NFLDC Mock Draft Update (12/15)

[J-Russ]

Scott has us picking at 12 and taking Taylor Mays.

Remember, the draft order are not where he thinks team will end up, but from an accumulation of power rankings. So don't get PO about us being at 12.

12 HOUSTON TEXANS: TAYLOR MAYS, S, USC

Scouting Report

The Texans have been around for seven years but, with all due respect to the C.C. Brown's and Will Demps' of the world, they have never had a great safety. That would change with this pick. Just a junior, Taylor Mays is already somewhat of a legend in draftnik circles and if his workout numbers are anything close to what has been rumored he could be long gone by this point on Draft Day. The phrase "Hits Like a Linebacker, Runs Like a Cornerback" was made to describe guys like Mays, who checks in at 6-3 and 230 pounds and has reportedly run a 4.3 forty. Granted USC has a fast track and is known for inflating their players times but even if Mays runs a 4.45 it will still be very impressive at that size. If Mays is gone or if they want to go in another direction defensive end will also be a strong possibility. Mario Williams is one of the leagues elite pass rushers but Houston is not happy with Anthony Weaver on the other side and there should be a lot of good defensive ends still on the board here. Don't rule out a linebacker either. However, guys like Mays just don't come around very often and Houston may have a hard time passing up the chance to add such a freakish athlete and potential impact player to their secondary.

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

Honestly, I see us on the other half of the draft order by the time it's all said and done. somewhere like 18-22. Two guys I would love to take in that area(in Scott's mock) is William Moore or Tyson Jackson.

After watching yesterday game though, I think OLB will be ok for us. Bentley can be our stop-gap for next year, incase Diles can't come back healthy. Adibi will be fine after an off-season program to increase size/strength.

I think our Biggest need that we need to fix in the 1st round is S or DE. After watching Ferguson getting toasted all day long yesterday, I'm leaning towards S.

btw, for the Aaron Curry fans, the guy has him going #3 overall in his mock. Too bad because I wanted him too.

[bah007]

To be honest, I don't think we can afford to draft a guy like Mays based on his potential.

We need guys that have proven it on the field in college. We may sacrifice some athletic ability with a draft strategy like that, but at least we know what we will be getting.

Take a LB like Cushing, a DE like Brown, or a DT like Raji in the first.

The take a safety like Chung, Cook, or Chancellor in the second.

I would be pretty damn happy with that.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by bah007

To be honest, I don't think we can afford to draft a guy like Mays based on his potential.

We need guys that have proven it on the field in college. We may sacrifice some athletic ability with a draft strategy like that, but at least we know what we will be getting.

Take a LB like Cushing, a DE like Brown, or a DT like Raji in the first.

The take a safety like Chung, Cook, or Chancellor in the second.

I would be pretty damn happy with that.

I agree to an extent, but we have had a problem with our safties being athletic enough. This is a slightly less productive Sean Taylor. The ability is there, and at times, athleticism has to be a bigger factor than you are allowing it to be. If the safties can't get to the ball at the NFL level, then it doesn't matter what they can do with the man in front of them. I'm not saying I'm a huge fan of Mays, but he has to be properly considered.

[Jackie Chiles]

I think we are in fine shape even if we keep winning. If we end 9-7 (fingers crossed) I still see us picking right around 15. There are a ton of teams that are poised to win 10 games this year that put them behind us. For anyone that roots for our draft position just hope that all the 9 win teams out there right now win 1 more game.

As for Taylor Mays I would like that pick a lot. He doesn't have the gaudy stats but he does his job and then some for that defense. People cannot throw long on USC and he is a big part of that. If you look at that defense as a whole none of the guys are having big stat years but its probably the most talented defense in the nation and it is, I believe, the most statistically dominant. Other teams don't go on long drives against them, there are only so many tackles to be made, only so many passes to defend etc. The best players on that defense, Mays, Mauluga, Cushing, are going to be good in the NFL IMO.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

I think we are in fine shape even if we keep winning. If we end 9-7 (fingers crossed) I still see us picking right around 15. There are a ton of teams that are poised to win 10 games this year that put them behind us. For anyone that roots for our draft position just hope that all the 9 win teams out there right now win 1 more game.

