I tend to lump them in together .i.e., no soul and dubious quick-twitch ?
And Laurinaitis is also listed as primarily an IL while Cushing can play the middle or a 4-3 WIL or SAM ( allegedly).
Compare the 2 ?

I agree with Mussop.

Thats fine he stood out to me pretty clearly, actually seems pretty dynamic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJt9hrRbMg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH29N...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cur4TwJcTaI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_vtD...eature=related

THis is what we need on this team, certainly more than Knowshon Moreno, LaSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, or Brandon Pettigrew. I like all those players, but not for us in the first round at 15.

I wasnt really endorsing Laurinitus, more like throwing his name out there because he is highly rated, (could) play a position of need and I hadnt heard anyone mention his name as a possibility. I believe there are alot posters here that know there stuff and wanted to hear thier thoughts about him as a potential prospect.

However if it came down between the 2 and I had to pick 1 it would be Lauren. I will gladly explain why after i get back if you are interested.

If that impresses you then check tis out. Jarron Gilbert Hes 6'5" 280

I really dont want any of them at 15. I want a trade down. 15 Is to high for a guy with as many ? marks as Cushing. Like this -

Notes:
Could project inside or outside in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme...Was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school...Only started 16 games his first three years at Southern Cal...Missed nearly half of his freshman season with a shoulder injury and was held out of some of the following seasons spring drills while recuperating...Sat out most of spring practice in 2007 with a strained hamstring then had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee...Also missed extensive action during the 2007 season with an ankle injury...Broke a bone in his right hand in 2008 and played with a cast but didn't miss any games...Has played defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker for the Trojans...Manufactured athlete who should test well but isn't that impressive on film and often looks like a defensive end in a linebacker's body...Is overrated as a pro prospect but has the talent to start at the next level if he can somehow find a way to stay healthy.

and this LINK

and this - Career Statistics
Year GP TKL TFL SK PBU INT
Totls 44 178 27.0 8.5 12 1 Cushing

Totls 51 375 24.5 13.0 7 9 Laurinitus

1 Interception in 4 years?????? 8.5 Sacks in 4 years???????? Sorry this guy isnt worth the 15th pick. No highlights are going to make me think any different.

You can make stats say anything. HOw about 13.5 tfl in one year? As far as notes:


Overall Football Traits
Production 3
2005: Despite missing half the season with an injury, (See durability) appeared in eight games (four starts) recording 23 total tackles. 2006: Started all 13 games recording 57 tackles and a team-best 13.5 tackles-for-loss. 2007: Appeared in 10 games (eight starts) recording 25 total tackles including 2 ½ for losses.
Height-Weight-Speed 1
Possesses a very good combination of height, bulk, and overall speed
Durability 4
Durability is a concern, as he missed nearly half the 2005 season with a shoulder injury. Also missed three games in 2007 due to a sprained ankle
Character 0 N/A

Outside Linebacker specific Traits
Instincts/Recognition 1
Shows good instincts. Seems to play a step ahead of everyone else, as he locates and gets to it extremely fast. Recognizes play action quickly and does a nice job of staying home against misdirection
Pursuit/Point of Attack 2
Plays at the Sam linebacker position and is very stout when lined up over tight ends. Down-hill and aggressive player. Is loose in the hips and changes directions extremely well. Displays sideline-to-sideline range and does a good job of avoiding blocks without taking himself out of the play when in pursuit. Needs to improve ability to shed blocks quickly
Tackling 2
An impact tackler. Strong hands help him wrap up and bring down carriers. Also does a solid job of breaking down and making open field tackles
Pass Coverage 2
Shows outstanding awareness in coverage and does a sound job of looking up receivers. Reads the quarterback's eyes well and makes quick break on the ball. Has some stiffness in his hips and will be limited in certain man-to-man matchups, as a result. But when in position he displays good overall ball skills making the play given the opportunity. (see California 2007 1st quarter)
Pass Rusher 2
Shows quickness and power off the edge along with ability to close quickly. Also times stunts through the A and B gaps well. By comparison, in this rating Brian Orakpo scored a 2 also as a passrusher, while fellow Projected OLB Larry English is rated as a 3.

Sounds like we are talking about two very different individuals, does it not?

Not really! I just think you are looking at the positives and Im looking at the negatives. With the possible steriod allegations and only one year of real production, he just isnt worth the 15th pick IMO. His best year he had
GP TKL TFL SK PBU INT
2008 13 73 10.5 3.0 6 1

Thats just not good enough for me. I want an impact player at 15 or a trade down.

I think it was Zierlein who said a scout called Cushing the next Barbie Caprenter...in other words a guy who lifted weights to look at himself in the mirror as opposed to making himself a better football player. I have no idea how true that is, but the injury history has kinda lessened my enthusiasm.

I disagree, from what I have seen he plays angry and I like that and I think we need that. Certainly, he doesn't remind of Bobby Carpenter.

Yeah, my point is that if you only focus on the positive or the negative, you come out with two very different perspectives on the same matter.

