7 Round Mock

[painekiller]

After rewatching the Senior Bowl, i have changed my mind. What if we had a Dwight Freeney type DE to pair with Mario?

#20 Brandon Graham DE 6'2" 270 Michigan
#50 Devin McCourty CB 5'11" 190 Rutgers blocked 7 kicks in his career
#82 Lamarr Houston DT 6'2" 300 Texas
119 Ben Tate RB 5'11" 211 Auburn
152 Rodger Saffold OT 6'5" 305 Indiana
190 Cam Thomas DT 6'3" 330 North Carolina
200 Andre Anderson RB 6'0" 212 Tulane
231 Klint Kubiak S 6'0" 212 Colorado State

My future DL is Mario, Thomas, Houston, Graham
McCourty is solid with the play in front of him, but gives up the long ball to often. High Risk/Reward guy
Houston, almost unblockable high motor guy
Tate all around RB
Saffold LG prospect
Thomas one of Roy's guys
Anderson carried his college team
Kubiak, momma told husband to draft him.

[nunusguy]

OK what are we looking at here as our most pressing needs ? CB,C/G,RB and perhaps DT & safety but to a lesser degree. Given the crop of FAs becoming available in March, would the Texans be realistic to expect they could fill one of those needs for the upcoming campaign in FA and thereby give themselves more flexibility in the Draft ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

OK what are we looking at here as our most pressing needs ? CB,C/G,RB and perhaps DT & safety but to a lesser degree. Given the crop of FAs becoming available in March, would the Texans be realistic to expect they could fill one of those needs for the upcoming campaign in FA and thereby give themselves more flexibility in the Draft ?

OG/C can be filled with Casey Wiegmann and/or Ben Hamilton. They both started for Rick Dennison in Denver. Both are more of the undersized guys preferred by Alex Gibbs' influenced offenses.

Signing one of these guys would allow you to draft a development type guy later in the draft, guys like Adam Ulatoski of Texas.

At Safety you might pursue a Darren Sharper, other wise the FA DBs are very thin. As are the FA RBs.

Currently this is one of the worse years ever for FAs.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

CB,C/G,RB and perhaps DT & safety but to a lesser degree. Given the crop of FAs becoming available in March, would the Texans be realistic to expect they could fill one of those needs for the upcoming campaign in FA and thereby give themselves more flexibility in the Draft ?

CB Leigh Bodden or DeShea Townsend to replace Dunta Robinson.

DT Fred Robbins

FS Jared Page (KC rejects might find a home with Lil' Coach Gibbs)

RB Larry Johnson (See what Ced Benson did after we passed on him)

[painekiller]

#20 Taylor Mays S 6'4" 225 USC
#51 Mike Johnson OG 6'6" 305 Alabama
#82 Brandon Ghee CB/FS 6'1" 190 Wake Forest
119 LeGarrette Blount RB 6'2" 240 Oregon
152 Myron Lewis CB/FS 6'2" 200 Vanderbilt
190 Cam Thomas DT 6'3" 330 North Carolina
200 Jeff Byers OG/OC 6'3" 290 USC
231 Chris Cook CB/FS 6'2" 210 Virginia

Senior Bowl Friendly options

I wanted a 2nd RB and thought about Keith Toston RB 6'1" 210 Oklahoma State in the 7th. This mock falls funny and I wish I had a few more picks in the 2nd 3rd round area.

[Nconroe]

Just questioning Taylor Mays, he didn't seem to produce well this past year. Seems I saw him beaten in coverage quite a bit.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Just questioning Taylor Mays, he didn't seem to produce well this past year. Seems I saw him beaten in coverage quite a bit.

I agree with you, but at the Senior Bowl he was interviewed and implied he had been coached to make the big hit, not to look for the ball. He made a nice INT at the Senior Bowl that was a possible game changer.

The kid has natural skill and appeared to be willing to listen to a coach. So if the team interviews him and decides he is the pick I am not screaming like I did during last years draft (they were right and I was wrong BTW).

I do not get to interview these kids, so I am just throwing out new ideas.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Just questioning Taylor Mays, he didn't seem to produce well this past year. Seems I saw him beaten in coverage quite a bit.

He blew up the combine, so how much do we put stock in the kid starting mailing it in when USC started to flounder, how much was coaching/scheme, and how much was playing not to get hurt. As much as I don't like to see guys who mail it in, I can understand it. Had he come last season he would have been a top 15 pick. Now he has lost the use of the money he would have had already and dropped a couple of million in overall contract amount.

When will guys projected in the 1st round learn to come out. Money now is worth more than money later.

[Blitzwood]

Since Draftsite is new and much improved and the combine is over...

1. Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida St
2. Tyson Alualu, DT, Cal
3. Dorin Dickerson, TE/RB, Pitt
4. Eric Olsen, OG/C, Notre Dame
5. Rashawn Jackson, FB/RB, Virginia
6. Alterraun Verner, CB/FS, Iowa
6. Ryan Stamper, OLB, Florida
7. Corey Peters, DT, Kentucky

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

Since Draftsite is new and much improved and the combine is over...

1. Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida St
2. Tyson Alualu, DT, Cal
3. Dorin Dickerson, TE/RB, Pitt
4. Eric Olsen, OG/C, Notre Dame
5. Rashawn Jackson, FB/RB, Virginia
6. Alterraun Verner, CB/FS, Iowa
6. Ryan Stamper, OLB, Florida
7. Corey Peters, DT, Kentucky

Not a Cherry Pick, but going with my draftboard....

1.DT Dan Williams 6'3" 327 Tennessee
2.LB Sean Weatherspoon 6'1" 240 Missouri
3.RB Ben Tate 5'11" 218 Auburn
4.LG Rodger Saffold 6'5" 306 Indiana
5.RG Marshall Newhouse 6'3" 326 TCU
6.FS Myron Lewis 6'2" 205 Vanderbilt
6.CB Alterraun Verner 5'10" 185 UCLA
7.DT Jay Ross 6'3" 317 East Carolina

Yeah, I'd be pretty happy with that draft.

[painekiller]

Post Combine, and today I was packing for a move and the TV was on NFLn, I think I have seen every Tebow/Mays/Suh/Weatherspoon highlight there is.

So here is my take, and I am going to pass guys I think will be gone, and grab guys where I think they are going, so no Weatherspoon at 51.

20 Ryan Mathews* RB Fresno State
51 Brandon Ghee CB Wake Forest
82 Rodger Saffold OT Indiana
119 Dekoda Watson OLB Florida State
152 Brian Jackson CB Oklahoma
190 Eric Decker WR Minnesota
200 Jeff Byers OG USC
231 Justin Woodall S Alabama

[NBT]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I wanted a 2nd RB and thought about Keith Toston RB 6'1" 210 Oklahoma State in the 7th. This mock falls funny and I wish I had a few more picks in the 2nd 3rd round area.

Seems like we say that every year. That's why we want to trade down, or out, of the first round for some more picks all the time.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

Seems like we say that every year. That's why we want to trade down, or out, of the first round for some more picks all the time.

At least we are consistent. As long as we are not in the Playoffs, I'm of the mindset that we need to get more players. How many "needs" can you think of that this team has?

1. CB to cover Reggie Wayne and replace Dunta Robinson - Not likely in this draft

2. LG to put Studdard on the Bench if Chester Pitts isn't going to be a Texan.

3. RG to allow Caldwell to slide into the OC position.

4. FS who can give help over the top and perhaps pull in some Interceptions. Perhaps get more interceptions than Brian Cushing. He also has to be a good enough tackler to be a credible presence in the Box.

5. RB who can move a pile, not fumble, and pass protect. Getting a RB who can score TDs in the Red Zone puts this team in the playoffs. Just a guy who scores 10+ TDs, that's all.

6. DT that not only stops the run, but pushes the pocket allowing Mario to get sacks. Wouldn't it be nice to have a DT that gets 6 sacks?

When we get our 6 needs down to 2 needs, then I'll be arguing that we should trade up and get that "Special" talent who won't be available when we pick at the position that we must have.

[kRocket]

Trade up next year, 'maybe'. But, this year we still have some holes and some B/U positions to fill first. There are some good OL that will fall to us and a good RB might come our way. After that I reckon we ought to concentrate on defense since there is a wealth of defensive talent. Now, I am not saying that should be the draft order just our needs.
There was a kid name Hardesty (big & fast and Mayock mentioned that he is one-cut zone runner) that merits consideration and Blount ran well for a 240lb back. I like Marshall Newhouse at 3-5 but there are others. Most of the ones we talk about we won't have a chance at anyway. I haven't seen too many guys hurt themselves so far.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

#20 Taylor Mays S 6'4" 225 USC
#51 Mike Johnson OG 6'6" 305 Alabama
#82 Brandon Ghee CB/FS 6'1" 190 Wake Forest
119 LeGarrette Blount RB 6'2" 240 Oregon
152 Myron Lewis CB/FS 6'2" 200 Vanderbilt
190 Cam Thomas DT 6'3" 330 North Carolina
200 Jeff Byers OG/OC 6'3" 290 USC
231 Chris Cook CB/FS 6'2" 210 Virginia
.

I have been looking for "updated" rankings since the Combine and haven't really seen anything yet. While it isn't a mock draft, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...gs&start_row=1
has at least updated rankings. So, I thought I'd look at that and compare it to my draft board.....

#20 DT Dan Williams
#51 RB Ben Tate
#82 CB Syd'Quan Thompson
#119 OG Marshall Newhouse
#152 FS Myron Lewis
#190 OC Eric Olsen
#200 DT Jay Ross
#231 CB Patrick Stoudamire

[Blitzwood]

Who I think Kubiak/Smith will draft:

20 Ryan Mathews RB Fresno
51 Tyson Alualu DT Cal
82 Myron Lewis CB Vanderbilt
119 Tony Washington OT A.C.U.
152 Garrett Graham TE Wisconsin
190 Robert Johnson FS Utah
200 Edward Britton WR Texas Tech
231 Brandon Deaderick DT/DE Alabama

I'd be alright with this draft.