As for Taylor Mays I would like that pick a lot. He doesn't have the gaudy stats but he does his job and then some for that defense. People cannot throw long on USC and he is a big part of that. If you look at that defense as a whole none of the guys are having big stat years but its probably the most talented defense in the nation and it is, I believe, the most statistically dominant. Other teams don't go on long drives against them, there are only so many tackles to be made, only so many passes to defend etc. The best players on that defense, Mays, Mauluga, Cushing, are going to be good in the NFL IMO.

USC definitely has the best defense in college football. Over half their players will probably be first day picks.

The problem I have with Mays is that he has the ability to do so much more than he does. He plays lazy.

Maybe he is bored when playing against inferior opponents. Maybe he feels like he doesn't have to do as much because he is surrounded by so much talent. For whatever reason he does it, I don't like it.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by bah007

To be honest, I don't think we can afford to draft a guy like Mays based on his potential.

We need guys that have proven it on the field in college. We may sacrifice some athletic ability with a draft strategy like that, but at least we know what we will be getting.

Take a LB like Cushing, a DE like Brown, or a DT like Raji in the first.

The take a safety like Chung, Cook, or Chancellor in the second.

I would be pretty damn happy with that.

On top of this, if we go CB I like:

D.J. Moore or Trevard Lindley in the 1st.

Mike Mickens or Jairus Byrd in the 2nd.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

I think we are in fine shape even if we keep winning. If we end 9-7 (fingers crossed) I still see us picking right around 15.

To be honest im not too worried about the Texans winning 2 more this year. If there is anything I have learned, is that you cant count on the Texans.

Of course you cant bet against them either.

We will pick 17-19.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by bah007

On top of this, if we go CB I like:

D.J. Moore or Trevard Lindley in the 1st.

Mike Mickens or Jairus Byrd in the 2nd.

My favorite CB's in order:

1. Malcom Jenkins
2. Alphonso Smith (If he was 6'1 instead of 5'9 he would be a top 5 pick. Kid is a player. Amazing ball skills.)
3. Trevard Lindley (he needs about 10 pounds to his frame)

[bah007]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

My favorite CB's in order:

1. Malcom Jenkins
2. Alphonso Smith (If he was 6'1 instead of 5'9 he would be a top 5 pick. Kid is a player. Amazing ball skills.)
3. Trevard Lindley (he needs about 10 pounds to his frame)

I like Vontae Davis, but that is based entirely on potential. I wouldn't draft him for the Texans.

1. Jenkins (undisputed #1 CB)
2. Lindley (sticks to WRs like glue)
3. Moore (not the best in coverage, but just makes plays)
4. Smith (also a playmaker)

[kastofsna]

although i haven't watched a second of USC this year i'd have no issue with Miami taking Brian Cushing

[Goatcheese]

I see the Texans winning at a minimum 1 more game, and picking on page 2.

Of the players he has left, my board would be:

B.J. Raji
Everette Brown
William Moore
Alex Mack
Michael Johnson
James Laurinaitis
Brian Cushing

[Ole Miss Texan]

I think a big play S and a run stuffing DT are two highly important positions we need. From what I've seen, it doesn't really seem like this coaching staff is looking for a marquee kind of safety. I generally want us to complete our team by building the trenches strong- working from the inside out, but if a certain safety comes along I'll be happy with that. Landry ('07) has really been the only safety recently that I would have looked at early in the draft. Surprisingly, I haven't seen enough of Mays to have a confident opinion of him. USC is on tv all the time but I always seem to miss their game.