It may be a moot point anyway, TexansChick at chron.com points out that last year staff suggested that CB is a deep position and noted how we went there in the middle rounds. It is just one example and I would like more to delineate a trend, but it is interesting.

http://blogs.chron.com/texanschick/

Rick Smith suggested that Linebacker and Safety are deep positions, and so she suggests that we may go there after the first. If this were true then it would leave the D-line and maybe CB as the positions we will address in the first round.

If that is the case then you are looking at Orakpo, Brown, possibly Michael Johnson after he blows up the 40 in the combine, or Maybin on the DE side, Jerry on the DL side since Raji will likely be gone, and Vontae Davis, Alphonso Smith and D.J. Moore on the CB side.

Supposing that we keep Dunta, I don't think we go to the CB well. D-line then becomes the odds on favorite. Since Raji will likely be gone then Jerry becomes the go to. He is more of a one gap penetrator, and that we already have in Okoye. But considering that is the stated defensive theme of this coordinator. So maybe but I don't think so.

That leaves DE, and at that point any of Orakpo, Brown, Johnson, and Maybin could be available.

Out of those, Johnson is the most athletic with the best speed and alot of upside, Maybin has perhaps the most upside as a pass rusher, through Brown, is up there too.

Orakpo is perhaps the most complete 4-3 end, has a good first step, good production, and has improved in run stopping. Brown has all the physical tools but I always have questions about FSU d lineman, plus he is supposedly on the rise. On certain charts, Brown and Maybin will be gone by the time we draft.

That leaves Orakpo and Johnson. Orakpo is the only one with value at 15. So Orakpo or trade down. I vote trade down, and if they are still in love with a DE, Orakpo will likely be gone if they trade down more than a couple of picks.

A prime trade down target is Detroit, who could do a Clevand kinda of draft day move. Detroit might trade down thier first pick if they have a chance but they might not. You can kinda sense that out this they want a QB and a LT. LT would likely be the first pick as the top 4 likely won't make it out of the top 15.

So they take Andre Smith, Jason Smith, Michael Oher or Eugene Monroe with the first pick, they will probably still have a shot at one of teh top two QBs if they trade up from 20. There are three QB hungry teams at 17, 18, and 19 with the Jets, Bucs, and Bears. So they will have to trade up with us or the Chargers and the Chargers may not make a move if Orakpo or one of the other top OLB/DE's is on the board, so that leaves us, and we have some leverage there.

Which equates to about a 3rd. So provided that happens we are then in possession of the # 20 pick and an additional third at the top of the round.

That could be neat, you could go Cushing, Kruger, Rashad Johnson, etc.

Sorry thats a long post, got a little carried away.

The Lions have extra picks from Dallas in the Roy Williams trade. I don't know if that makes a trade more likely or less likely but if the Texans trade down to #33, they could add another 2nd or 3rd which could bring them another high pick or perhaps stockpile a pick for next year.

Guy from a Draft web-site said on 1560 radio here in Houston last night that he's got Everette Brown going #3 overall and Orakpo is falling because teams have reservations about his first step ? Not that quick.
Also said that he didn't think there was a QB (out of the senior class) going in the first 3 rounds ? Said the strongest position without question was offensive tackle with maybe 4 guys going in the top 10. But the guy said this is really a very weak Draft. OK, we knew all of that already.

That's fine. I haven't watched him enough to really have an opinion. I might even be remembering the the carpenter comment wrong...it could have been someone else. I became intrigued with him from the senior bowl, but like any potential draft pick, if you look hard enough you will find something to not like. Game film should be the biggest factor, and I don't have any.

I think the current favorite is Maybin. Michael Johnson is a joke. E. Brown is too good to last. Personally, I'd rather have Paul Kruger than Orakpo if I'm just looking for a "complete" 4-3 end. I'm banking that Maybin's size (242lbs) makes him attractive to Coach Kollar.

Most of your post I agree with, but Michael Johnson is the best DE in this draft imo.

This is my hope. Like I have said many times, there isnt much difference in the talent in this draft from around 15 to 65. That will make it hard to trade down. If we get an offer like this I sure hope we do it. I want as many picks in the top 4 rounds as possible.

I would think that his size would scare Kollar. From what I have heard (Rob Rang) the biggest worry about him is that he wont be able to add much weight.

Yeah, as some may believe that to be (the 15 to 65 propisition), not saying whether I agree or disagree, there are two clearcut top QBs and if one is gone by the first 15, then the other will likely be gone after the QB hungry gauntlet of Bucs, Bears, and Bears. Scarcity often moves a position into the premium, like we did last year with a OT being selected every 4 picks.

No big deal PB, no snarkiness intended. There is some game film out there on you tube though. Check out my earlier post I linked some highlights.

An interesting opinion, but one that might hold water. I have been touting MJ for the past year, IMO, he does a Freeney after the 40 at the combine. I think he is money provided he can focus.

