New Texans (FA/Trade)

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Keith

No doubt. Which is why anyone still clamoring that WR is the top need is forgetting that neither Clowney nor Reed may be starting in week 1. Mercilus is nearing the end of his rookie contract, too.

I hope this means good things about Clowney's progress, but I have been a fan of this team too long to be anywhere near that optimistic.

In unrelated news, the Jets have apparently expressed interest in Cecil Shorts.

Happy to sign Rahim Moore, he is a Centerfielder-type Safety, not a small linebacker-type.

As for OLB....Beason, Fowler, Gregory, and Dupree should all be off the board before our first pick in the draft. After those guys, 5he drop-off is pretty significant. So, the value is most likely WR in the likes of Cooper, White, Parker, or Strong. So, the decision may come down to Jaelen Strong > Eli Harold. Danielle Hunter has the workout numbers that were impressive, but not much production at LSU. My "sleeper-value pick" is Anthony Chickillo, who may be a 3rd rounder, but I would even consider the 2nd round.

I am not much of a fan of this Safety class, which makes the R. Moore signing even more important. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the ILB candidates in this draft either, so I was hopeful that someone could be signed with better coverage skills and a better health history than Brian Cushing.

[HPF Bob]

I'd be okay with investing a second on McKinney or Perryman as ILBs if either is available.

[HPF Bob]

Overall, I'm still waiting for the DT hole to be filled and a few other spots. I'm trying to hold off evaluating until I see how they were able to manage the cap and spread the wealth from letting go of Johnson and Myers.

[Keith]

Some ability to spend money is still there too... there is $8.5 million in JJoseph's base just dying to be addressed. And I can't imagine the Texans believe that Garrett Graham will play up to the $3 million base he still has. Considering the Ravens just lost Owen Daniels, and considering that Kubiak might want someone there for when Daniels need a breather, he has to have some market value as a late day pick.

Ideally, the team addresses needs at OLB, DT, WR, and ILB (& center?) before the draft so they can just go after value with every pick. They're in a good spot still to accomplish these goals. Way better position than they were in a year ago.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I'd be okay with investing a second on McKinney or Perryman as ILBs if either is available.

Perryman is too small/slow for my tastes. I have McKinney as a possible 3rd round pick because of better players over him, but due to the Need of the Texans and the lack of Supply in this draft, I wouldn't blame them for taking him with their second round pick. The best "Value" in the draft at that position would be Ben Heeney of Kansas. Assuming he lasts until the 5th round.