O'Brien Coy About Draft Options

[nunusguy]

I doubt if there's anything to the rumors about a Texans-Bills trade, probably just the media fabricating stories to keep readers interested until the actual Draft which is still over a month off. But it there was something to the rumors, I suspect the Texans would pursue a deal. I could see trading our 1.1 for the
Bills 1.9 & 2.9 & 3.9 picks, or for their 1.9 & 2.9 & their second round pick in 2015. At 1.9 we would probably have Taylor Lewan or Zack Martin to choose from to plug up that hole at RT, or a CB like Justin Gilbert or maybe an edge rusher like Anthony Barr.
Hardly anything more that a pure guess here, but I don't think O'Brien is any more impressed with the Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater threesome than he is in the next 3 or 4 QB prospects. What we really need is Draft picks, lots of them, and if trading our 1.1 gets more picks I suspect the Texans will do it.

[Nconroe]

I agree last year looked like defense was on top of our QB way to fast, way to often.

Seemed to me breakdowns came all along the line , not just right side.

How will that be fixed? Incrementally. We will have a new offensive system this year.

If Foster and running game returns will help.

If TE can contribute more will help.

Maybe better play calls or QB checkdowns could help.

Just avoid turnovers would help a lot.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Hardly anything more that a pure guess here, but I don't think O'Brien is any more impressed with the Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater threesome than he is in the next 3 or 4 QB prospects. What we really need is Draft picks, lots of them, and if trading our 1.1 gets more picks I suspect the Texans will do it.

The Texans already have 11 picks in this draft (although only three in the first three rounds). I think they could parlay their two sixes and their 4th and move up high in the third if they wanted to.

And if they wanted to fix their RT hole and were not impressed with Clowney or the three QBs, they probably should target Matthews and fall no further than fifth or sixth.

[Roy P]

I would be content if the first pick was Justin Gilbert, Taylor Lewan, Anthony Barr, Eric Ebron, or Kahlil Mack; especially if we picked up an extra 2nd & third round pick. I am not excited about packaging picks to move up for an additional third rounder. Off the top of my head the holes I want filled include:
1. QB 2. RT 3. ILB 4. TE 5. DE 6. RG 7. RB 8. NT 9. WR 10. CB

I took of FS because of the FA signings. So, I want to keep all my picks. Unless of course, Garoppolo is still on the board at the bottom of the Second round and we still haven't drafted a QB.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I would be content if the first pick was Justin Gilbert, Taylor Lewan, Anthony Barr, Eric Ebron, or Kahlil Mack; especially if we picked up an extra 2nd & third round pick. I am not excited about packaging picks to move up for an additional third rounder. Off the top of my head the holes I want filled include:
1. QB 2. RT 3. ILB 4. TE 5. DE 6. RG 7. RB 8. NT 9. WR 10. CB

I took of FS because of the FA signings. So, I want to keep all my picks. Unless of course, Garoppolo is still on the board at the bottom of the Second round and we still haven't drafted a QB.

Mack is really the only one in that bunch I would be excited to draft and only then if we traded down considerably.

Off the top of my head the holes I want filled include:
1. QB 2. RT 3. ILB 4. TE 5. DE 6. RG 7. RB 8. NT 9. WR 10. CB

Yes, except I would list the priority as 1. QB, 2. RT 3. ILB 4. DE-OLB (pass-rusher) 5. RB 6. NT 7. TE 8. CB 9. RG 10. WR. But, of course, you make exceptions based on the draft board and who's available.

If we stay at 1-1, I want Clowney or Bridgewater.

If we trade down, I want Matthews, Mack or Bortles. If we trade down, I would insist on a high second-rounder and a third or possibly a 2015 1st-round so i can grab two players in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth. Then you've filled most of your needs.

I'd like to also get a real kick-returner with a late pick. I've never been thrilled with Martin or Manning back there.

[Roy P]

I somehow forgot to mention I want an OLB too to go along with a DE, so that makes 11 holes to fill with FS being addressed in Free Agency. I know that this is considered a deep draft, but not sure how realistic I can be that 11 draft picks all make the roster.

