[The Z Report] Draft Primer: Texans’ team needs on offense and prospects to watch for

Every year, certain players drop for no apparent reason...my guess is that one of the WRs will drop to our pick in the 2nd round. Hold off on WR in the first round.

 

I could see the Texans going with an OT/G or 3-4 rushing LB (college DE) that they just can't pass on.

With that being said, the odds are selecting a stud WR at the end of the first are very high. This is one of the deepest crops and you will get fantastic value drafting any of these guys.

I posted this in the Fleener thread:

Some recent late 1st WR picks (picks 23-32):

2010 Dez Bryant (24th) - stud
2009 Hakeem Nicks (29th) - stud
2009 Kenny Britt (30th) - stud when not injured
2007 Dwayne Bowe (23rd) - stud
2007 Robert Meachem (27th) - mediocre, but in a Drew Brees offense
2005 Roddy White (27th) - stud

Busts (Craig Davis, Anthony Gonzalez)

I really think Rueben Randle fits the mold for the Texans. Good head on his shoulders and prides himself in the blocking game. He also has the measurables to go with it all.

 

The only time the Texans have taken an offensive lineman in the first round was Duane Brown. All others were third or later. Unless Zeiter drops to us, I see the Texans going OLB/DE or receiver (no Fleener).

 

I've read a few quotes for scouts that say that chart is now outdated due to how the contract limits now work out for 1st round picks.

 

Actually, the Texans were doing doing the two-TE set before New England. They just have much much better players at that position.

 

It appears that there will be a glut of WRs and OLB/DEs at the end of the first and into the second round.

Reuben Randle
Alshon Jeffrey
Mohamed Sanu
Marvin Jones
Brian Quick
Nick Toon

Nick Perry
Whitney Mercilus
Chandler Jones
Shea McClellin
Vinny Curry
Bruce Irvin
Andre Branch

My hope is that someone slides unexpectly like Amukamara last year and we snag that talent and then trade back into the second with that extra 4th we picked up in the Ryans trade and grab on each of the above guys.

 

Really would like McClellin at DE/OLB

Fleener would be a nice pick, also.

 

This is one of the few drafts where, other than QB, RB, LB, or S, it wouldn't surprise me if the Texans went in any number of directions. Consider their needs:

(1) WR#2 - anyone to take the pressure off Andre, preferably a faster guy that can stretch the field when Andre is injured
(2) OG - Caldwell is new, but frankly both our guards are subpar. Even if Caldwell plays well, he's a free agent next year and it'd be nice to upgrade either spot
(3) CB#2 - This is more a "weakness" than a need and probably one that won't be addressed, but it's worth putting here. Opposing offenses always looked to whomever Joeseph wasn't defending when they needed a big play or a first down. If this defense had a solid #2 corner it would be scary good.
(4) OLB #3 - Can't have enough pass rushers in the system, and Reed and Barwin would benefit (especially Reed, who might not be an every down guy). Barwin is a FA next year and might not be worth the paycheck he'd command in free agency.
(5) TE #2 - I have more confidence in Graham than most, but he's unproven and no Dreeson. Daniels has trouble staying on the field.
(6) OT#2 - This would be higher if it weren't for my trust in Kubiak to evaluate what he has on the roster. They clearly like Derek Newton and Butler, but they are a Duane Brown injury away from panic mode at tackle. Plus, Brown is a FA next year
(7) DT #1 - This is mostly another "weakness" like CB in the sense that an upgrade would make this defense scary.
(8) DE #2 - Antonio Smith will be a cap casualty next year. Would be nice to have an upgrade on the roster.
(9) K #1 and #2 - I don't think this is a hard position to fill, though I think we will miss Rackers.


If they don't trade down, which would be my preference (since the team weakness seems to be depth in general), I would go (1) WR (2) OLB (3) G (4) TE (4) Tackle (5) WR (6) special teams/BPA/system player (7) K/BPA/system player.

