BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

First Round: Trade with Giants, swap #1's (26th < #32) Texans get Giants 3rd (#94) Giants select Coby Fleener, TE Stanford. Texans select-

#32. First Round: Kendall Wright, WR Baylor 5102 196
http://ogdraft.com/wp-content/upload...all-Wright.jpg
Make no mistake Kendall does have ability to stretch the field, best compliment to Andre & polished route runner (whole tree not just a few branches). Texans will need to look for future replacement for Andre Johnson but don't let this blind your perception how well this prospect fits on other side of Andre. Texan needs dictate a player who is most complimentary & ready to work starting day one, needs to shed some baby fat but could be this years draft version of Mike Wallace.

#58. Second Round: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska, 6-4 279
http://windycitizensports.files.word...ig-ten-mvp.jpg
Stock is down because of injury but he is a Wade Phillips DE who possess the mental toughness, could convert to nose tackle position. Key element is motor & unselfishness. Consummate team player that overcomes natural lack of ability. His skill set can add depth across three starting positions on defense, in time will develop into a starter @ one of those.

#76. Third Round: (acquired from Eagles) Matt Reynolds, OT/OG, BYU, 6044 302

Technically sound, high effort/character prospect who can fill swing tackle vacancy while competing to win RG starting position with Caldwell. Similar player to Eric Winston with luxury to kick inside, get reps & develop to become a very good RT as well in ZBS system.

#94. Third Round: (acquired from Giants) Juron Criner, WR, Arizona, 6024 224
http://mit.zenfs.com/214/2011/07/Juron_Criner.jpg
Big, physical WR who could eventually fill #1 WR spot when Andre retires. Uses his body well to shield, protect ball. Willing blocker, attack's middle or working sidelines. Like Kendall very productive in College & more ready to play next level, not a raw talent. Big hands, length plays faster on field than tested, a common trait with both WR's.

#99. Fourth Round: (acquired from Eagles) Vernon Oliver, OLB, Miami, 6021 261
http://insidetheu.smugmug.com/Sports.../OVernon-L.jpg
Rising pass rushing prospect to develop behind Reed & Barwin. Nice long arm length 33" & large strong hands 10 1/8" to shed & strong 31 reps. This is a bit of a flyer pick. Upside & talent are here to fit in nicely if interview process convinces Wade & Co. he will respond positively in a professional environment. Was already involved "professionally" while @ Miami for accepting "inappropriate benefits from a booster" costing him & his team a six game suspension which impacted his stock dramatically. 2nd rd. talent.

#121. Fourth Round: Dwight Bentley, CB, LA-Lafayette, 5097 182
http://www.bobgretz.com/wp-content/u...aftProfil1.jpg
Size & small school combine to drop his stock farther than it should IMO. Great attitude, plays bigger than size, competitive, tough & good long & short area speed. A very good edge cover corner who displays good awareness, also exceptional gunner on special teams. One of my favorite CB's in this years draft would be giddy to add him to Texans roster.

#161. Fifth Round: Chris Rainey, RB/WR/KR, Florida, 5083 180

Trindon Holliday was a bust, but I liked the pick, in fact called it. OK my bad how was I or Texans to know his hands would fall & break apart? One thing I checked this time was hand size (applies to Jacoby as well) don't draft WR's/RB's with small hands (8 3/4" or smaller) in this case Chris hand size is a full 1" larger or 9 1/2" which helps ensure ball security. Rainey would add another weapon with ability to stretch the field.

#195. Sixth Round: Levy Adcock, OT/OG, Oklahoma State, 6051 322

Mike Brisel Clone who would add some much needed depth to OL. Will battle for minutes, tough, competitive & more athletic than expected. Also has played in similar system, as starting LT not allowing one sack all season on a very good Cowboy team. Safe, good value, fits team & needs selection.

#233. Seventh Round: Najee Goode, ILB, West Virginia, 6001 244
http://wvill.images.worldnow.com/images/543204_G.jpg
Short, stout, quick plugger who can cover TE's. similar stature to Mychal Kendricks, very productive & excellent special teams player. Will come into camp & compete. His dad John Goode played TE for the Eagles, has the genes, nice late round steal would could be this years Zac Diles.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I like it!

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

You really think Wright is there at 32?

I like the Crick pick, but then again I'm a Huskers fan.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I'm not a big fan of the receivers in this year's draft class, but I don't think Kendall Wright will be available to us at 26 or at 32. I think there will be some team out there who will pick him up pretty early. My predictions is that he'll go top 14 or 15.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I really like 3 picks (Wright, Crick and Rainey)

I don't have a problem with the rest, but there are players I'd rather have in some of those rounds.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

BL you know I'm a pimp for Wright but not sure he is there #26 but he seems to be dropping so never know. Also have followed Crick for two years as you 65 & I mocked him last draft. I am not a big fan but CBS has him right where you do so he could be there.

