Exactly. Case was an undrafted free agent that cleared waivers after being release and then was signed to the practice squad. Now, 15 months later he is a starting quarterback at 25 and thus far has done very well.
And the Bears have their own problems at QB. Their backup (a Sam Houston State guy, I might add) is outplaying their starter too.
At the end of season we will see what we have. But if the Texans offered Case for Gabbert straight up, the Jags would snatch that up immediately.
Mock drafts suck, but I usually pay attention to these guys' draft more than others. http://www.draftcountdown.com/sub/Mock-Draft-A.php We'll see if Hundley comes out this year, but if he did it would be nice to have a top talent with true quality skills at QB, that was drafted by us.
Check Andrew Luck's stats from his first 3 starts, look at the opponents he faced, not exactly world beating. I think we need to give Case at least a quarter or two quarters of a season, before we make a determination.
Miami would, yes. I think they think Tannehill is their guy...or at least he's close enough to being their guy to not take a QB with a first round pick.
Most likely they pass, but it depends on what they could trade Tannehill for. The NFL is about asset management. There's no point to having both Tannehill and Manziel, so the question is, which helps your team more: 1. Manziel + whatever you get for Tannehill 2. Tannehill + some other first round pick Similarly, Minnesota would be dumb to draft a RB if that was the best available at their pick, etc.
Not hardly, if the Vikings drafted a RB it means they are rebuilding which they are and could get some nice compensation by trading AP.
That would go to the Tannehill example above. But it's different than drafting BPA for the sake of it.
This is the NFL. The sports league with the highest year to year win-loss variance in the country (world?). Teams don't rebuild the way you see in basketball and certainly not baseball.
Trade down to a lower first rounder grab more picks. Use the first pick to either grab a QB or LG or DE/NT depending on who is available, with the next two picks being one of other two depending on who was picked.
The Texans biggest hole is LB depth. Draft Moseley, Mack, Barr, or Clowney. No way this team goes away from the 3-4 with Watt and Cush. Cut whoever you need to give you some cap space. FA pick up a solid corner to replace Joseph. I think McClain will have a bounce back year, his foot injury(he isn't 100). This is all pending that Keenum keeps looking like a stud.
If only Mercilus would start performing. Yes, I'm in favor of drafting linemen -- ideally d-linemen but we could also use o-linemen. LBs are also clearly an area of need. Barr and Louis Nix are a couple guys I would welcome...
The 49ers are who you want to be in today's NFL. They are elite in the box. Outside Linebacker-Aldon Smith DE-Justin Smith LB-Bowman LB Willis The secondary is average, and arguably there rookie safety from LSU is the best of the bunch. Texans LB-Cush DE- Watt/Smith(you have to retain Smith) The Texans have 3 elite box players. They need one more pass rusher to turn this team in to the AFC version of the 49ers. Not too worried about the secondary to be honest. I think Keo and Swearinger will improve, Jackson is already a better than average CB. One more pass rusher or a LB that can cover(love Nix)- Clowney, Barr, CJ Mos, Mack, Nix Offense is fine. Although second round, id draft best available RT/LT.
If we finish inside the top 7 picks, my first priority would be to trade down and try and come away with a mid and late first if at all possible. Yes, draft a QB...don't burn that high a pick unless you're absolutely certain you're walking away with a true franchise guy....which is almost impossible. Don't use it in HOPES that it MIGHT be that guy. This team hasn't lost its last 3 games because of our passing game. They HAVE to get another stud for the D-line - hopefully if Wade is gone, someone will have the sense to install a real nose tackle. LB issues can be resolved in the 2nd - 4th round, unless you want to nab an elite OLB like Anthony Barr (if available). If they end up around 5-7 and can't parlay that into two mid/late first round picks, I'd advocate taking care of the line by adding Matthews or Lewan. If we're a little higher or luck strikes, I'd obviously chase Clowney or maybe Barr (I've just never been convinced that OLB makes a defense). If Case plays us into the 7-10 spots, I start evaluating more of the D-line prospects and also kick the tires on Clinton-Dix. I honestly think our starting CBs are fine, though not shutdown, but we've got to bolster nickel and safety to put an end to the poor zone coverage. Uncoupling from the way-too-soon guesswork of who'll be around for our pick (both in flux): I definitely want to put an end to the Earl Mitchell Freeway up the middle. Watt has been hampered and neutralized by the pathetic way in which Centers and guards can body slam Mitchell one on one and freely double Watt without worry. Could Nix, Hageman, or McCullers plug the middle, occupy a couple guys, and allow Watt to break the line apart? Not a first round need....but they've absolutely got to do something about TE. We're all but decimated there. Graham is a nice pass catching TE2, but he's no stud. OD is 31 and hasn't played a full season since 2008. We haven't replaced the serious line blocking from Dreesen yet, and it's been an understated reason why our run game has become so shaky. Hate to say it....but we could stand to look for two TEs this offseason unless we somehow find the rare stud that can both run block and pass catch at an extremely high level (Seferian-Jenkins?). More and more guys are huge hybrid receivers that "could stand to improve his run blocking" Already mentioned tackle....but have to mention the caveat in that only elite talent tend to be plug and play as rookies. Usually not much of a boost at first as they learn the ropes. But Newton has made it clear that he's more a backup swing tackle than a reliable starter. He's got the size and strength, but the reaction time, quickness, technique, and determination just don't seem to be there. Then there's LB. Sigh. Lots of needs. It's clear we've got to find a real playmaker to install next to Cushing - you can't trust him to be okay after two straight devastating knee injuries. It's too much to expect him to still be an explosive sideline-to-sideline guy anymore. Mercilus has been decent but underwhelming. Sharpton just isn't getting it done. I don't necessarily want those two gone....but I don't see them cutting it as starters. Reed is solid at strong, but isn't a difference maker. Once you toss in our severe need for CB depth....it gets frustrating entering each draft with the exact same needs over and over again. One more big reason there needs to be a housecleaning. Given that they make peanuts and don't matter to the salary cap...I've always wondered why competitive owners wouldn't establish a massive top tier scouting department. Unlike the NBA, this draft isn't a simple lottery for that 1 stud that will turn you around. If you come away each April with 4-5 strong contributors, your team is going to beast year after year. If you nab a great guy in the first but your hit rate is otherwise 20%......you get your 2013 Houston Texans.
