1st Round DL

[Roy P]

I've seen some discussions about taking or not taking a DL with our 1st round pick. So much so, I felt it deserved it's own thread.

First up for debate is B.J. Raji as the much needed NT to anchor the DL. While it may be a moot point and he could be drafted before we pick, why not kick this can around? A reason not to could include the fact that Vince Wilfork was not drafted until #21, so perhaps #15 is too high. Also, one could assume that Raji would most likely only be a two down DL that would need to be replaced several times during a game to keep fresh. What is his mind like and can he learn a defensive scheme. The last reason, which would apply to any DL is that we've spent 1st round picks on the DL before.

The reasons to select Raji include the fact that he is a force in the middle. He commands double teams and they still have trouble stopping him from moving the pile back 3 yards in the backfield. Imagine DeMeco being able to roam freely to the RB instead of having to take on RGs. Okoye would also be allowed to use his penetrating ability as the 3-Technique and be disruptive. Peyton Manning would no longer be able to step up in the pocket when Mario Williams comes screaming around his left ear hole. The defense would not have to blitz in order to get pressure on the QB. We might be able to shut down the run against the Titans and Jags without needing 9 in the box. Even if the big fella has to come out on 3rd down, that wouldn't be so bad if it was 3rd and 7 because we were able to stop teams on the 1st two downs. There is no other player who compares to Raji and what he can do on a football field in this draft class.

Exhibit #2 is Peria Jerry. Don't laugh, this guy is very good. The main reason we shouldn't draft him is because Travis Johnson and Amobi Okoye are very similar to him. He's a one-gap penetrator and can play on the offense's side of the ball. However, with Okoye on the roster, it seems a little bit of a missed opportunity. Perhaps we could get someone similar later in the draft, (Sen'Derrick Marks, Ziggy Hood, Alex Magee, or Darryl Richard) if we are simply trying to find another TJ or Okoye backup.

Exhibit #3 is Brian Orakpo/Everette Brown/Aaron Maybin. Yep, I lump them all together because to me they are all the same type of player. The main reason against these guys is that they are small when you consider putting their hand on the ground to play DE for 3 downs. While there are guys like T. Suggs and D. Freeney (not to mention Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay), they are not very effective vs. the run. So, basically you are allocating resources (1st round pick money) to be successful on defensive 3rd and longs - something you should be successful at anyway. I'd rather have a DE who plays against the run such as Robert Ayers and bring in a pass-rush specialist like Stryker Sulak who will be available much later in the draft.

[James]

What about grabbing a pass-rusher in the 1st round and Ron Brace or Ziggy Hood (granted, not likely) in the 2nd round. It's more likely now that Raji will be off the board, in fact, I could see him as high as #8 with the Jags. If thats the scenario then we will have to look away from DT, as there is not another that fits the NT mold in the fifteenth slot. Brace will clog up the run and free up Okoye, Mario, and the (hopefully) elite pass-rusher with his required double teams, I think this is a great 2 round strategy for the Texans to take.

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by James

What about grabbing a pass-rusher in the 1st round and Ron Brace or Ziggy Hood (granted, not likely) in the 2nd round. It's more likely now that Raji will be off the board, in fact, I could see him as high as #8 with the Jags. If thats the scenario then we will have to look away from DT, as there is not another that fits the NT mold in the fifteenth slot. Brace will clog up the run and free up Okoye, Mario, and the (hopefully) elite pass-rusher with his required double teams, I think this is a great 2 round strategy for the Texans to take.

I've said my piece on this subject. I vote no.

[James]

What's your pick at 15 then jppaul? A speedster like Maclin or Harvin for the offense? A tackle? Or the secondary?

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by James

What's your pick at 15 then jppaul? A speedster like Maclin or Harvin for the offense? A tackle? Or the secondary?

I unfortunately have no great alternative. I like Cushing at SLB, Malulaga, althlough that presents some problems, Beanie Wells for a 1-2 punch, though we seem able to find talent later in the draft. I like Alphonso Smith, but its a bit early for him. I would likely go Cushing. I am disappointed that so many juniors elected to stay.

