So Mack is now the guy being compared to LT and likely the guy we will look back on in 5-10 years and say how the heck was he thought to be LT-esque. Don't overthink it, take Clowney or Manziel.
I see that similar to how right before the draft there were a handful of people trying to say RG3 was better than Andrew Luck. It's just people trying to make headlines by taking a contrarian position.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"I absolutely know who I want." - <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> general manager Rick Smith on the <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl">@nfl</a> Draft. MORE: <a href="http://t.co/ebZ0Kilp9o">http://t.co/ebZ0Kilp9o</a> <a href="http://t.co/omA1BiwTS5">pic.twitter.com/omA1BiwTS5</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/461633029224423425">April 30, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So "YOU PEOPLE" call others who don't agree with you about Clowney contrarian... It's a freaking draft and no one knows what any of these guys are going to do until they hit an NFL field. People have the right to have their own opinion. But since people like BobbyNotSoGreat and many others think Clowney is the best prospect in the past 20 years _ this dude better have double digit sacks and be a game changer next year. He better be better than Julius Peppers.
Any other scenario is inexcusable. I can live with Bortles, but it's got to be one of those three players. In a perfect word, the Texans draft Clowney and trade back up for Manziel (or maybe Bortles). Yes, that would be perfect.
Saw on SportsCenter this morning where they had Kiper and McShay talking QBs. Didn't hear what they were saying but they had a graphic that showed McShay had us taking Tom Savage at #33. I've already said that I'd rather them not take a QB in the 2nd round unless Bridgewater falls because I don't think ANY of that next tier are worth a pick that high. But Savage, that would probably piss me off more than any other pick they could make at that spot. Way too high of a pick to use on a guy like that. I'm open minded. I'd wait and see and I'd hope he does well. But IMO, it'd be a huge reach that will likely fail. Do not want, at least not that high.
Why do I have the feeling he still wants to take Bridgewater at 1.1? Just take Clowney and go from there.
If I'm the Texans I take Clowney 1.1 or trade back picking up extra picks. If no trade, take Clowney and then take one of Manziel, TB, Bortles or Carr late in the first or early in the 2nd. All those guys aren't going in the top 15.
When i hear people talk about Anthony Barr, i keep hearing "he's raw" or "he's still learning the position". So you mean to tell me that a guy who is raw and still learning the LB position was still able to keep pace with Mack in tackles and Clowney in sacks? In just 2 seasons? An ex running back???!!! So what's going to happen when he is no longer raw? Once he learns the position? As Matt Bullard would say, "Are you kidding me?? He's your 1st round pick."
If that's the case... Why spend a #1 pick on Clowney when Kareem Martin can be had in the 2nd or 3rd round. Almost the same measurements and Martin has a faster 20 yard shuttle and 3 cone drill.
I know, I'm just not very impressed by Barr, and IMO Williams is a slightly less athletic version of Barr.
MMQB Roundtable on Manziel: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/01/2014-nfl-draft-johnny-manziel-quarterback-experts/