2013 Mocks and Needs

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

One player at a position outside of need that intrigues me is QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech. I want to see another game or two with him. Looks to have a big time arm, good feet, great height, good play action, but he seemed very raw and seemed like release point may be a little low. If he drops low enough in draft, I could see the Texans pulling a Green Bay and drafting Schaub's successor.

I agree, I want to see Thomas also, but I was not that impressed with his first game this season.

[painekiller]

30 Sean Porter OLB Texas A&M 6' 2" 230
60 Jonathan Cooper OC UNC 6' 3" 295
92 Jamarkus McFarland DT Oklahoma 6' 2" 296
124 Carson York OT Oregon 6' 5" 286

Porter's size does not fit our OLBs. They need to be larger in order to set the edge. Now if Porter can carry some more weight and play inside he might be a fit. Again I do not see the Texans going with another OC, I think Meyers and Jones have us set.

The last two picks might work.

[HPF Bob]

There's one site that lets you set the draft priorities but, unfortunately, they don't seem to update their ratings so you still don't wind up with a good mock draft.

The problem with many mock drafts is that they are done by people with only a cursory knowledge of each team so they don't really know (unless its obvious) what positions a team is most interested in.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

There's one site that lets you set the draft priorities but, unfortunately, they don't seem to update their ratings so you still don't wind up with a good mock draft.

The problem with many mock drafts is that they are done by people with only a cursory knowledge of each team so they don't really know (unless its obvious) what positions a team is most interested in.

are you talking about DraftTek.com?

They only have 100 players ranked right now, they say that will be increased soon.

I have never been able to figure out how to set the priorities, so I just look at the one they run.

[popanot]

If I had to pick a position of need right now for the Texans to use a #1 pick on, I'd hope they'd find a fast, aggressive, mean as hell ILB. OL would be my #2 and #3.

[HPF Bob]

As of right now, my draft priorities would be:

1. DT - If a good one is there, that will be hard to pass up.
2. ILB - Perhaps a greater need but really good ones should still be there in the second round, unlike d-linemen. Remember, that's where we found Demeco.
3. RG, RT - This is a need that slides up or down based on how well the current solutions perform. Not sold on them yet.
4. DB - It's been better since JJo arrived and we found a pass rush but I'd still like to see some better talent.
5. WR - This is another one where current solutions may drive this need up or down the chart.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As of right now, my draft priorities would be:

1. DT - If a good one is there, that will be hard to pass up.
2. ILB - Perhaps a greater need but really good ones should still be there in the second round, unlike d-linemen. Remember, that's where we found Demeco.
3. RG, RT - This is a need that slides up or down based on how well the current solutions perform. Not sold on them yet.
4. DB - It's been better since JJo arrived and we found a pass rush but I'd still like to see some better talent.
5. WR - This is another one where current solutions may drive this need up or down the chart.

The statement highlighted in red could be said about the ILB, RG, RT, DB, and WR.

At ILB we have Mister Alexander, in his first year of real action. He might be a carrier backup/ST type, or a diamond in the rough. And I agree that this is a high priority position. The best ILB in the draft is Manti Te'o, who is looking to be a top 10 pick, the next guys on the list are looking to be mid to late 2nds. So there is no ILB worth a late 1st IMO. That is why we have to look else where in the 1st.

Jones, Brooks, and Newton are all in there 1st or 2nd year, so they will only get better with more reps.

The DBs have Roc and Harris who have shown flashes in their 2nd camp. They both look to have great upside. Safety could be an option.

WR, 3 targets to guys with 2 or less years in the NFL is not a big enough sample to determine their progress. (As you pointed out). I hope Mercilus does not make us regret passing on Stephen Hill.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As of right now, my draft priorities would be:

1. DT - If a good one is there, that will be hard to pass up.
2. ILB - Perhaps a greater need but really good ones should still be there in the second round, unlike d-linemen. Remember, that's where we found Demeco.
3. RG, RT - This is a need that slides up or down based on how well the current solutions perform. Not sold on them yet.
4. DB - It's been better since JJo arrived and we found a pass rush but I'd still like to see some better talent.
5. WR - This is another one where current solutions may drive this need up or down the chart.

I would definitely agree with a DT in the top slot, especially since I'm seeing the Ninja as a cap casulaty next year.
I might move DB up a bit, rds. 2 or 3, as if Quinn has a good year, he could get something in the D Manning contract ranges. Don't think we have ever drafted a legitimate S.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by painekiller

30 Sean Porter OLB Texas A&M 6' 2" 230
60 Jonathan Cooper OC UNC 6' 3" 295
92 Jamarkus McFarland DT Oklahoma 6' 2" 296
124 Carson York OT Oregon 6' 5" 286

So taking into account some of the suggestions above how about this cherry pick:

30 Jesse Williams DT Alabama 6' 4" 320 can play the 5 tech or the NT
60 Chase Thomas ILB Stanford 6' 4" 240 smart, big inside guy
92 Sonny Vaccaro S Texas 6' 1" 215

then we will have a comp pick and so on.

