Let's Talk 2016 Texans Draft

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

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.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

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

[barrett]

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.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

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.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

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.

[HPF Bob]

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.

[nunusguy]

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.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by popanot

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.

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.

[HPF Bob]

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.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

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.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

If we have a chance to get a better QB in free agency, that might be the way to go.

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.

[Nconroe]

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.

[HPF Bob]

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.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by popanot

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.

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!!