Rmartin65's January Mock

[rmartin65]

1) Idaho OG Mike Iupati, 6’5” 330
The Texans need to solidify the OL. To put it simply, our starting 5 cannot cut it. Brown and Winston are legit talents, and Brisiel still has some potential. Pitts is a good backup now, if he is resigned. Enter Iupati, a raw player with loads of untapped potential. Unless he blows up at the combine and the switch to LT talk starts up, he should be available. Iupati is All Pro OG potential.

2) Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, 6’1” 235
We all know the pros and cons of Gerhart, there is not much to talk about by now. Gerhart is the most physically punishing back in the draft, and has above average speed for his size. Put him behind Iupati and my next pick, and our short yard game just got loads better. Slaton could drop the weight, and revert back to his pre-season form. 800 yards and 10 TDs are not out of the question for Gerhart as a rookie.

3) Baylor OC J.D. Walton, 6’4” 305
Walton’s draft stock is lower than it should be because he played for Baylor. I still worry he won’t be available here, but I could not pass this up. The 300 pound Walton is very athletic for his size, and is equally gifted in the blocking for the run and the pass. With Iupati, Caldwell and Walton, the Texans interior OL (and the whole OL in general with Brown and Winston) will be set for the next 10 years.

4) Oklahoma CB/FS Brian Jackson, 6’ 203
Jackson is a talent at corner. Slower than one would want for a franchise corner, Jackson is an ideal number 2 corner. He plays the run very well, which could result in a switch to FS. We still need a legit number 1 corner, but this should lessen the blow if DRob leaves in FA.

5) Iowa ILB Pat Angerer, 6’ 235
Yep, ILB is not a need here. But you don’t pass up football players. Angerer is a football player. And once I thought about it more, depth at ILB is a good idea here in the 5th. He will be able to play on special teams as well.

5) Florida State SS Myron Rolle, 6’2” 223
Some of you may doubt Rolle lasting this far. He has taken a year off from football, and that will hurt his stock immensely. Remember Maurice Clarrett after his hiatus? Rolle may not contribute immediately as a rookie, but is very intelligent and can learn behind Pollard.

6) Alabama K Leigh Tiffin, 6’1’ 212
I am sick of Kris Brown. Enough said.

7) Wyoming DT/DE John Fletcher, 6’6” 275
It just came down to value here. I decided to pick a football player with some versatility. He wont wow anyone in the weight room, but I like the effort he gives on the field. He will play on special teams, he blocked 3 kicks last year.

Alright, tear it up!

[Dan B.]

Agree with most of your picks, although I would probably target a DB rather than 3 offensive "Day 1" picks.

I'll be really surprised if Rolle falls that far. I know he took a year off and that surely has an effect, but I don't think the Clarett comparison was an accurate one. There are no character issues with Rolle whatsoever -- dude was a Rhodes Scholar for crying out loud. Especially considering his NFL pedigree (which teams usually do seem to factor) he's a "good risk." Teams are usually willing to go a little farther out on a limb for these types of guys. To put it in basketball terms sometimes it works (David Robinson), sometimes it doesn't (Shawn Bradley). But it's more likely that some owner/coach will take a chance on a guy with Rolle's pedigree than one who was all over police blotters before ditching his school after 1 season.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by Dan B.

Agree with most of your picks, although I would probably target a DB rather than 3 offensive "Day 1" picks.

I'll be really surprised if Rolle falls that far. I know he took a year off and that surely has an effect, but I don't think the Clarett comparison was an accurate one. There are no character issues with Rolle whatsoever -- dude was a Rhodes Scholar for crying out loud. He's a "good risk." Teams are usually willing to go a little farther out on a limb for these types of guys. To put it in basketball terms sometimes it works (David Robinson), sometimes it doesn't (Shawn Bradley). But it's more likely that some owner/coach will take a chance on a guy with Rolle's pedigree than one who was all over police blotters before ditching his school after 1 season.

