The Texans go into the 2010 draft needing a CB, FS, RB, DT and overall D-line depth, and interior offensive linemen in no particular order. Here are the 10 players that could be available that I would target. 1. DT Dan Williams-An athletic space-eating DT that can also push the pocket on passing downs is just what the Dr. ordered for the Texan's front seven. His presence could make the Houston front an elite unit. He would elevate the play of the other six guys as well as the secondary. He would take some of the heat and focus off M. Williams, and he would guarantee single coverage for Okoye on every play. Unfortunately, I think the chance of him being on the board at twenty is waning. 2. CB Kyle Wilson-He is the best pure cover corner in the draft. Haden is good and may be an overall better football player, but he doesn’t have the feet, change of direction ability, or closing speed of Wilson. In my opinion, he was the most impressive player to watch during the Senior Bowl practices. He is smooth in his back pedal. He has the ability to pop his hips and run with a WR once his cushion gets broken down, and he can stick his foot in the ground and close downhill in a hurry. Wilson also brings extra value as a returner. Lately, his stock has been on the rise as well. I hope he is still on the board because there is great starter quality value in the 2nd & 3rd at some other need positions like FS, RB, and even DT. At corner, however, it drops off pretty fast. 3. C/OG Maurkice Pouncey-Pouncey definitely does not qualify as a sexy pick, but he would prove to be ever so valuable. Pouncey, Caldwell, and newly acquired Wade Smith could combine to completely overhaul and strengthen the interior of the Texan’s offensive line. The two tackles played well, but the interior guys struggled all year. Although centers often do not get drafted this high, Pouncey is the highest rated center prospect in the last 5 years. Some draftniks have him rated as one of the 10 best players in the entire draft. 4. RB Ryan Mathews-Based on history, we know this one probably won’t happen, but I do think Mathews will be tougher for the Kubiak regime to pass on than some RBs in past drafts. Mathews is the prototype zone scheme back. He is the classic stick his foot in the ground, get his shoulders square, one cut and go back that the Texans have never had. He is a slasher that runs hard, doesn’t waste time dancing, and has the speed to make the big play. He would prove to be the perfect complement to Slaton. He is definitely intriguing and he would look great in a Texans uniform. Since there is value at the position in the later rounds, my guess is the Texans will pass, but I’m hopeful. 5. DT Brian Price-The Texans are always looking to upgrade their ability to pressure the QB by only rushing four. Price is the best pass rusher in the draft at his position. Plus, in the NFL today you need 7 or 8 quality defensive linemen to rotate through out the game. 6. FS Earl Thomas-I am not as high on Thomas as some seem to be. I agree that he has great ball skills although he did struggle at times against 2 verticals in cover 2 (watch the A&M game). He was a veritable thief for the Horns all year. He has great range and timing. Also, he is young and has as much upside and potential as anyone in the draft. However, I’m not sure he is ready to step right in on day one and I feel the 20th pick should be a guy that can start. I think there will be a bit of a learning curve for Thomas. Also he isn’t physical enough for my taste. With the coverage schemes of today both safeties have to be interchangeable. Both have to be able to cover man-man, play deep zone, and play in the box and I’m not sure Thomas can do the latter in the NFL effectively. He is a willing tackler, but I’m afraid he will end up being the nail more often than the hammer. 7. G Mike Iupati-Once again, the Texans need interior offensive line help. Iupati is a talented guy that some even think could play LT. He would be a good fit for the same reasons I like Pouncey. He and Smith on each side of Caldwell would be a huge improvement over how the o-line looked at the end of the year. In my opinion Studdard and Myers are marginal. Brisiel was injured in ‘09 and should be able to return to his ‘08 form, but a little competition never hurt anyone. 8. DT Jared Odrick-He is a high-motor interior defensive player. Odrick is a decent run stuffer and and has some pass rush skills. His presence would give the Texans a better rotation up front. 9. CB Devin McCourty-He is the next best corner after Wilson. Obviously, this is a position of need but 20 is probably too high for McCourty. He has starter potenetial, but is probably more of a trade-back option which is fine if Houston can land him and acquire more picks. 10. DT Tyson Alualu-Another trade-back option, Alualu is an interesting player. He is a lot like Antonio Smith. He can line up at any position on the front four. He could be a stout run stuffing DE on early downs and move inside as a quick pass rushing DT in long yardage situations. Not only would he add to the depth of the d-line rotation, he would also create extra options and combinations due to his flexibility.
Good to see my former elementary school classmate Fendi Onobun put on a show at the UH Pro Day. At, 6’6”, 252 lbs he ran the forty at 4.48 & 4.50 seconds. Also had 11 feet in the broad jump. He played 4 years of hoops at Arizona and this past year played tight end at UH. He opened a lot of eyes with this performance and could be drafted in the late rounds now.
