2015 Mocks

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

I would not bring back Cushing (even though he's one of my all time favorites), but I had not heard it was likely the Texans wouldn't bring him back.

My understanding of the cap hit on Cushing is that he will cost more to cut than to keep this year, from a football move cutting Cushing makes sense, from a cap move it doesn't. I could be wrong on the cap hit.

No matter Cushing health, the team needs to draft another ILB in the top three rounds.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

My understanding of the cap hit on Cushing is that he will cost more to cut than to keep this year, from a football move cutting Cushing makes sense, from a cap move it doesn't. I could be wrong on the cap hit.

Yeah, Cushing isn't really the one to cut. You could try to ask him to restructure his base, which I think is $4 million in 2015, but there are many other spots on the roster more easily addressed financially than Cushing this season. He signed like a 6-yr extension two years ago, so he's probably here not just for 2015 but for 2016 as well.

[painekiller]

a new drafttek mock 2.18.15

16 Houston Malcom Brown Texas DT34 6'4" 320

The Texans are not influenced by opinions when considering in-state selections; the correlation between talent, value, and need supercedes emotion. Texans' draft decisions are based on what's best for the team, and Big Malcolm's versatility makes this pick intriguing. Houston already has a phenom unleashing havoc on opposing QBs and RBs; it's time to get JJ a dance partner. The "next-best thing" to having one dominant, versatile, and respectful defensive lineman . . . is having two! Scheme-versatile players increase play call flexibility and make the defense more unpredictable. Opponents must prepare for multiple alignments instead of just one. Malcom is not going to come in and produce JJ Watt numbers during his rookie season, although he is a plug-and-play rookie with the versatility to have a special career. ~CME, Texans Analyst

51 Houston Charles Gaines Louisville CB 5'11" 175

Upcoming roster moves will play a significant role in determining priority levels assigned to position groups as the Texans construct their draft board. Uncertainty surrounding the CB position makes one thing certain; the Texans must address the position before the 2015 season. Even if Kareem is re-signed to a long-term deal, J Joe has a large cap figure and is not getting any younger. The earlier a replacement is identified, the better. Charles Gaines has a reputation for making "Deion-like business decisions" when it comes to tackling, but his coverage skills are in-line with the best CBs in this draft. Gaines is a former WR who understands route concepts and would fit nicely into the Texans' nickel CB role. In addition to his defensive prowess, Gaines provides an immediate boost to the return game. ~CME, Texans Analyst

82 Houston Tony Lippett Michigan State WRF 6'3" 190
113 Houston Ameer Abdullah Nebraska RBC 5'9" 194
144 Houston Tyler Kroft Rutgers TE 6'6" 240
179 Houston Sean Mannion Oregon St QB 6'4" 220
210 Houston Junior Sylvestre Toledo ILB 6'0" 222

Not sure I agree with this one, though another DT could give this team a jumbo package it currently does not possess, and if Nix comes back healthy, it gives the team the potential to have a formidable rotation at the NT. As for the CB, not sure BOB will go for a CB who shy's away from tackling.

[HPF Bob]

One thing you have to agree is that the Texans have never been into drafting local fan favorites from college. Even Case Keenum was a UDFA, not a draft choice. We passed on big-name Aggies and Longhorns several times over the years.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

One thing you have to agree is that the Texans have never been into drafting local fan favorites from college. Even Case Keenum was a UDFA, not a draft choice. We passed on big-name Aggies and Longhorns several times over the years.

In 2003 the Texans took Chance Pearce OC Texas A&M
In 2004 they took Sloan Thomas WR Texas
BTW Casserly's drafts really sucked
In 2007 Kasey Studdard OG Texas
In 2008 Frank Okam DT Texas
In 2009 James Casey TE Rice
In 2011 Cheta Ozougwu DE Rice
In 2012 Randy Bullock K Texas A&M

So not many local kids, and sadly even less memorable local kids.

This was more interesting to me:

Position Picks 1st Round
Quarterback 6 1
Running Back 7 0
Fullback 1 0
Wide Receiver 9 2
Tight End 6 0
Offensive Tackle 7 1
Offensive Guard 6 0
Center 4 0
Defensive End 7 3
Defensive Tackle 8 2
Linebacker 10 2
Cornerback 11 2
Safety 9 0
Kicker 1 0
Punter 0 0

Very little offense has been drafted in the 1st by this team 4/9 (O/D)

Edit note *** Sorry this is hard to read, it is all lined up until I hit save.

[HPF Bob]

I think those were all last-day choices though. Clearly "We have to get to Peyton Manning" has been the draft's overall meme all these years.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I think those were all last-day choices though. Clearly "We have to get to Peyton Manning" has been the draft's overall meme all these years.

Yes to both points. And I agree with general premise that the team has not used local talent as a bump up the board.

I think we can name a view guys from the big state schools that many fans wanted the team to draft, and none where picked.

[painekiller]

DraftSite.com has this 7 round mock.

16 Malcom Brown DT Texas 6' 3" 325
51 Jalen Collins* CB LSU 6' 0" 195
82 Rob Havenstein OT Wisconsin 6' 7" 330
113 Deontay Greenberry* WR Houston 6' 2" 200
144 Arie Kouandijo OG Alabama 6' 5" 320
179 Shaquille Riddick OLB West Virginia 6' 5" 245
210 Xzavier Dickson ILB Alabama 6' 2" 265

The teams FA loses and signing will have an impact on this mock.

My take:
16 Melvin Gordon* RB Wisconsin 6' 1" 205
51 Alex Carter* CB Stanford 6' 0" 195
82 Clive Walford TE Miami 6' 4" 255
113 Donovan Smith* OT Penn State 6' 6" 340
144 Mike Hull ILB Penn State 6' 0" 230
179 Adrian Amos S Penn State 6' 0" 215
210 Darren Waller WR Georgia Tech 6' 6" 240

Why not a Penn St heavy draft? I am kidding about that, but the position groups might be close, and I would not be shocked if they drafted 2 TEs. I am interested in getting faster on offense, thus Gordon the kid can fly. I am not feeling any of the QBs projected to be available to them.Would not be upset if they signed Jerry Lovelocke QB Prairie View A&M as an UDFA.