I could not find a DB on my board that I liked better than Walton at round 3. He was just too great of value.

I agree with what you said about Rolle. Good player, great character. But I think people are overrating his talent. I had him as a 3rd/4th rounder at the end of last year, and taking a year off is a killer. He made the right decision though.

A UDFA I would target is Minnesota's ILB Lee Campbell, especially if Angerer is not drafted. Dude is just a badass.

[Wolf6151]

1. Iupati, I'm warming to this pick in the 1st round though not totally sold on it yet as the best value pick. I think this pick stands a better chance of happening now that we've changed OC/O-line coaches. I think Dennison will be better for our O-line than Gibbs was.

2. Gerhart, I think picking him here is over valuing him and that if you want a RB there are others that are better suited for us.

3. Walton, there's alot of good players to be had here and Walton is one of them. I don't think he'd play much, if at all since Kubiak is in love with Myers, his rookie year but he'd be a good building block for the future. He'd probably start in his 2nd season after Kubiak gets fired a year from now.

4. Jackson, I don't know much about this guy but by your description he's a #2 CB and we're loaded with #2 CB's. I just don't see that he would add anything here, he'd get lost on the depth chart. We need talent at the top. I'd move Rolle up to here, a better chance of getting him, great depth behind Pollard and should be great on special teams.

5. Angerer, I don't know anything about this guy but LB isn't a need position. I'd pick a different position of need like DT, FS, OG etc...

5. Rolle, good player, good pick but doubtful that he's available here. I think he stands a decent chance of going in the late 3rd round.

6. Tiffin, I like this pick alot, good competition for Brown in camp.

7. Fletcher, I don't know anything about this guy and 7th round picks stand little chance of making anyone team, thus the reason I'd take a P here. At least a P would make the team and not be a waste of a pick.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

1. Iupati, I'm warming to this pick in the 1st round though not totally sold on it yet as the best value pick. I think this pick stands a better chance of happening now that we've changed OC/O-line coaches. I think Dennison will be better for our O-line than Gibbs was.

2. Gerhart, I think picking him here is over valuing him and that if you want a RB there are others that are better suited for us.

3. Walton, there's alot of good players to be had here and Walton is one of them. I don't think he'd play much, if at all since Kubiak is in love with Myers, his rookie year but he'd be a good building block for the future. He'd probably start in his 2nd season after Kubiak gets fired a year from now.

4. Jackson, I don't know much about this guy but by your description he's a #2 CB and we're loaded with #2 CB's. I just don't see that he would add anything here, he'd get lost on the depth chart. We need talent at the top. I'd move Rolle up to here, a better chance of getting him, great depth behind Pollard and should be great on special teams.

5. Angerer, I don't know anything about this guy but LB isn't a need position. I'd pick a different position of need like DT, FS, OG etc...

5. Rolle, good player, good pick but doubtful that he's available here. I think he stands a decent chance of going in the late 3rd round.

6. Tiffin, I like this pick alot, good competition for Brown in camp.

7. Fletcher, I don't know anything about this guy and 7th round picks stand little chance of making anyone team, thus the reason I'd take a P here. At least a P would make the team and not be a waste of a pick.

Iupati is a good player, well worth our pick.

I respectfully diagree with you about Gerhart. I think that he is a perfect fit for this offense.

I wanted to grab a DB here. I figured by adding yet another CB/FS, we would get depth at two positions. A true lock down corner is a first round pick, wont get one much later than that.

LB is an area of need when you look at the depth. Behind DeMeco we have... Bentley. Angerer will provide better depth. Again, this late in the draft you wont find starting material players (most likely. It happens, but one should not plan on it.).

I hate drafting punters and kickers when a team already has a decent one. It is not like those positions take alot of adapting at the pro level. Turk is going to be back for one more year, we will take one in the 2011 draft. Or better yet, pick one up in FA. Fletcher is a special teams and depth player. 3rd string DE, 3rd string DT, and on the coverage unit (FG and Punt).