[Roy P]

1. DT Dan Williams 6'3" 327 5.17 Tennessee
2. CB Devin McCourty 5'11" 186 4.48 Rutgers
3. CB Brandon Ghee 6'0" 191 4.45 Wake Forest
4. FS Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 6'0" 207 4.47 Indiana (Pa)
5. OG Marshall Newhouse 6'3" 326 5.00 TCU
6. RB Lonyae Miller 5'11" 220 4.52 Fresno St.
6. DT Jay Ross 6'3" 317 5.15 East Carolina
7. DE Lindsey Witten 6'4" 248 4.73 Connecticut

Ok, I'm actually ok with the idea of trading up for Dan Williams, so I'm happy to take him at #20. I'd be fine with taking McCourty at #20 to fill a need, so I was more than pleased to take him in the 2nd round. I've got Ghee with a 2nd round grade, so once again happy to get the BPA. In the 4th, I complete the Secondary with a small-school FS. I get a big body with agility in the 5th and another RB in the 6th. Getting Ross and Williams should improve the run defense and get some push up the middle. Witten was just the BPA in the 7th round.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I have been looking for "updated" rankings since the Combine and haven't really seen anything yet. While it isn't a mock draft, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...gs&start_row=1
has at least updated rankings. So, I thought I'd look at that and compare it to my draft board.....

They updated again on 3/20

So here is my take.

I will assume that some guys will drop, so I will look at 5 places up at each pick and then down.

1st 20 Earl Thomas FS/CB Texas 5-10 208
2nd 51 Tyson Alualu DT California 6-3 295
3rd 82 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB Indiana (PA) 6-0 207
4th 119 Ben Tate RB Auburn 5-11 220
5th 152 Marshall Newhouse OG TCU 6-4 319
* 5th 155 Lonyae Miller RB Fresno State 6-0 221
6A 190 Roddrick Muckelroy OLB Texas 6-2 246
6B 200 Corey Peters DT Kentucky 6-3 300
7th 231 Keiland Williams RB LSU 5-11 233

Trade back into the 5th round using 2011 4th round pick.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

They updated again on 3/20

1st 20 Earl Thomas FS/CB Texas 5-10 208
2nd 51 Tyson Alualu DT California 6-3 295
3rd 82 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB Indiana (PA) 6-0 207
4th 119 Ben Tate RB Auburn 5-11 220
5th 152 Marshall Newhouse OG TCU 6-4 319
* 5th 155 Lonyae Miller RB Fresno State 6-0 221
6A 190 Roddrick Muckelroy OLB Texas 6-2 246
6B 200 Corey Peters DT Kentucky 6-3 300
7th 231 Keiland Williams RB LSU 5-11 233

Trade back into the 5th round using 2011 4th round pick.

I merely went by my draft board and if they were gone with my pick, took the BPA...

#20 LB Sean Weatherspoon 6'1" 245 4.68 Missouri
#51 CB Brandon Ghee 6'0" 191 4.45 Wake Forest
#82 OG John Jerry 6'6" 332 5.15 Mississippi
#119 RB Ben Tate 5'11" 218 4.43 Auburn
#152 OG Marshall Newhouse 6'3" 326 5.00 TCU
#155 CB Trevard Lindley 5'11" 180 4.53 Kentucky
#190 DT Jay Ross 6'3" 317 5.15 East Carolina
#200 DT Corey Peters 6'3" 295 5.02 Kentucky
#231 K Aaron Pettrey 6'1" 202 4.94 Ohio St

I took 'Spoon because all the BPA at need Positions were gone, so BPA.
I have moved Tate and Jerry on my draft board since it looks like that's the only way I can get both. Getting Newhouse & Jerry gives the ZBS some power and girth to go along with agility. Lindley is not as physical as Joe Haden but defends the pass just as well. Happy with DL depth that late. My entire board was gone by #231 so I've added a PK.

[Blitzwood]

Using their updated board:

1. Brian Price, DT, UCLA- BPA at a position of need, starter. Okoye becomes a reserve/rotation DT.

2. Morgan Burnett, FS, Georgia Tech- Great ballhawk that supports the run, starter.

3. Jamar Chaney, WILB, Mississippi State-Future WILL that can play any LB position in a pinch.

4. Walter McFadden, CB, Auburn- Potential Starter.

5(147). Charles Scott, RB, LSU- Rotation and situational RB.

5(155). Marshall Newhouse, OG, TCU- O line depth.

6. Joshua Moore, CB, Kansas State- Physical CB with good awareness and changes direction quickly, leadership skills, mirrors recievers well(according to Chad Reuter).

6. Jacob Ramsey, RB, Cincinnati- Could turn out to be a late round steal. RB for a Cincinnati team that went undefeated last year. Catches well, blocks well, tough to bring down and comes from a similar ZBS. Caught my eye a week ago while rewatching the Sugar Bowl on my DVR.


7. Trindon Holliday, RS,RB, LSU- With Andre Davis not returning, we select the nation's best return specialist who can double as a RB. Very dangerous in the open field.