The more i think about it, Clowney should be the #1 pick. Having him and Watt together is just too good to pass up.
I'm not so sure Clowney would move to OLB in this system. If Wade was still here running a single-gap scheme, he'd likely fit into that OLB slot who plays on the line, but not in a 2-gap 3-4 scheme. He'd have too many coverage responsibilities as an OLB in a 2-gap system and that just isn't worth the time to try teaching him. 4-3 DE is his natural position, but like JJ, he's big enough to play DE in a 3-4 as well. He was 6'6", 275lbs last time I looked, but could easily carry 285-290lbs like Watt. All they would need is a NT to eat up some space, and free up the two headed monster at DE. If they can find that, we're talking a 3 man rush that can get pressure on the opposing backfield. Something like that completely changes a team's ability to blitz or drop extra players into pass protection.
If Willie McGinest could play OLB in NE, Clowney could in the same system. Also, you currently play Watt on the weak side. If they made him an end - even if he bulked up - they'd want to play Clowney there too. For the strong side they'll want to get someone that would clearly be an undertackle in a 4-3. There is no way you want either Clowney or Watt playing 3 technique on 1st or 2nd down regularly.
Of this ilk? I think so. Neither him or Watt are traditional 3-4 DE's, but they're gifted enough athletically to fill the roles while adding an ability to get into the other team's backfield not typically seen from the position. Not to mention the fact that they both excel pursuing ball carriers from the back side. The abnormally threatening 3-4DE pass rush duo of Watt/Clowney could free us up for a lot of single safety looks from the D, with Swearinger able to play in the box for run coverage or blitzing where he's comfortable. Lot's of potential with the 2nd & 3rd levels when you have such a talented front. Still waiting on the combine, but right now I prefer Clowney over Bridgewater.
This would be a waste of 1.1 We can get a very good pass rusher with 2.1 or 3.1 Anyways, Clowney's red flags are enough for the Texans to say 'No Thanks'.
Well that's another option as well. Maybe Nix falls to the second and they trade back into the second to get the QB of their choice. Clowney Nix and Watt would make a ferocious pass rush without having to blitz.
The more I look at the Patriots and the Broncos, the more I feel taking Clowney has to be a last resort. Kind of a "none of the QBs are going to be worth a damn so might as well take the guy with the best upside." We can all agree that JJ Watt is basically the Manning/Rodgers/Brady of DEs. It's possible that he might be the best non-QB in the NFL. And what does that get the Texans? Nothing. He cannot change games by himself. At the same time Peyton lost his probowl LT, all-pro pass rusher, and lots of other injuries to the team and still make the SB. The Patriots lost just about every single one of their top players and Brady still led them to a AFC championship game. The QB position is simply way too important. Before anyone point to the Seahawks and the Niners, tell me how likely is it that Rick Smith can hit on so many draft picks over and over to build such teams? Do you really think he can find Navarro Bowman or Richard Sherman in the lower rounds? Do you really think if he spends a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a QB, that it's going to be Kaepernick or Wilson? I don't. Daryl Morey of the NFL, Rick Smith is not.
Trade up in to the 2nd round to draft a quarterback...??? No thanks... Clowney is more than athletic enough to play OLB. Only question is how long it will take for him to learn to play the position in a complete role. Plus there will be a lot of nickel and dime so that will be 4 men down anyway. But I wouldn't draft him to try to make him a 3-4 DE. He may be over 270 but he don't look it. I'll believe it if I see it if Nix falls to the 2nd but I doubt it. Not getting my hopes up. But it's some big boy free agents out there the Texans may can get for cheap and some more big boys in the draft.
Great point... It's the truth in this day & age. Anyways.. We can draft Dee Ford in the 2nd round and get Clowney's production. Ford might be a better pro than Clowney. QB 1.1
So you're saying one of the QBs that the Texans can draft with the #1 overall pick are going to be like Payton or Brady...?
No to McCarron, actually no way in heck. I was high on him during the season but seeing him fold like a cheap suit under pressure against the Sooners and not take command of the game has him 4-5 th round in my book. You need a mentally tough qb who can stand in the face of a rush and make plays when not surrounded by mercurial talent
"He received high grades in accuracy, congruent with what I see in Bridgewater. While, [Matthew] Stafford was one of those QBs that [needed] a couple years to grow in the NFL as we've seen, Bridgewater is the type [that] can come in and start immediately, while making minimal mistakes as he learns on the job. Bussell says Bridgewater is ahead of a physically superior talent like Stafford in terms of his polish as a passer. "Polished doesn't mean that Bridgewater has less room for improvement, It just means he has a more refined and precise skillset. "While Bridgewater doesn't have the pure physical talent that Stafford has, I do believe he can be better than Stafford simply because of his poise and mental grasp of the game," Bussell explained. "In essence, it's the difference between a Jay Cutler and a Tom Brady." Joe Bussell
You guys do realize what each other are saying right. Let me clear it up: Bobby is pointing out RIGHT NOW these are what the facts are, as he linked you to what is happening RIGHT NOW. Htown is saying RECENTLY WR have been getting the bigger contracts, and the NFL is so offensively minded/pass happy that it stands to reason they will continue to get bigger contracts. THAT SAID, as of NOW Bobby is correct, and until it does happen where WRs on a chart as given by Bobby proves to be the #2 commodity contract wise, it is all just assumptions/speculations.