[Maddict5]

clarrett was still drafted in the 3rd after looking bad at workouts pre-draft

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

1) Idaho OG Mike Iupati, 6’5” 330
The Texans need to solidify the OL. To put it simply, our starting 5 cannot cut it. Brown and Winston are legit talents, and Brisiel still has some potential. Pitts is a good backup now, if he is resigned. Enter Iupati, a raw player with loads of untapped potential. Unless he blows up at the combine and the switch to LT talk starts up, he should be available. Iupati is All Pro OG potential.

2) Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, 6’1” 235
We all know the pros and cons of Gerhart, there is not much to talk about by now. Gerhart is the most physically punishing back in the draft, and has above average speed for his size. Put him behind Iupati and my next pick, and our short yard game just got loads better. Slaton could drop the weight, and revert back to his pre-season form. 800 yards and 10 TDs are not out of the question for Gerhart as a rookie.

3) Baylor OC J.D. Walton, 6’4” 305
Walton’s draft stock is lower than it should be because he played for Baylor. I still worry he won’t be available here, but I could not pass this up. The 300 pound Walton is very athletic for his size, and is equally gifted in the blocking for the run and the pass. With Iupati, Caldwell and Walton, the Texans interior OL (and the whole OL in general with Brown and Winston) will be set for the next 10 years.

4) Oklahoma CB/FS Brian Jackson, 6’ 203
Jackson is a talent at corner. Slower than one would want for a franchise corner, Jackson is an ideal number 2 corner. He plays the run very well, which could result in a switch to FS. We still need a legit number 1 corner, but this should lessen the blow if DRob leaves in FA.

5) Iowa ILB Pat Angerer, 6’ 235
Yep, ILB is not a need here. But you don’t pass up football players. Angerer is a football player. And once I thought about it more, depth at ILB is a good idea here in the 5th. He will be able to play on special teams as well.

5) Florida State SS Myron Rolle, 6’2” 223
Some of you may doubt Rolle lasting this far. He has taken a year off from football, and that will hurt his stock immensely. Remember Maurice Clarrett after his hiatus? Rolle may not contribute immediately as a rookie, but is very intelligent and can learn behind Pollard.

6) Alabama K Leigh Tiffin, 6’1’ 212
I am sick of Kris Brown. Enough said.

7) Wyoming DT/DE John Fletcher, 6’6” 275
It just came down to value here. I decided to pick a football player with some versatility. He wont wow anyone in the weight room, but I like the effort he gives on the field. He will play on special teams, he blocked 3 kicks last year.

Alright, tear it up!

Iupati - safe/need
Gerhart - value/need
Walton - value/need
Jackson -value/projected need
Angerer - value/need
Rolle - extreme value/need
Tiffen - value/dire need
Fletcher - value/need

good, safe haul

[Honoring Earl 34]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

1) Idaho OG Mike Iupati, 6’5” 330
The Texans need to solidify the OL. To put it simply, our starting 5 cannot cut it. Brown and Winston are legit talents, and Brisiel still has some potential. Pitts is a good backup now, if he is resigned. Enter Iupati, a raw player with loads of untapped potential. Unless he blows up at the combine and the switch to LT talk starts up, he should be available. Iupati is All Pro OG potential.

2) Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, 6’1” 235
We all know the pros and cons of Gerhart, there is not much to talk about by now. Gerhart is the most physically punishing back in the draft, and has above average speed for his size. Put him behind Iupati and my next pick, and our short yard game just got loads better. Slaton could drop the weight, and revert back to his pre-season form. 800 yards and 10 TDs are not out of the question for Gerhart as a rookie.

3) Baylor OC J.D. Walton, 6’4” 305
Walton’s draft stock is lower than it should be because he played for Baylor. I still worry he won’t be available here, but I could not pass this up. The 300 pound Walton is very athletic for his size, and is equally gifted in the blocking for the run and the pass. With Iupati, Caldwell and Walton, the Texans interior OL (and the whole OL in general with Brown and Winston) will be set for the next 10 years.