If you can trade down, get a 3rd and still get Wright that would be amazing.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

Wouldn't mind trading back, just don't really care for some of the picks you have. I'd rather have Fleener than Wright, but I don't think either will be there at #32. Also, all those picks and not one QB! I think the Texans will draft a late round QB just for depth and development, even if they sign a FA later. They need arms for camp too.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

Tell me what is the big difference between Wright and T.Y. Hilton. They're both basically slot guys that can play outside.. (Antonio Brown)

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

Wright is a polished three route receiver in other words like I already specified can run the entire route tree with football speed & proficiency. I've also seen a lot more of his games so I'm going to be somewhat biased. Hilton is a smaller & hence more explosive because of slight build/lower weight combo, his best attribute to me is return ability. He is also injury prone, & imagine continue to fight injurys as bigger hits are coming in the NFL. Wright seems to have an uncanny ability to avoid direct collisions, his body control & instincts are exceptional.

Difference in draft grades is a late first vs a fourth/fifth round. Or are you confused & wondering what the differences are between Hilton & Rainey? If so Chris is ahead of TY in every category except injury front, hence I switched them out from a previous mock. :)

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I felt a need to hit on every pick with a player who could make the Texans 53 man roster & this QB class just doesn't fit that bill. Goode in the 7th would make the team, as would Adcock in the 6th & Rainey in the 5th. Three damn good player now who will develop into better players later in Houston. Texans will address QB next off season. They must resign Matt Schaub & look @ extending TJ Yates. I also feel a two year gap between Yates would be beneficial from a standpoint of timing future contracts. On the one hand gives you time to develop & evaluate prospect, while on other hand time to negotiate future contract. Not trying jump ahead to 2013 (but you should always be aware of prospects 1-2 years ahead) but I'm intrigued with EJ Manuel FSU. Seems like a pretty solid 2nd rd. prospect right now who could move up to end of first round with a solid senior season. That is more the type of athlete/QB I would be targeting next go around. Then of course you have Landry Jones who looks like a Matt Schaub wanna be. :)

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I think we all have a much better idea by now of players draft grades or we outta being the draft is next week. The psychology fearing losing a loved one (prospect) always elevates just before the draft. Draft executives cannot allow fear to settle in, they've done their due diligence, evaluated their own rosters & needs & set their draft boards accordingly with players ratings. I'm comfortable with Wright @ #26 & also #32. After that if Wright is still on the board the first team who jumps is probably Minnesota which selects 35th.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

Nice work BL. I see a lot of players that could make an impact next year.

Wright- I like trading down to get him. If we are to stay at 26, I feel that there would be better players available. But by picking up a 3rd... nice.

Crick- I think he could become a decent player, but not an all-star. A rotation guy. Solid pick, but I think a different position might be a better option.

And I cant find faults with any other player you chose. Maybe the 7th, but if the 7th is the biggest flaw, then that is a hell of a draft.

We would be lucky if it fell this way.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

Understand the linemen are kinda dull picks, but functional ones who fit ZBS. The four others where projected, Criner 3rd, Oliver & Bentley in 4th, Najee Goode 7th would be a haul in itself. Juron would eventually replace Walter out as Texans #3 WR. Oliver is borderline first round talent & would be an excellent rotational, OLB with Brooks & Barwin with high ceiling. Bentley is ultra competitive, plays with a chip on his shoulder he would be right in the mix with McCain, Harris & Carmichael competing for minutes. Then Najee is a poor mans Sharpton, with ILB experience who is clean, hardworking, overachieving, productive with no injury history. Strong & explosive 500-pound bench press, 600-pound squat with 35-inch vertical.

That doesn't interest you, at all :beer:

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

BL put it perfectly but I'd like to add that imo TY is only a slot and has not proven he can take the beating in the middle of the field. Wright can do it all; Hilton's ability is first a returner then a WR. Hilton plays 5'10", Wright plays bigger. Competition does play a part.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I'd love to see us trade down to early in the 2nd round as I think we'd still get one of the 3/4 players we're targeting at 26,

I also see 3/4 teams just ahead of us in the 2nd who are likely to take OT/OG and I'd like to leapfrog those guys.

Iffy as to Wright and whether he'll be there.

Re: BL 2012 Trade Down Mock
 

I've never been a proponent of taking Crick before, that I can remember, but putting him between Smith & Watt would be electric.

You know I reviewed combine video of linebacker drills & yes Kendricks got in & out of his breaks like hell on wheels but Goode brought the package if you know what I mean....much better value later however if I where to designate ILB in the 2nd round I would much prefer Bobby Wagner. Apples to Oranges.