Call me crazy guys, but I think I would take Fleener if he is still available. I know we have drafted 35 tight ends in the last 4 drafts it seems, but I think when all is said and done that Fleener will be one of the 5 best players to come out of this draft.
I am absolutely fine with OD, Casey, and Graham. I expect Dreesen to be a starter somewhere else next season They have depth and capable starters at TE. Outside of Andre, they have no receivers that should even make an NFL roster
Like I said, I understand the argument to the contrary. I just hate to pass on a guy that I think will be a top 4 TE in the NFL in 3 years along with Gronkowski, Graham and Davis. If Floyd slides down to us, then I could see going receiver, otherwise these other guys don't excite me. Fleener could beat Alsho Jeffery in a foot race, so I sure hope they don't take that guy.
It largely depends on what the staff thinks of Graham. If Dreessen leaves, you do need another TE to step in, especially because Casey will still get some time in the backfield at FB. (I know Vickers will probably start, but Casey still got some snaps there, and he's a matchup issue.) Graham seemed like a good value pick when the Texans drafted him, and there's probably a reason he's stuck around... but if they think an available TE would be a large upgrade, it's worth considering. The No. 2 TE is just as valuable as the No. 2/No. 3 WR in this offense.
Can never have enough TEs. Only slightly sarcastic. TE is an important position for the Texans. Casey should not be viewed as a TE. I would like more production out of the starting TE than OD has been the past two seasons. I've not seen him enough to know how good he will be.
6'6" 250 lbs and ran a 4.45 at his pro day. No way he lasts until the Texans pick now. Oh well, it was a nice thought.
He is going to be a great player in the NFL. I'd be fine with him and Dressen on board, and letting Daniels walk to save some money. But that fact is, if the Texans draft a TE in the first round we've basically failed on that pick. So many other needs right now.
Dreesen just signed with the Mannings....err Broncos. So Fleener would be a great draft pick if still available. Him and Daniels would be similar to the Pats TEs
A TE will be taken but i'm not sure you take one in the first round, because it would be hard to pass on some of the top ILB and OLB available...not to mention a DT or WR. Typically, you can pick up a pretty good TE in the 3rd and 4th rounds
With Dreessen leaving and Casey taking over as fulltime FB, we're almost a dead lock to draft another mid-round TE. I expect a dude like Rhett Ellison, James Hanna or Brian Linthicum. Somebody who can block but won't drop wide open touchdowns, and can fill in at Fullback if Casey gets hurt.
The more i think about it, i suppose they can't rule it out. Taking the best available at the ILB, OLB, DT and TE makes since. It just depends on who they can pickup at the other positions later.
I think it's impossible for him to drop that far given recent trends with TEs. But as a general rule I think a 1st round pick should always be BPA for the team rather than need.
I like Dwayne Allen better for what this team needs...a proficient blocker and red zone threat. his stock has dropped due to a poor 40 time so maybe he slips late into the 2nd round. wouldn't mind trading back and getting some extra picks to target this guy.
If we get this guy.... Spoiler I honestly think that having two TE such as Fleener and OD would fix our WR situation and you add in Casey as full back, the Defense wouldn't be in hell. Outside of Welker Grank&Hernandez the Pats Receiving core wasn't spectacular.
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I just think we have had pretty good tight end play, but ever have just been overly impressed with it. I think we have to get a tight end now, so it really just comes down to how much better you think we can get depending on what positions are available there at our pick. If we get Perry from USC, how much better is he than Brooks Reed? If we get an ILB, how much better is he than Sharpton? If we get Wright from Baylor, how much better is he than Walter or Jacoby? How much better is Fleener than Graham or even Daniels for that matter? I don't think we go OL in the first round, but I could be wrong. I think getting Fleener would kinda kill two birds with one stone. You would have your Dreesen replacement, and in a way you would lessen the need for another stalwart receiver. Not that I wouldn't want to still improve at receiver.