4) Oklahoma CB/FS Brian Jackson, 6’ 203
Jackson is a talent at corner. Slower than one would want for a franchise corner, Jackson is an ideal number 2 corner. He plays the run very well, which could result in a switch to FS. We still need a legit number 1 corner, but this should lessen the blow if DRob leaves in FA.

5) Iowa ILB Pat Angerer, 6’ 235
Yep, ILB is not a need here. But you don’t pass up football players. Angerer is a football player. And once I thought about it more, depth at ILB is a good idea here in the 5th. He will be able to play on special teams as well.

5) Florida State SS Myron Rolle, 6’2” 223
Some of you may doubt Rolle lasting this far. He has taken a year off from football, and that will hurt his stock immensely. Remember Maurice Clarrett after his hiatus? Rolle may not contribute immediately as a rookie, but is very intelligent and can learn behind Pollard.

6) Alabama K Leigh Tiffin, 6’1’ 212
I am sick of Kris Brown. Enough said.

7) Wyoming DT/DE John Fletcher, 6’6” 275
It just came down to value here. I decided to pick a football player with some versatility. He wont wow anyone in the weight room, but I like the effort he gives on the field. He will play on special teams, he blocked 3 kicks last year.

Alright, tear it up!

My latest and greatest mock was Iupati , Pouncey , and Dixon . We are on the same page .

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Honoring Earl 34

My latest and greatest mock was Iupati , Pouncey , and Dixon . We are on the same page .

I would LOVE that draft!!!!!! I dont even care who we draft after that.

[Big Poundcake]

I like the Myron Rolle pick.

[Corrosion]

Iupati is my #1 as well unless Earl Thomas is still on the board .... That would shake up my entire draft.

We all know Im not real big on Gerhart - But I can live with him in the second round. Despite the concerns I have about Gerhart - He is the type of back this team needs. - I might be tempted to take Pouncey here if he's still on the board.

J.D. Walton - Im not so sure he's gonna fall that far but I like the pick.

Brian Jackson Good pick

Pat Angerer I could get on board with this one too - Good player.

Myron Rolle - Not sure he lasts past the 4th but if he's still here at this point I'd be pretty satisfied with the choice.

Leigh Tiffin - Im sick of Kris Brown too! Tiffin's been clutch for the Tide.

[steelbtexan]

Iupati- My no.1 choice if he's there when the Texans pick.

Gerhart- I would draft a DB like Ghee or Spievey, I can see the Gerhart pick though

Walton- Good player, probably would go RB or DT here, I think Walton will fall to the 4th rd. Not sure Walton fits the ZBS but I like his talent. Tough guy

Jackson- Like Franks better he's got more natural ability (and I'm a homer Franks is from Orange) he just needs to be coached up. I can understand the Jackson pick though.

Angerer- Great college player, Smithiak will probably be looking at a more atheletic OLB at this spot. Dakota Watson is my favorite. If DeMeco were to get hurt Diles could slide into the MLB spot or Bentley can play that spot too.

Rolle- Love this pick, Hope he falls this far, I like your reasoning for why it could happen.

Tiffin- Dont know why I dont like the pick but I just dont. Would rather sign a proven reliable K like Matt Stover in FA. I like Lawrence or Swenson better than Tiffin if they draft a rookie K.

Fletcher- Dont know anything about him

If Smithiak were to go all offense in rds 1-3 the Iupati,Pouncey,Dixon draft is the way I would go. The OL would be set for the next 8/10 yrs and Dixon while maybe/maybe not is a good version of Gerhart. I also think after Gerhart runs at the combine he may fall to the Texans in the 3rd rd. Too much emphasis will be placed on Gerharts 40 time. IMO

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by Maddict5

clarrett was still drafted in the 3rd after looking bad at workouts pre-draft

That is kind of my point. He sat out, still got drafted, and was a total bust. I know he and Rolle were in completely different situations, but I see GMs being hesitant to draft someone that has not hit a guy in a year.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

That is kind of my point. He sat out, still got drafted, and was a total bust. I know he and Rolle were in completely different situations, but I see GMs being hesitant to draft someone that has not hit a guy in a year.

can't imagine comparing Clarrett to Rolle in any way shape or form playing/not playing

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by beerlover

can't imagine comparing Clarrett to Rolle in any way shape or form playing/not playing

Yeah, but it makes sense to me. The last player that sat out a year, no team activity or contact, failed miserably. Yes, Rolle missed it because he is an exceptional human being, but that does not exempt him from being rusty.