 

My ideal draft goes something like this:


In the first round, trade down two or three spots and end up with Fleener, while picking up an extra third round pick or so.

In the second round, use the extra pick (or our third round pick) and our second round pick to trade up into the first half of the second round to select either (in this order) Reuben Randle, Alshon Jeffrey, or Stephen Hill. One of these three (if not all) will be available in the first half of the second round.

In the third round, get a pass-rush specialist (Bruce Irvin still available?)


After that, a lineman like Zebrie Sanders in the fourth round, some depth for the d-line with the second pick.


Fifth round, go inside linebacker.

Sixth round get a developmental lineman or quarterback.

Seventh round, hell, draft a kicker.

 

Fleener TE Stanford
Allen OG Illinois
Wolfe DE Cinci
M Jones WR Cal
Bequette OLB Arkansas
Compton OT SD
Rainey RB Fla
Bullock K TAMU

 

after further evaluation and a Mean Girls viewing on ABC family, I've narrowed it down....

First round-An aldon smith clone, wade knows who...big hands potential holy phenom.

second round-receiver. I would have gone first round, but the godfather made it clear about the depth of receivers.

third round- TE

Fourth round- defensive end

fourth round- guard

fifth-Right tackle

sixth round- Kicker

Seventh round-running back

I didn't have them taking a linemen early because kubes takes pride in turning late round linemen from geek status to king status.

No cornerbacks because well it's the hardest position to play and evaluate. "experts" can talk about sexy shakira hips all they want, but they take time to develop. We have four that are developing before our eyes. Brice Mccain graded out as one of the best nickel cbs in the entire league, jackson is learning to be an ambiturner and carmichael/harris will be seeing more action.

would love fleener =)
only with the long hair though he blocks better with it.

 

Shea McClellin, OLB/DL, Boise State

One thing I noticed about Rick Smith and Kubiak is they draft starters in the 1st round. No project players. I'd take McClellin and keep the defense strong. WR in the 2nd. Move Casey back to TE and draft a FB in the 6th.

 

One thing I havent seen much mention of is QB.

There is a 100% chance the Texans select a QB.

 

In nfldraftcountdown.com's final mock draft they have the Texans taking CORDY GLENN, OT. However what's interesting is they have OLB Whitney Mercilus falling to the Patriots directly after us. If Whitney Mercilus falls I would be cool with the Texans drafting him.

http://www.draftcountdown.com/sub/Mock-Draft-B.php

 

I guess they will bring in an undrafted QB , because we have too many positions to fill (WR, OLB, OT, OG, TE, K). If we add a QB, he will be 3th QB behind Shaub and Yates anyway. So it would be a waste drafting one, IMO.

 

We went into last draft with Schaub and Leinart...but we still drafted a QB with a 5th round pick despite having more needs last season.

This year, our starting QB needs to prove his health and our back up QB still has a ways to go, so I'd say we have more question marks surrounding the position this year over last year. Kubiak loves his QBs, so I have almost no doubts that we select one at some point during the draft.

Russell Wilson would be a good one.

 

I'm starting to think Konz again. He can play 3 positions on the line and we're not exceptional at guard as is. He'd bolster the line in case of injury. Boring pick though.

 

Kiper has us taking Fleener in the first round. Mayock on NFL.com also said the same...
Here's what Kiper has to say about Fleener and the Texans:

Spoiler

Here's the rest of the first round. Didn't see it anywhere but sorry if it's a repost.

Spoiler

 

If Upshaw is on the board at 26 I think the Texans take him.

Also, if Kirk Cousins is there in the third, I think the Texans should consider grabbing him, and if he makes it to round 4 I'd definitely pounce. I know that won't be popular, but I am of the mindset that the Texans should get their QB of the future if they can. I am very high on Cousins and think he is a perfect QB for Kubiak's system. I think he can be Matt Schaub with good athleticism.

 

Fleener seems like overkill.

I want a versatile OL.

Not sexy, but it makes the most sense.