The S position is so hard for the casual fan, like me, to scout. Often, the aren't shown on TV until the very end of the play. The most important thing in a S for our team is their ability to react to the QB and the play. To see the play develop before it actually does and make the proper read/take the proper angle. I have been underwhelmed by our safeties' abilitiy to do this. I think if we can get a safety that can properly read an offense and has the athletic ability to cut the pass off, it would do WONDERS to our defense.

Mays has really been hyped up a lot, so it's natural for fans to try and tear him down. I think a DE like Orakpo will be gone, OLB like Curry will be gone, wouldn't mind a true #1 CB but we have a conglomerant (sp) of cb-talent back there that we may get by another year or two and see how they develop.

I think we gotta take the BPA at our pick, and really concentrate it on defense. I hope we pass on pure potential this year and grab a guy that has the football instincts/heart to make our team better. We gotta get a playmaker this year. And I'm thinking that big DT or S would have the most immediate impact.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I think a big play S and a run stuffing DT are two highly important positions we need. From what I've seen, it doesn't really seem like this coaching staff is looking for a marquee kind of safety. I generally want us to complete our team by building the trenches strong- working from the inside out, but if a certain safety comes along I'll be happy with that. Landry ('07) has really been the only safety recently that I would have looked at early in the draft. Surprisingly, I haven't seen enough of Mays to have a confident opinion of him. USC is on tv all the time but I always seem to miss their game.

The S position is so hard for the casual fan, like me, to scout. Often, the aren't shown on TV until the very end of the play. The most important thing in a S for our team is their ability to react to the QB and the play. To see the play develop before it actually does and make the proper read/take the proper angle. I have been underwhelmed by our safeties' abilitiy to do this. I think if we can get a safety that can properly read an offense and has the athletic ability to cut the pass off, it would do WONDERS to our defense.

Mays has really been hyped up a lot, so it's natural for fans to try and tear him down. I think a DE like Orakpo will be gone, OLB like Curry will be gone, wouldn't mind a true #1 CB but we have a conglomerant (sp) of cb-talent back there that we may get by another year or two and see how they develop.

I think we gotta take the BPA at our pick, and really concentrate it on defense. I hope we pass on pure potential this year and grab a guy that has the football instincts/heart to make our team better. We gotta get a playmaker this year. And I'm thinking that big DT or S would have the most immediate impact.

Agree.

I think Raji is our best choice in the 1st round. I don't think Mays will make it to our pick and I'm not all that impressed with Moore.

Then I like one of the three safeties I mentioned earlier for our second round pick.
Kam Chancellor - Virginia Tech
Patrick Chung - Oregon
Emmanuel Cook - South Carolina

[badboy]

Originally Posted by J-Russ

Scott has us picking at 12 and taking Taylor Mays.

Remember, the draft order are not where he thinks team will end up, but from an accumulation of power rankings. So don't get PO about us being at 12.



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

Honestly, I see us on the other half of the draft order by the time it's all said and done. somewhere like 18-22. Two guys I would love to take in that area(in Scott's mock) is William Moore or Tyson Jackson.

After watching yesterday game though, I think OLB will be ok for us. Bentley can be our stop-gap for next year, incase Diles can't come back healthy. Adibi will be fine after an off-season program to increase size/strength.

I think our Biggest need that we need to fix in the 1st round is S or DE. After watching Ferguson getting toasted all day long yesterday, I'm leaning towards S.

btw, for the Aaron Curry fans, the guy has him going #3 overall in his mock. Too bad because I wanted him too.

I am leaning towards William Moore also as Mays should be gone when we choose. Moore should be a starter.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by bah007

Agree.

I think Raji is our best choice in the 1st round. I don't think Mays will make it to our pick and I'm not all that impressed with Moore.

Then I like one of the three safeties I mentioned earlier for our second round pick.
Kam Chancellor - Virginia Tech
Patrick Chung - Oregon
Emmanuel Cook - South Carolina

Who would you have rated higher? Raji or Mays?

1. DT Raji
2. S Chancellor/Chung/Cook
3. C/G Max Unger

I could go for something like this at this point.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

Who would you have rated higher? Raji or Mays?