At 6'5" & 'bout 265, Kruger along with Robert Ayers looks to be one of the few DE prospects who is a 3-down player at DE in the NFL. But that only assumes he's really quick enough, athletic enough to be a bona fide edge-rusher and not just another version of a current Texan, the one-dimentional Anthony Weaver. And though LSU Tyson Jackson at 290 obviously has excellent size, he also appears to be primarily a run-stopper.
I'd rather use a pick, even one as high as a late first-rounder, on a situational player than on just another DE who can't significantly upgrade our pass rush.
BTW, here's an article about Krueger I ran across. Sounds like he had a near-fatal run-in with a Mex gang in Utah awhile back:
***
"Nine months later, in a Marriott hotel room in Salt Lake City, Kruger was emotionless as he talked about that January night. The Utah defensive end was almost numb to the story, having rehashed it countless times for the people who asked to see the scars that zigzag across his torso.

The 15 to 20 Latino gang members who jumped Kruger as he was leaving a party also drove a screwdriver through the back of his teammate, Greg Newman, and used brass knuckles to break the nose and shatter the cheekbone of his younger brother, Dave.

It was Kruger, though, who awoke the following morning in a Utah hospital with life-threatening injuries.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...yhoo&type=lgns

I certainly got no problem with the guy we took in the 2003 Draft, Andre Johnson. But if anybody remembers the Texans in that Draft, one of the other players they were seriously considering besides AJ with their #3 overall was pass-rusher supreme AZ DE Terrel Suggs. Anyway, one of the primary reasons the Texans ceased considering Suggs was his 40 time.
I remember everybody including McNair himself going out to AZ to time Suggs who ran and then reran the 40 on another day but still couldn't crack 4.7. Ever since then I've learned not to place too much emphasis on 40 times for pass-rushing prospects, as Suggs has become one of the better edge-rushers in the NFL since being drafted.
While its a more important consideration for some positions like corners, receivers, and backs, the absense of a fast 40 time isn't a showstopper for a passrusher IMO.

Sure, but the presence of a good one will skyrocket a prospect. Remember Freeney?

Aaron Schobel played for Kollar in Buffalo at 6'4" 243lbs. He has been able to generate double digit sacks with a small DE before, so I wouldn't think he'd be too afraid of bringing Maybin on board.

No way is he the best DE in the draft. I'll grant you that his height and speed makes him intriguing, but he doesn't play with any fire whatsoever. He's ineffective against the run, almost seeming like he's not interested. He gets blocked by TEs, which is pretty pathetic considering most college TEs aren't talented in blocking.

He may go to Indy and blow people away with times, but this guy is all potential and very little production. While that was a signature line complaining about Mario, it is more appropriate here. Mario got double teamed a lot his Senior year, where I saw MJ getting single blocked in his games.

Currently, Johnson is like Roger Moore as more and more people are jumping off his bandwagon. NFL Draft Scout has him as a 2nd round pick at this point being passed by Robert Ayers. Again, I haven't talked to him to determine his motivation and passion for the game, but from what I've seen in games, it just isn't there.

That's like saying Sean Payton prefers short QBs because he did well with Drew Brees. The two are unconnected. I am sure Kollar liked Schobel for a number of reasons, none of which were he was small. If Maybin (or any DE) gets the recommendation from Kollar, it won't be because they were small.

Bad analogy. He's looking for high motor, quickness, and intensity... That's according to Kollar himself. And, his history shows a willingness to use undersized guys and very few examples of bigger DLmen. Nobody was arguing that they like him because he's small. However, he may like his athleticism and his size won't concern him.

You just just described Everette Brown.

You are comparing apples to oranges and putting them in my mouth. How's that for mixed metaphors?

Anyway, let me try to be clearer in my message. It's obvious you aren't following what I am trying to say.

It is my belief, on Feb 7, 2009, that Everette Brown will be off the board when we pick at #15. I also think that getting a pass-rushing DE to play opposite of Mario is a priority for this team and could be addressed with our first round pick.

Of the players who will be available when we pick, I think Aaron Maybin would offer the best pass rushing ability. He's also an underclassman, so like Okoye, there seems to be room for even more improvement. So, while other teams may take a pass on Maybin and allow him to slip because of his size, Kollar may not be as hesitant. Because he has had success with undersized DEs in the past, he may be more willing to bring Maybin on board than other teams picking ahead of us. In fact, like last year, the Texans may be able to trade down and still be able to get the guy that they want.

If you want to see how I feel, please refer to the "My Guys" thread, where I currently have E. Brown as the #2 player on my board. For the purpose of this thread, I was saying the Texans may be most likely targeting Maybin. That is based upon what I see as need, history, and the decision makers.

It was not my intention to say that Kollar wants a 240lbs DE any more than the Steelers wanted a 5' 11" 192lbs WR. When the Steelers drafted Santonio Holmes, Big Ben wanted a "big" target on his team. They passed on Chad Jackson and drafted Holmes because they felt he was a better player. Jackson is 6'1" 215lbs but the Steelers' front office had a good experience with Hines Ward who is barely 6' 0" so they did not get too concerned about the height requirement. Therefore, I project that the Texans will be more likely to draft Maybin than Michael Johnson (who I think will also be available) when we pick.