As for the kick return specialist, perhaps a CB like Justin Gilbert would fill that easily enough. My other option could be RB Jerrick McKinnon. Possibly a WR like Kevin Norwood or Martavis Bryant. Other WR/KR possibilities include: Damian Copeland, Tevin Reese, Jeff Janis, Ryan Grant, Bruce Ellington, Walt Powell, Isaiah Burse, Michael Campanaro, or Dri Archer.

[Nconroe]

So just for conversation, I see some think we need a TE and also WR among our 11 picks.

One thought is if you have young guys at a position how long do you develop them before replace them. Consistency and experience.

And numbers, likely you need 3 TE and 5 WR, some starters and some depth.
Can't all be stars or guys don't get playing time and you are in cap trouble.

And then Bill said he needs a slot receiver.

On Texans current roster have 4 TE and 10 WR and new coaches start OTA next week to see these guys.

Garrett Grahm TE6-3 243 27 4Wiscoonsin
84Griffin, RyanTE6-6 254 24 2Connecticut
86Potter, ZachTE6-7 269 27 4Nebraska
48Supernaw, PhillipTE6-5 248 24 2Ouachita Baptist

16Bonner, AlanWR5-10 191 23 2Jacksonville State
12Cruse, AndyWR6-3 216 24 2Miami (Ohio)
10Hopkins, DeAndreWR6-1 207 21 2Clemson
80Johnson, AndreWR6-3 230 32 12Miami (Fla.)
17Lemon, AlecWR6-2 207 2Syracuse
82Martin, KeshawnWR5-11 194 24 3Michigan State
87Nwachukwu, UzomaWR5-11 198 23 2Texas A&M
11Posey, DeVierWR6-1 210 24 3Ohio State
83Richardson, RicoWR6-1 188 22 2Jackson State
89Thomas, MikeWR5-8 198 26 6Arizona

Seems like a good group to start with to me.
Some tall guys for end zone. Some fast guys.
Mostly a young group

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

So just for conversation, I see some think we need a TE and also WR among our 11 picks.

On Texans current roster have 4 TE and 10 WR and new coaches start OTA next week to see these guys.

Garrett Grahm TE6-3 243 27 4Wiscoonsin
84Griffin, RyanTE6-6 254 24 2Connecticut

10Hopkins, DeAndreWR6-1 207 21 2Clemson
80Johnson, AndreWR6-3 230 32 12Miami (Fla.)
82Martin, KeshawnWR5-11 194 24 3Michigan State
11Posey, DeVierWR6-1 210 24 3Ohio State

I believe we can draft one or maybe two TEs that we could pair with the Two above and upgrade over the others on the roster. I happen to be a huge fan of 3-TE formations, especially if the TE can block as well as catch because it puts the defense in the horns of a dilemma - running formation or mismatch in the pass-game? Therefore, having 4 TEs is insurance against injury.

I also think a WR that would be better than Posey is possible. Possibly a 2nd that would compete with Martin as a Kick Returner. I did a mock draft where I had more than 11 picks and ended up taking a third WR in the 7th round just because he was the BPA. This is a deep draft full of talented WRs.

[HPF Bob]

I'm happy with Graham and Griffin but I think Jace Amaro is a walking mismatch that is too fast for LBs and too big for S to contain. A guy like that retools an offense and can make your QB look better than he is.

I'm also happy with our WRs and don't see it as a need. However, I see AJ's contract as being a major obstacle in the years ahead and I also think it benefits both the Texans and AJ to deal him to a SB contender before the balloon payment years hit. With that in mind, if a superstud WR fell to us at 2-1, particularly Mike Evans, I'd be willing to take him and then shop AJ before the 2015 draft.

If we do trade down for more picks, a TE or WR further down the draft is a possibility, particularly a WR that returns kicks since I've never been thrilled with Martin. But I'm not going to waste a pick on one unless he's obviously the best guy available. We can find roster fodder out of UDFAs and practice squad claims to fill out the 75-man.