2015 Mocks

[Roy P]

I have seen some Mock Drafts where Mariota falls to #20, so for the purpose of "What If" - it would be better for the Texans if both QBs were selected before our pick, pushing down a player who would fit into a need. Unless you are one of those people who would draft Winston or Mariota or hope to trade the pick to someone else who does.

[popanot]

IMO, a franchise QB is the biggest need this team has. Has ever had!! No way they should pass up on Winston or Mariota if one of them is sitting there at #16. Good God we have a Cleveland cast-off, an unproven cast-off, and an unproven 1-yr guy who didn't last a whole game. It would be insane to pass up Winston or MM. And I don't buy into this "BOB's type of guy". What is BOB's type of guy? He has a ~6' noodle-armed QB, a 6'5" strong-armed QB that nobody knows anything about, and someone in between. What is BOBs type of guy? If you have a shot at one of the top QBs in the draft - especially at a value-pick like #16, you fire that bullet, IMO. You don't sit and hope someone (Petty) will be there in RD2/3/4 or that you'll get your guy next year.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by popanot

IMO, a franchise QB is the biggest need this team has. Has ever had!!

I agree with your point. I just don't have faith that either Winston or Mariota are going to be a Franchise QB. And the risk if they are a bust is too great.

[HPF Bob]

I'm not convinced that either Winston or Mariota is the real deal. If they are, there's no way they are lasting to the #16 pick but if they DO happen to get to the #16 pick and we decided we don't want the risk, I'm *immediately* on the phone with Philly, Cleveland and a few others on what they would give for a trade down. SOMEBODY is going to want to jump in and grab them. Then the only question becomes what price is enough for us to pull the trigger on a trade.

I routinely get offers in Fanspeak (again, not exactly real life) to trade down into the 20-23 range for a 1st and a 2nd and I usually accept because Jaelen Strong is usually available (IMO, he's equal to Parker) and then I have the ability to add another very strong player like an ILB, a S, or a C without waiting for the third round.

The results are rather satisfying.

[painekiller]

Walter has his newest mock up with a few of the extra picks in it. But most of the picks have not changed.

16 Houston Texans: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Todd Gurley to the Texans!? Don't they have Arian Foster? Sure, but Foster is usually banged up, and Todd Gurley, despite his injury, would be too good for Houston to pass up at No. 16. The Texans don't have a quarterback, and it doesn't look like they'll be able to get one this offseason - Brian Hoyer doesn't really count - so they better make sure they can run the hell out of the ball. Foster is too injury-prone and unreliable, so having Gurley in the backfield to split the carries would solidify that aspect of Houston's offense.

Gurley obviously couldn't perform at the NFL Combine, but he did check out positively in the medical. He's ahead of schedule, and many of the teams are reportedly pleased with his progress. He could end up being a steal here, as he would be the favorite to go sixth overall to the Jets if he were healthy.

51 Houston Texans: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami

The Texans lost Andre Johnson to the Colts, so they'll need a No. 2 wideout across from DeAndre Hopkins. Phillip Dorsett has moved up an entire round after a tremendous Senior Bowl. He also looked good at the NFL Combine.

82 Houston Texans: Sean Hickey, OT/G, Syracuse

The Texans managed to re-sign Derek Newton, but they still have to find some help at one of the guard positions.

116 Houston Texans: Henry Anderson, DE/DT, Stanford

The Texans never properly replaced Antonio Smith on the defensive line, so here's a potential solution.

152 Houston Texans: Cody Riggs, CB, Notre Dame

The Texans could use some depth at corner, as they were in trouble last year when some of their starters went down.

174 Houston Texans: Xzavier Dixon, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Texans could target an edge rusher early on in the 2015 NFL Draft. If one falls to No. 16, Houston will consider addressing the position. It's more likely, however, that the Texans take one in Rounds 2-5.

[painekiller]

DraftTek.com

16 Jaelen Strong Arizona St WRF 6'4" 205

One last time, goodbye Andre, thank you for the memories! We wish you the best with Luck and hope you finish second in your division the rest of your career, the first spot is ours. Jaelen Strong may not be on Dre's level, but a WR core with Hopkins and Strong out wide with Shorts III in the slot would give the Texans the best group of WRs in team history. With room to develop! At 6'4 and 200+lbs, Jaelen has a 42" vertical, runs a 4.4, over powers defenders on 50/50 balls, maintains body control, and catches with his hands. Not only does Jaelen have good measurables, he shows up in big games when his team needs him most. Mr. Strong sounds very similar to the man he is replacing. The timing of Andre's release could not have occurred at a better time for Houston. ~CME, Texans' Analyst.

51 Denzel Perryman Miami ILB 6'0" 240

Denzel Perryman is a violent football player. He has been one of the NCAA's hardest hitters the last couple years. When Denzel meets ball carriers, they go backwards. Houston has a hole in the middle of their defense that Denzel could fill admirably. Akeem Dent just resigned a two year deal to add depth, but he is not going to scare anyone. On paper Perryman, Cushing, Clowney, and Mercilus form an incredible LB corp. With the recent addition of Wilfork and the potential influence he has on Louis Nix, adding a thumper in the middle next to Cush will solidify Houston's front seven. In year two, Bill O'Brien's finger prints are already deeply rooted into the roster, adding a couple more roll players and the Texans defense would be set for many years. Meanwhile Vrabel gets another tool added to his toolbox. ~CME, Texans' Analyst.

82 David Johnson Northern Iowa RBF 6'4" 250
116 Charles Gaines Louisville CB 5'11" 175
152 Tyler Kroft Rutgers TE 6'6" 240
174 Leterrius Walton Central Michigan DT34 6'5" 319
194 Xavier Williams Northern Iowa DT43 6'3" 309
211 Kenny Bell Nebraska WRF 6'1" 197
216 Ray Drew Georgia DE34 6'4" 276
235 Xzavier Dickson Alabama OLB34 6'3" 265

[HPF Bob]

These drafters must not be Alfred Blue fans. Our star RB is too banged up so let's use our top draft pick on a banged up RB??? Let someone else take that risk. We don't need to. If we *must* draft a RB in the first, trade down and get Gordon.

Unless we go get some good veteran to fill AJ's shoes, then my pick in the first has to be Parker or Strong, hopefully Strong. Jaelen is a similar receiver to AJ in several ways and simply lacks the polish. Those who remember AJ his first few seasons remember the drops and the failures to get open at key moments. Strong will struggle with acceleration, just like AJ did but, otherwise, he's the full package and not a head case like some of the wideouts. He's bigger and faster than Devante Parker, just not as quick off the snap.

Of the guys further down the draft board, my eye is on Antwan Goodley of Baylor. He has kick return experience, lightning fast and a boxer's mentality so despite being 5-10, he's perfect for special teams and sneaking into 4-wide packages when someone tries to cover him with a safety. He'll be the deep threat opponents didn't see coming.

I do want an ILB in the first two rounds and am not totally worried if that player is McKinney, Perryman, Kendricks or Anthony but my reading is that Perryman is the worst of these in coverage.

So, the Draftek guy is much closer to what I want than Walter. I want us to go WR-ILB in the draft. We need to add a center if we don't add a free agent and I'd like to see some D-line and secondary help plus a tight end.

RB is way down my list and so is OT since we just shelled out money for Newton. Had we let Newton walk, I would probably put RT as a second-day priority.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

51 Houston Texans: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami

116 Houston Texans: Henry Anderson, DE/DT, Stanford

I am a huge fan of these 2 players. It would not surprise me if Anderson went in the 2nd round and Dorsett lasted until the 3rd.