Rang's First Mock. At #27, We Pick...

[HPF Bob]

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: The Texans have emerged as one of the NFL's best teams, but run defense remains a concern as the team doesn't have a dominant nose guard. Poe, at 6-5 and 350 pounds, possesses a rare combination of size, strength and athleticism and would surely intrigue the Texans and any other teams in search of a nose guard, should he leave Memphis early.

CBS Profile of Poe

Rang's Mock

Note that there's no assurance that we pick at #27 but that seems to be where we will be unless one of the teams picking ahead of us reaches the Super Bowl or we reach the Super Bowl.

[edo783]

Based on that pick, he is one of those guys that doesn't understand how Wade's defense works. Not that there is anything wrong with having a guy like that, but not with our number 1 pick. IMO, that needs to go for either the best WR or CB on the board when we pick and I would lean towards the WR.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by edo783

Based on that pick, he is one of those guys that doesn't understand how Wade's defense works.

Excellent point. Actually, if the team wanted an interior D-lineman, the guy Rang has going to the Pats at 28 would make more sense (plus he's more from further southeast where Dale Strahm likes his prey):

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Cox will appeal to Bill Belichick for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the 6-4, 295-pound junior is just scratching the surface of his potential. And make no mistake, the potential is there for Cox to be a star. The Bulldog defensive tackle earned the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week four times this season and is highly regarded by scouts because of his size, strength and ability to play inside or out in multiple fronts. That type of versatility will also certainly intrigue Belichick.

Easily the top need though is at CB. Sure they have needs at other positions, but a first round pick should probably start immediately, and there is a Help Wanted sign hanging around Kareem Jackson's neck right now.

[barrett]

I don't believe Smith will admit he was wrong on Jackson yet. They spent the last 6 weeks trying to trumpet his "improved" play. Not to mention they buried Brandon Harris (a 2nd rounder) in the name of keeping Kareem on the field. CB would be my choice, but I think it is very unlikely we go CB on day 1 or 2.

I don't like WR #1 and have given a ton of reasons so I won't repeat them all. If we did go WR though in my opinion it has to be a big time return guy who can make a huge impact there since the #2 WR in our offense does not get a ton of balls and we go 2 TE a ton.

I would be happy going OL #1. Either the best Guard or Tackle (that would move Winston inside).

I don't see DT as a huge need since our NT only plays about 30% of the snaps and Watt and Smith are great inside on passing downs. Same with MLB.

I would go QB if I fell in love with a guy who could be had, but again I highly doubt we go that direction.

So since I don't think our front office will go CB or QB (my top 2 needs)...

I would trade down if someone else had a guy they had to have (like Denver moving up for Tebow 2 years ago to about where we are at).

Or if I can't trade down, I would go BPA at OG, OT, NT, MLB (get cheaper, younger and better suited to a 34 than Demeco), WR/KR/PR.

[HPF Bob]

This far down in the first round, a trade down into the early second round is a really good move. The difference between first-round money and second-round money can be significant and we would be able to add a 3rd or a next year's second in the deal.

If there's no gotta-have guy in our spot, I'd strongly advise it.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

This far down in the first round, a trade down into the early second round is a really good move. The difference between first-round money and second-round money can be significant and we would be able to add a 3rd or a next year's second in the deal.

If there's no gotta-have guy in our spot, I'd strongly advise it.

Trouble with trying to trade down is someone else has to be trying to trade up. In this draft as I see it falling right now, I am not seeing that guy that a team in the early 2nd round must have to trade up for. In the mid 20s of this draft, there is no OG worth taking at this time, there does not appear to be that QB that is not a a top 10 pick but could be a first rounder that is slipping.

There are WRs, CBs and RB galore in the late 1st this year.

Now I know all of my ranking will change with the all star games and the combine, so ignore what I am saying right now. But I am looking forward to us getting lucky and landing a guy like Jeffery when we pick.

BTW if we get lucky and go to the AFC championship or further then all bets are off as to who we pick.