He only caught 2 catches for 33 yards and a TD but I remember him being a beast on Special Teams blocking field goals and extra points. He has a long way to go but huge upside. Some team will take a chance at him.
Hard to play 2 sports in college and Fendi didn't even play high school football. He had one year of eligibility remaining in another sport after 4 years at Arizona. Because completed his degree in four years, he was able to graduate school at UH and compete immediately. Same thing Greg Paulus did at Syracuse.
Nice analysis. Not sure I would have Pouncey rated that high though, he's a good C prospect but I'd be okay with Caldwell moving over and using #20 on a bigger need. But I have Earl Thomas rated much higher, I would take him over any of the players mentioned. The guy is an absolute ballhawk in the secondary, pretty crazy how much he improved in the 2 seasons he played at Texas. Fact that he's also able to play CB is just added bonus.
If Earl Thomas and Kyle Wilson are off the board I would like to see us go after either Pouncey or Iupati over Price or Williams. IMO the two OL guys are pretty much sure things while teams reach for DT every year. Pouncey looks like a can't miss so give me the sure thing, it's not like the interior line is not a need.
I guess my analysis sounds negative, but I do like Thomas. I like his potential. If he is the pick, I think he will be an excellent player 3 years down the road. I think he will struggle a little at first. That's the main reason I like some of the other guys better. I feel a guy like Williams, Wilson, Mathews, or even Pouncey can come in and help day 1. As close as the Texans are they need a guy that can make a significant difference right out of the gate. My other concern with Thomas is his frame. I'm not sure he can hold up in the NFL especially against the run. Although he would force quick in college, he was a bit of a sloppy drag-down tackler at times. I am afraid this will be magnified in the NFL. I also think there is a lot of value in the 2nd & 3rd rounds at safety in this draft. I like Nate Allen of South Florida and Morgan Burnett from Georgia Tech as potential 2nd round picks for instance. Both of these guys are going to be good NFL players. Now, obviously I like Thomas' upside better or I would have these two guys rated as #1 picks; however, from the standpoint of draft strategy I like the idea of CB Kyle Wilson in the 1st and FS Nate Allen in the 2nd much better than FS Earl Thomas in the 1st and CB Brandon Ghee of Wake Forest or CB Chris Cook of Virginia. Or what about Wilson, Gerhart, & FS Major Wright in the 3rd? Or Wilson, Burnett, & RB Ben Tate or RB Montario Hardesty in the 3rd? All this being said, if it is Thomas I'll be happy with the pick. What do you think of the CB's in this draft? Do you think there is another starter after McCourty? I'm sure a few will emerge but no one stand out to me.
I could see a guy like Patrick Robinson starting early on, he's a pretty good prospect and I see him going early in the 2nd round. Kareem Jackson's stock has been rising lately as well. But there are a couple guys who were considered good prospects coming out but had mediocre performances at the combine...Perrish Cox, Javier Arenas, Dominique Franks. These guys could go anywhere from late 2nd round to early 2nd day picks. But assuming ET is off the board at #20, here's how I'm hoping our first day will be like: 1. Kyle Wilson - Best cover CB in the draft. Also an outstanding special teams player which is an added bonus since I think we need to start looking at replacing Davis as our KR. 2. Lamarr Houston - Really underrated player. Has good size at 6-2 305. Holds up well against the run and has the quickness and speed (former DE) to penetrate and get to the QB. 22 TFL and 8 Sacks as a Senior to go along with 4.85 Forty, 30 Bench Press Reps, and 33.5 Vertical.
First day of draft is now just the first round. I wouldn't be upset if those are our first two picks. I really like Mathews as a RB for the Texans..he does a lot with very little.
Forgot about the change in format. BTW, McShay reported that Earl Thomas ran a 4.35 Forty at UT Pro-Day today, he's a Top 15 lock now, if not higher.
He will be gone by the Texans pick for sure even if he didn't run that well. I still like Kyle Wilson better anyways.
A great CB probably provides more advantage to the defense than a great FS, since he will likely cover the best receiver all of the time. Wouldn't it be nice for the Texans to get more "coverage sacks"?
Gil Brandt will have an update soon. Click the following link: http://blogs.nfl.com/category/pro-days/ Edit: Update on McCoy now posted.
Looks like it will be Wilson or Matthews, as best avail for need..I'd be happy with either. Thomas has certainly helped himself, he may go in the top 10 to 15 range...
The Texans have too much pride to take a CB with their first round pick. If they did they would be admitting that they actually lost a important piece in Dunta that had to be replaced. It will be Ryan Mathews, Earl Thomas, or Dan Williams. They will get a CB in the 2nd imo.
Yeah, cause the Texans are little school girls who give a rats ass what a former player, or anyone else thinks about them. Cause, you know, they've always had a penchant of worrying about people opinions. Hmm, or not.
