Found this on reddit. Some interesting insight into the Texans' Top 30 visits so far. I don't think fans would be upset going CB / EDGE early Fewer OL visits than I'd expected Not sure how much stock we can put into this since visits are still ongoing and this only charts media reports, but its something to chew on until the draft rolls around.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/04/15/game-plan-mock-first-12-picks-league-rumors 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: […] Best early guess: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson 2. Detroit Lions: […] Best early guess: Georgia DE/OLB Travon Walker 3. Houston Texans: The Texans clearly are planning on a deliberate build, after dealing off Deshaun Watson, and the middle-of-the-fairway pick here for them would be Alabama’s Evan Neal—who may be a better right tackle than left, and could form a strong tandem with Laremy Tunsil and, eventually, replace him on the left side. The one caveat here would be that teams did take note of what Lovie Smith said the other day, on needing better corners to play defense the way the Texans want to. I’m filing that one away, for that reason. Best early guess: Alabama OT Evan Neal 4. New York Jets: […] Best early guess: N.C. State OL Ikem Ekwonu 5. New York Giants: […] Best early guess: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross 6. Carolina Panthers: […] Best early guess: Liberty QB Malik Willis 7. New York Giants: […] Best early guess: Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux 8. Atlanta Falcons: […] Best early guess: Florida State DE Jermaine Johnson 9. Seattle Seahawks: […] Best early guess: Cincinnati CB Sauce Gardner 10. New York Jets: […] Best early guess: USC WR Drake London 11. Washington Commanders: […] Best early guess: Ohio State WR Chris Olave 12. Minnesota Vikings: […] Best early guess: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
[Breer] On the Lions’ pick at #2: “I can tell you that no one I’ve talked to at this point believes that Thibodeaux is in any way a culture fit for coach Dan Campbell. ‘His personality is a lot,’ said one exec, ‘and you hear the head coach there isn’t a fan.’”
Interesting data. At the very top of the draft, unless you have a once-in-5-years talent out there at another position, then you should ONLY look at QB, OL, CB and Edge for picks 1.01 through 1.05. Given that we have General Mills at QB, and given that there aren't any franchise QBs in this draft, we can safely cross QB off the list. If we are focused on CB or Edge, then we could move down 5-8 draft slots and still get a great player while adding valuable draft picks to the cupboard. Especially if we want CB, since you've got a grouping of Gardner, Stingley, and McDuffie where at least 2 should be there at pick 10. I'm good with Gardner if he's truly a "shut down half the field" type of CB. This strikes me as a draft where we are 1) Looking to trade down to amass more picks; and 2) Truly taking the best player to fall to us since we have so many non-QB holes to plug. The roster lacks premium talent after trading away high picks and our stars in the past. The only thing I don't see us doing is doubling up on a position with the first round picks -- i.e. we won't go CB, CB or OL, OL.
Any of the first 3 would work. The Atlanta one is my person favorite…the Texans @8 could still get an elite talent and they would add 2 more second rounders in a deep draft. And if they don’t want a bunch of rookies on the team they have plenty of ammo to trade up.
If we trade down a few spots I’d rather have a future first. As long as we stay in top 10 we will still get an impact guy. I’d like to stockpile picks for next year in case Mills doesn’t work out and we need ammo for a trade up for a QB or for a vet QB who wants out ex. Kyler Murray.
Agree with your logic. I do see Cas trying to make some deals to acquire more picks. Obviously what happens at 1-2, will be important for what he decides to do at #3.
I like this kid. Was hoping he would go under the radar. He does a little of everything well. Would be a good pickup in 5th or 6th rnd