If he had come out Mays, had he fallen would have been my pick. I unfortunately think that we are going to be in a position where DL is going to be the best value. I think either Orakpo or Maybin will likely be on the board, and if I was forced to choose I would say Maybin, though I am a fan of Orakpos too.

At this point I am crossing my fingers for a trade down and a willing partner. Naturally, if we lose D-rob my priorities would shift and I would have to look at Vontae Davis or Alphonso Smith at 15.

[James]

When opportunity presented itself to our secondary (J. Reeves vs Vikings) they made plays . . .I think the front 7 is more crucial to a defense than a secondary, I think the front 7 makes the secondary. Would Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu be as dominant without the pressure up front? The short answer is no. Why wouldn't we push to make our DLine the best on the planet, we already have a couple of pieces (granted Amobe is a work in progress) that can lead our secondary to become average, at the very least, and exceptional if we play our cards right. This is why I advocate a DLine selection, hopefully, Raji, if not, then a speed rusher like Maybin, Brown, or Orakpo . . .if available.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by jppaul

I unfortunately have no great alternative. I like Cushing at SLB, Malulaga, althlough that presents some problems, Beanie Wells for a 1-2 punch, though we seem able to find talent later in the draft. I like Alphonso Smith, but its a bit early for him. I would likely go Cushing. I am disappointed that so many juniors elected to stay.

If he had come out Mays, had he fallen would have been my pick. I unfortunately think that we are going to be in a position where DL is going to be the best value. I think either Orakpo or Maybin will likely be on the board, and if I was forced to choose I would say Maybin, though I am a fan of Orakpos too.

At this point I am crossing my fingers for a trade down and a willing partner. Naturally, if we lose D-rob my priorities would shift and I would have to look at Vontae Davis or Alphonso Smith at 15.

I agree with everything you are typing here and I think it is why DL is in play. There simply are not many other good options/values.

There is no position on offense I would go with in round 1. RB is our only need there, but you don't draft a backup RB in round 1 even if he is going to share time. I think a bigger back can be had round 3 or later.

FS would be a great pick but with Mays gone I don't know if any warrants the #15 pick.

SLB is the most useless and low impact position on a defense. They are 2 down players who make very few plays.

A WLB or a MLB that would move Demeco is slightly more valuable than a sam, but it is a huge price both financially and asset-wise to pay for a 4-3 OLB. The OLB is just not a huge position in the 4-3.

If Dunta is gone than I think it almost automatically becomes a CB unless there is a run of them off the board before us.

DT does not make that much sense to me since we have 3 decent young guys in Okoye, TJ, and Robinson. I understand some picking up a bigger type to clog the middle and would be ok with it, but don't think it is a huge key. Honestly our LBs stayed pretty clean this year. The bigger problem of the DTs was penetration and we are supposed to have that guy already in Okoye. Replacing him won't happen yet because he was a pick of this staff.

That leaves DE. Mario is the only DE we have drafted and he worked out great. But like Roy P, I would rather see a 2 down player from either Buhlman or a low draft pick, and then couple them with a pass rush specialist who is middle round because of his size. I don't think it has to be a 1st round pick.

So who do I want? Honestly I would love to trade down, because I simply don't see the value and need meeting up for us at #15. If we could drop out of the first round altogether or drop down twice even better. If we end up with a pair of 2s and pair of 3s we can get all of the things we are looking for (big RB, FS, DE, Josh Freeman to develop as a QB to replace Sage).

If we get stuck at #15, then BPA out of the FS, DT, DE (or CB if Dunta is gone).

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by James

It's more likely now that Raji will be off the board, in fact, I could see him as high as #8 with the Jags.

I dunno, but I could see him going even higher. And as Roy pointed out,
this guy is the second coming of Vince Wolfork, which makes him even more attractive in the Draft because he could play nose in the 3-4 but also still play ANY inside position in the 4-3 IMO. In other words the guy is not only a fabulous talent but he's also very versatitle so even more teams will be licking their 'chops as they eye him on the Board. I'll even go out on the limb here and predict this is the first player that a team drafts thru a trade, i.e.,
somebody is gonna want him so bad they will be the first team to move up in the Draft by way of a trade. Could it be the Texans ? Probably not, but no way we'd know before it would happen because Smith/Kubiak play their cards so close to the vest.