I would be OK with trading down out of the 1st round to get extra picks.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by painekiller

So taking into account some of the suggestions above how about this cherry pick:

30 Jesse Williams DT Alabama 6' 4" 320 can play the 5 tech or the NT
60 Chase Thomas ILB Stanford 6' 4" 240 smart, big inside guy
92 Sonny Vaccaro S Texas 6' 1" 215

then we will have a comp pick and so on.

I would be OK with trading down out of the 1st round to get extra picks.

This makes entirely too much sense for it to ever actually happen

[painekiller]

31 Kawann Short DT Purdue 6' 3" 305
61 Chase Thomas ILB Stanford 6' 4" 240
93 Erik Highsmith WR UNC 6' 3" 175
125 Matt Scott QB Arizona 6' 3" 195

I could see the first three picks but not the 4th one. They just extended Schaub, and they have Yates and Keenum tied up for a few years also. Plus no one is going to touch Beck.

This will be a year in which I truly see the Texans going with a BPA approach. IMO the team needs: NG & ILB, all the other needs have yet to truly be worked out. The WR, OL, DBs are all works in progress. So it's hard to decide what we need.

[HPF Bob]

Didn't Arizona have Nick Foles last year? The Arizona QB will probably not be very polished when he comes out.

And how does a guy that's 6-3 get the name "short"?

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I agree, I want to see Thomas also, but I was not that impressed with his first game this season.

Watching him a little today. He doesn't seem to lead the receivers well. I love his mobility in the pocket,but I just don't know if he places ball well enough to be successful in the NFL.

[painekiller]

32 Terrance Williams WR Baylor 6' 3" 205
62 Mike Glennon QB North Carolina State 6' 6" 225
94 Zach Martin OT Notre Dame 6' 4" 280
126 Marcus Sales WR Syracuse 6' 0" 177
158 Dan Conroy K Michigan State 5' 10" 190

Wow, two WR a year after taking two WRs? Again they have no clue of our current roster. A QB in the 2nd and a K in the 5th? NO way this is even close. I did like where they have us picking.

My mock:
32 Xavier Rhodes* CB Florida State 6' 1" 209
62 Nico Johnson ILB Alabama 6' 3" 238
94 Shayne Skov ILB Stanford 6' 3" 242
126 Jordan Hill DT Penn State 6' 1" 297
158 *Joseph Randle RB Oklahoma State 6'0" 200

A CB to push Jackson and for depth, two ILB gives you instant depth and one should push the old man out of town, this is a deep year for ILBs, Hill low to the ground DT, and a RB if you want to let Tate go or are thinking of trading him at the draft.

BTW I would not be against a WR like Williams, but we don't need two WR in this next draft.

[Nconroe]

So, how is it we get the 32nd pick?

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

So, how is it we get the 32nd pick?

Probably traded down with the Patriots

But, seriously, two WRs and a PK is nuts however they knew us well enough to have us take a QB from the ACC...

[painekiller]

32 Robert Woods* WR USC 6' 1" 185
62 Denard Robinson QB Michigan 6' 0" 185
94 Micah Hyde CB Iowa 6' 1" 185
126 Cornellius Carradine DE Florida State 6' 5" 265
158 Xavier Nixon OT Florida 6' 5" 300
190 Dyrell Roberts WR Virginia Tech 6' 1" 196

Again no way they take two WR, and give me a break, Robinson is not a QB in the NFL, maybe the CFL, but not the NFL, so that is 3 WR?

My cherry pick, and agian, I am not opposed to one WR.

32 Terrance Williams WR Baylor 6' 3" 205
62 Desmond Trufant CB Washington 6' 0" 172
94 Shayne Skov ILB Stanford 6' 3" 242
126 Jordan Hill DT Penn State 6' 1" 297
158 Tanner Brock ILB TCU 6' 3" 246
190 John Boyett FS Oregon rSr 5-10 205

[HPF Bob]

32 Terrance Williams WR Baylor 6' 3" 205
62 Desmond Trufant CB Washington 6' 0" 172
94 Shayne Skov ILB Stanford 6' 3" 242
126 Jordan Hill DT Penn State 6' 1" 297

PK, those first four picks are a great draft, IMO. Probably too good as in "won't be there in real life".