1. DT Raji
2. S Chancellor/Chung/Cook
3. C/G Max Unger

I could go for something like this at this point.

I have Mays rated higher. He's pretty much top 15 guaranteed. Someone will pull the trigger in that area. I just don't like him for us. We don't need lazy players, regardless of talent.

[Texan JBZ]

Originally Posted by bah007

I have Mays rated higher. He's pretty much top 15 guaranteed. Someone will pull the trigger in that area. I just don't like him for us. We don't need lazy players, regardless of talent.

I don't think that's a fair analysis of Mays. I've watched USC a couple of times this year. And while I do think Ellison is the more active of the two, you can't dispute how good Mays is. The USC safeties have given up only one big pass play all year. That's amazing.

Safety is the #1 area of need for the Texans. DE is #2 followed closely be DT. I would love to see the Texans get Mays. I think he'll be gone by then though and I really don't see the Texans picking at 12. They'll probably pick around 18. I don't like Cook for this system. He's more of a Tampa 2 safety. Chung is good. William Moore has been a disappointment watching him this season, but you can't take anything away from his prior season when he had like 9 INTs. He'll definitely be there when the Texans pick. If he is, I'd rather see the Texans take a DE.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by bah007

I like Vontae Davis, but that is based entirely on potential. I wouldn't draft him for the Texans.

1. Jenkins (undisputed #1 CB)
2. Lindley (sticks to WRs like glue)
3. Moore (not the best in coverage, but just makes plays)
4. Smith (also a playmaker)

Cant believe no one here likes Victor Harris. The guy has ball hawking skills like no one we currently have and he can return kicks. Wouldnt be a bad 2nd round pick. This would allow us to trade Andre Davis Who is over paid IMO for what he brings to the table.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I think a big play S and a run stuffing DT are two highly important positions we need. From what I've seen, it doesn't really seem like this coaching staff is looking for a marquee kind of safety. I generally want us to complete our team by building the trenches strong- working from the inside out, but if a certain safety comes along I'll be happy with that. Landry ('07) has really been the only safety recently that I would have looked at early in the draft. Surprisingly, I haven't seen enough of Mays to have a confident opinion of him. USC is on tv all the time but I always seem to miss their game.

The S position is so hard for the casual fan, like me, to scout. Often, the aren't shown on TV until the very end of the play. The most important thing in a S for our team is their ability to react to the QB and the play. To see the play develop before it actually does and make the proper read/take the proper angle. I have been underwhelmed by our safeties' abilitiy to do this. I think if we can get a safety that can properly read an offense and has the athletic ability to cut the pass off, it would do WONDERS to our defense.

Mays has really been hyped up a lot, so it's natural for fans to try and tear him down. I think a DE like Orakpo will be gone, OLB like Curry will be gone, wouldn't mind a true #1 CB but we have a conglomerant (sp) of cb-talent back there that we may get by another year or two and see how they develop.

I think we gotta take the BPA at our pick, and really concentrate it on defense. I hope we pass on pure potential this year and grab a guy that has the football instincts/heart to make our team better. We gotta get a playmaker this year. And I'm thinking that big DT or S would have the most immediate impact.

[Goatcheese]

I would like to pick up Mike Hamlin out of Clemson in the third. Maybe second if he runs better than expected. 91 tackles, 6 picks, 7 passes defensed, and 1 sack in 2008, and 80 tackles, 4 ints in 2007. At 6'3 he would be a great fit as our SS.

Wilson isn't killing us over at FS, but I wouldn't mind picking up somebody to play that side either. I like Rashad Johnson from Alabama. 5 ints, 1 sack, 11 passes defenses and 82 tackles in 2008. 6 ints, and 94 tackles in 2007.

I could see the Texans trading down in the first to get Johnson. Fixing our Safeties in 1 season would be great. Getting two ballhawks back there would completely change the way this defense plays.