If the next regime believes in Keenum, shore up the OL. If the next regime isn't 100% sure about Keenum, draft a QB. QB OL Secondary Is where I hope the Texans invest their first three picks. And this draft will be soooooo much easier, if Keenum continues to play well. Then you shore up OL in the first, secondary in the second, and draft a QB in the third.
Are you talking about 2 2014 first rounders for our 2014 first? The really limits your options. As far as I know, only 2 teams have 2 first round picks. Cleveland (who gets Indy's pick from the Trent Richardson trade) and St. Louis (who gets Washington's pick as part of the deal that gave the Redskins the #2 pick that they used on RGIII). There's only one game separating us and Washington at this point. If our picks are close together, there would be little reason for St. Louis to give up 2 picks just to move up a couple of spots. So that really leaves only Cleveland who would have the #14 and #27 pick if the season ended today (Texans with the #4 pick).
I am glad none of yall are drafting for the Texans. We have absolutely no pass rush outside of JJ Watt and Antonio Smith. We need another one, or a ILB that can cover. You do not need lockdown corners to have a great defense if you have a great rush. If Mathews is available at our pick, you take him.
Let's say we have the second pick and Bridgewater is already off the board... do we go Clowney, Mariota, Matthews or Barr?
Absolutely. The season's already over and you put in a guy that's going to be cut at the end of it? There's no reason not to play Keenum, as the Texans' front office needs to get as much tape on him as possible in order to determine if they should draft a QB early or not. The only plausible reason for it is that Kubiak wasn't thinking long-term and was trying to save his job this week by getting a victory.
I'd take Mariota. Then either Clowney or Barr depending on what the new coaches feel is a bigger need and whether we switch back to a 4-3 or not. Probably wouldn't take an OT in the first. Duane Brown just signed a long extension and it locked into the LT position for the next 4 years at least (when rookie contracts would run out) and it doesn't make too much sense to invest that high a pick in someone who'll play RT for the next 4 years. And even if you wanted to move Brown over, he's getting paid a lot of money. Again, doesn't make sense to have that much money at RT.
Barr is the most exciting prospect if we stick with the 3-4 but he needs to grade out well. He's still raw too. If he and Clowney grade out as expected I'm not sure you can puss either up. I'm not sold on Mariota being the surefire 2nd best QB in this draft. I'd go with the defensive pick then try and trade up for another mid-to-late 1st rounder to grab the 3rd or 4th QB taken overall - if it fails you take your QB in the 2nd round. Carr might legitimately be the best option available then.
Barr and Clowney are both raw. Give me the best athlete to play OLB in the 3-4. Quarterback in this draft is overrated
My own personal draft philosophy is simple. Is there a QB on the board that projects to be a real (aka not Schaub/VY type) future pro-bowler? A. If yes, take him B. If no, take BPA... which may still be a QB given the draft depth at the position. But I'm not passing on Clowney for the next Schaub. I think said player can be found in later rounds and developed.
But being 2" taller and playing reckless makes you a star, right? Or is RG3 not going to last in the NFL either?
If this is considered a QB heavy draft, perhaps the Texans should consider taking Matthews off the board with their pick...The Texans unfortunately will have to draft for need, and this team desperately needs upgrades at the line...
Taking a RT in the 1st round isn't really typical strategy. Teams take LT's in the 1st round and sometimes let them develop at RT for a year or so. It isn't really an efficient use of resources to bring in a RT at 1st round value, especially when there are so many other holes. RT needs to be addressed through player development or free agency. You invest a first round pick there and you've failed.
I'm convinced after watching Cam last night that the ideal QB would be Mariota. He has the height and speed. Can anyone comment on his mechanics and arm in general? Manziel would be nice but would rather get him later in the draft. I've seen him going pretty high on some mocks. I think Petty will grade out very well once he hits the draft.
