2014 Mock Drafts

[painekiller]

cbssports mock

Rob Rang has us taking Johnny Manziel, QB
Texas A&M at #4

And Dane Brugler has us taking Anthony Barr, OLB
UCLA at #4.

Rob Rang

(2-5) Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: The Texans are desperate for a spark at quarterback. No one provides a spark like Johnny Football, whose short to intermediate-level accuracy and dynamic athleticism could make him quite a fit in head coach Gary Kubiak's offense.

Dane Brugler

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA: After starting 2-0, the Texans have lost five straight and are on track to pick in the top-10 of the 2014 NFL Draft. But that doesn't mean this pick will be a quarterback, instead, Anthony Barr would desperately help a streaky Houston defense.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

cbssports mock

Rob Rang has us taking Johnny Manziel, QB
Texas A&M at #4

And Dane Brugler has us taking Anthony Barr, OLB
UCLA at #4.

Rob Rang


Dane Brugler

Why in the world would Rang think Kubiak will still be here if we're picking 4th?

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Why in the world would Rang think Kubiak will still be here if we're picking 4th?

Maybe he has McNair's phone number.

I like how a couple of months ago in mock drafts we were picking 30th.

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, depressing that we're now picking in the Top 5 like old times. But, hey, they could be like the Astros and have the #1 pick every year.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Yeah, depressing that we're now picking in the Top 5 like old times. But, hey, they could be like the Astros and have the #1 pick every year.

I think I like picking #1 better than #4 with the new flatter, less progressive CBA. And look at KC, only remaining unbeaten team in the league right now after picking #1 in the Draft just 5 months ago. If you are gonna blow it up, might as well blow it up big-time so you know you've got a new regime coming in along with the top pick in the Draft ? And who's this upcoming off seasons Andy Reid ?

[painekiller]

Walters 10.30.13

#7 Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Wide receiver is not a top need for the Texans, but there isn't a better match for them in this scenario than Mike Evans. They spent a first-round pick on another wideout last year, but the position could be addressed again. Andre Johnson, 33 in July, is owed $28 million over the next three years. That's way too much for a cap-strapped Houston squad. They may ask him to renegotiate, but Johnson, sensing he has just one more shot at a big pay day, may want to move on to a team with a more stable quarterbacking situation.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT

#39 Stephen Morris, QB, Miami

Case Keenum will get a chance to prove himself for the rest of the season. If he doesn't convince Houston's front office that he can be a solid starter, the team will attempt to find a franchise quarterback in the spring.

#71 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position, especially in the wake of yet another injury to Brian Cushing.

Pick change; previously Yawin Smallwood, ILB

I could live with Evans, to go with Hopkins and Posey, that would have the potential to be one of the best young WR corps in the league. If I am looking at QB in the 2nd, I have to do more research before commenting, my pick is still Jeffcoat from UT, and I would be very happy to have Skov slide to our 3rd pick. He can cover and has skills.

[painekiller]

3 Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA

Charlie Campbell's mock has slotted Anthony Barr to Houston for a couple of weeks now, and it makes a ton of sense. The Texans aren't getting much of a pass rush from their outside linebackers. Whitney Mercilus hasn't done much outside of the Seattle game, while Brooks Reed has been an even greater disappointment.

Anthony Barr is the best player available; some argue that he should be chosen before Jadeveon Clowney. A former running back, Barr played defense for the first time last season and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. He has 14.5 TFL and seven sacks through 10 games this season. The sky's the limit for him, as he'll only get better at his new position.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB

34 Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Case Keenum played well prior to the Oakland game, but things started to fall apart for him. If he finishes poorly, the Texans will likely draft a quarterback in the top two rounds.

Tajh Boyd struggled in a big game against Florida State and has some height issues, which is why I've moved him down in my mock draft. However, he's still worthy of being chosen in the 20-40 range.

Pick change; previously Ryan Shazier, LB

69 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position, especially in the wake of yet another injury to Brian Cushing.

Pick change; previously A.J. McCarron, QB