Adding an explosive 3-4 edge-rusher like Quinn will only improve our pass defense... I just don't like the idea of burning another 1st-rounder on a CB.
Who are you going to bench (and because of the money, probably cut) to play him - Mario, or Antonio Smith? It seems to me that as bad as the D is, you don't want to draft someone that has to play the same position as one of the starters who can actually play without embarrasing themselves.
One option that is not being considered it seems is Julio Jones. It would not be a bad pick to draft this guy instead of reaching on a Watt or another defensive end just because you feel you have to. Jones has all the tools to be a great WR and he'd be learning from the best, and also...teams just simply would not be able to cover these guys. With Foster, Daniels, Andre, and maybe Tate..and Matt throwing to these guys thats a ton of explosive weapons. Texans shouldn't be reaching regardless. They did that last year, reached for a position of need and it just didn't work out how they thought it would. I'd like Quinn, Jones, or Prince. But I don't think the Texans will go CB simply because they did so last year.
^^^Never count out the Texans to do something stupid such as drafting Amukamara, lining him up day one opposite Jackson and moving Quin to safety.
The main reason I do not like Jones at #11 anymore is mainly due to the new kickoff rules. I liked the idea of him being able to come to Houston and instanly breathe some life into our stagnant special teams. Slaton looked like a complete hack out there, and it was one of many embarassing aspects of the Texans. With the diminished role of kickoff returns due to the fact that there will be more touchbacks, he just doesn't add enough to the team for this season to draft him that high. Too many needs. I'm still hoping Quinn/Bowers in the first Rahim Moore/Jimmy Smith round 2
I think Jones would help right now. I know the transition to playing WR is difficult, but it is far from impossible. Especially since he'd be playing with several pro bowlers in Matt, Owen, Andre, and Foster on the same offense. No he prbly wouldn't start day one, but Kubiak has never had a thing against rookies. I'm sure he'd outplay Jacoby for the 3rd spot quickly and threaten Walters spot by the end of the year. Bowers leg injury is pretty serious too. He's being projected way past 15 now that would be a large leap of faith. He may turn out to be a great player, but I rather take someone who did good on all the pre-draft stuff at 11.
Two reports from the same news cycle: Notes: Yes, those dropped passes are bothering the Tide's Julio Jones Dropped passes haunting Tide's Jones Scouting reports mention dropped passes as a red flag: 2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Scouting Report: Julio Jones Julio Jones Scouting Report
For a guy that has dominated every football field he has touched, this is nitpicking. Thing is dropped passes is like missed shots. If you take a lot of shots you're bound to miss a few. If you're the #1 target on the team you're bound to drop a few. Reggie Wayne has dropped passes, either way...Jones would be better than what we have behind Andre and if Quinn is off the board I think it'd be between Jones or a lower ranked DE like Watt/Smith/Jordan/Bowers
Rang: 11. Houston Texans Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri: Just adding Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator is going to help the Texans' shoddy play on that side of the ball. To take a bigger step forward, they need players who fit Phillips' 3-4 scheme. Teams question whether Smith has the flexibility to be successful as a standup pass-rusher. The Texans, according to insiders, have no such reservations and see the 21 year-old Smith as a future star in the mold of former Phillips' protege DeMarcus Ware. 42. Houston Texans Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Fla.) : Harris lacks the prototypical height for the position, but has the coverage and open-field tackling skills to contribute immediately. Reuter: 11. Houston Texans Cameron Jordan, DE, California : Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will love the versatility of Jordan, who can hold his own outside the tackle, pressure a gap inside, or even stand up to rush the passer on occasion to give offensive lines a variety of looks. 42. Houston Texans Aaron Williams, CB, Texas : The Texans keep Williams in-state to be either push Kareem Jackson to free safety a la the Saints' Malcolm Jenkins, or take over as the team's centerfielder himself.
If Quinn is their I would take Quinn over Prince in a heartbeat but sadly I dont think Quinn will be their at 11 but if he falls somehow take Quinn no questions asked. But only if Quinn, Peterson, Miller, Mareus, or Fairely are gone. Because I dont want to draft Watts or Kerrigan they would be reaches.
Jordan and Williams would be a very good draft IMO. Quinn has a higher ceiling but Jordan is a "safer pick." I would still like to take Quinn if available though.
IIRC, dropped passes were one of Andre Johnson's negatives early in his career. I'd be very happy if we took Julio Jones.
IIRC, the Texans figured out he had vision problems and that Andre Johnson's dropped passes quickly disappeared after he fixed that.
Da'Quan Bowers' stock has taken a serious hit because of the red flags surrounding his knee, but he's clearly a top-3 talent and was once projected by Kiper to be the #1 overall selection... that being said, if he's still on the board, what does everyone think about acquiring this mammoth specimen to line up opposite Mario (especially if R. Quinn is already out of the picture)?
