2015 Mocks

[HPF Bob]

I could see it happening but I am optimistic that Clowney and Mercilus will hold down the OLB spots and whomever we get will be backups, not starters whereas a first-round WR ought to be starting by mid-season as we need to get rid of the guys we were using for depth at that position last year with the possible exception of Posey if he's healthy both physically and mentally.

The Texans don't strike me as a team that will bite on Gregory or Green-Beckham if they are available but I can see them choosing Shane Ray or Bud Dupree over Parker or Strong if they are available.

My issue is that I want the physical presence of the top 4 receivers (and Dorial G-B is also a physical presence to be honest) - somebody who can win jump balls in a crowd and most of the guys listed at WR in the second (Smith, Perriman, Dorsett) are there because of speed, not physical toughness. Sammie Coates would be my choice of the second-rounders. The wild card is Devin Funchess who some project moving to Tight End and becoming a Jimmy Graham type.

[HPF Bob]

I enjoy moving around a bit on the draft board so I can have more picks in the second day where the best bargains should be. But that's not true to Houston's track record so I disciplined myself to decline all the trades and just do a straight draft with our current picks. It meant missing out on some guys I wanted but I was able to get several guys I targeted including some of O'Brien's alumni.


16 - R1P16 WR JAELEN STRONG ARIZONA STATE
He's still there sometimes in trade downs but sometimes he's gone. Taller and faster than Devante Parker, he should be a great mirror for Hopkins.

51 - R2P19 ILB STEPHONE ANTHONY CLEMSON
Solid all-around LB who can finally stop the parade of flotsam lining up next to Brian Cushing.

82 - R3P18 TE JESSE JAMES PENN STATE
I wanted this to be Lorenzo Mauldin but he was taken. I'll settle for a huge 6-7 receiver who O'Brien knows well and makes a great end zone target.

116 - R4P17 OLB KWON ALEXANDER LSU
I could have nabbed a safety here but after missing out on Mauldin, I didn't want to miss on the next best OLB on the board.

152 - R5P16 G-C MILES DIEFFENBACH PENN STATE
A little early for this guy but he fills two back-up needs and O'Brien loves his toughness returning from knee surgery.

175 (comp) - R5P39 WR TY MONTGOMERY STANFORD
Now's the spot for a speed receiver with kick return skills and that's Montgomery or Antwan Goodley. I'd be happy with either.

195 - R6P19 CB DAMIAN SWANN GEORGIA
We can always use depth at corner.

211 (comp) - R6P35 S CHRIS HACKETT TCU
Ditto safeties. If I had more mid-round choices, I would target FS Adrian Amos of Penn State rather than Hackett.

216 (comp) - R6P40 DE DEION BARNES PENN STATE
Another Nittany Lion that is a classic tweener who could become an OLB at the next level.

235 - R7P18 RB MALCOLM BROWN TEXAS
A solid backup behind Foster and Blue. Doesn't make people miss but he's a dependable runner and receiver who can fight for tough yards.

What's missing in this draft? Help on the d-line, no true center to back up Jones, no development QB (not sure one is desired). Hopefully, Ryan Pickett is still in Romeo's contacts list. Otherwise, I'd be happy to come away with this.

[nunusguy]

NFL teams including the Texans run so much in nickel defensive schemes these days that a team practically has not just 2 but 3 starting corners and with Joseph coming into the last year of his current contract in 2015 I can see a real possibilty that The Texans go corner with their first pick especially if the edge-rushers and WRs they really like are off of their Board @ 16. And it' a deep draft for WRs,
better values may be in later rounds for teams this year.
Of course to really make an informed call on the Texans pick it all boils down to what the 15 teams drafting ahead of them Texans do, otherwise no way of knowing their options.