I had him as a 3rd rounder after last year. Good player, but not the all star people make him out to be. I think he falls after taking a year off. He would need to blow up at the combine, and personally I would be surprised if he runs under a 4.65.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

If Smithiak were to go all offense in rds 1-3 the Iupati,Pouncey,Dixon draft is the way I would go. The OL would be set for the next 8/10 yrs and Dixon while maybe/maybe not is a good version of Gerhart. I also think after Gerhart runs at the combine he may fall to the Texans in the 3rd rd. Too much emphasis will be placed on Gerharts 40 time. IMO

That top three is a dream haul for us fans ..... I just cant see Kubiak spending premium picks on not one but two interior OL spots. It goes against what they have done in the past picking their OL in the later rounds.

I'd be VERY happy with that top 3. The only better haul I could envision for this team is that Earl Thomas falls to the Texans and they get Jon Asamoah in the second and Dixon/Gerhart in the third.


As for Gerhart - What do you expect his 40 time to be ? 4.6 - 4.65 ?

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by Corrosion

That top three is a dream haul for us fans ..... I just cant see Kubiak spending premium picks on not one but two interior OL spots. It goes against what they have done in the past picking their OL in the later rounds.

I'd be VERY happy with that top 3. The only better haul I could envision for this team is that Earl Thomas falls to the Texans and they get Jon Asamoah in the second and Dixon/Gerhart in the third.


As for Gerhart - What do you expect his 40 time to be ? 4.6 - 4.65 ?

That would be good. If Thomas and Iupati are gone I wouldn't be shocked to see Smithiak draft Dwyer in the 1st.

Gerhart should run 4.6/4.65. Good catch on how he carries the ball and potential fumbling problems.

The fumbling problems scare me after watching the Texans RB's turn the ball over repeatedly last year. I've dropped Gerhart down to the 3rd or 4th rd because of them.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

That would be good. If Thomas and Iupati are gone I wouldn't be shocked to see Smithiak draft Dwyer in the 1st.

Gerhart should run 4.6/4.65. Good catch on how he carries the ball and potential fumbling problems.

The fumbling problems scare me after watching the Texans RB's turn the ball over repeatedly last year. I've dropped Gerhart down to the 3rd or 4th rd because of them.

I was thinking exactly those numbers when I asked the question .... If thats what he runs I think he may fall to the mid to late 3rd.

The backs turning the ball over , especially in the redzone are the biggest reason why this team is not in the playoffs. Adding another back who will potentially put the ball on the turf often isnt my idea of job security for Kubiak. If he expects to be here beyond next season this team has to make a playoff appearance. Turnovers are the biggest single reason teams lose games.

If the Texans do draft Gerhart I hope they work with him on keeping the ball in contact with his body at all times. Other than that I think he is exactly the type of back this team needs to take the next step.

[TheRealJoker]

Is Angerer projected to go that late? I know he's most likely a two down LB in the pros but he's a tackling machine. Stud LB imo. If we could get him then we could move Bentley to SAM and get rid of Thompson. Angerer would be a beast on ST for us.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by TheRealJoker

Is Angerer projected to go that late? I know he's most likely a two down LB in the pros but he's a tackling machine. Stud LB imo. If we could get him then we could move Bentley to SAM and get rid of Thompson. Angerer would be a beast on ST for us.

I was really surprised when I was doing the research. The way I do my mocks and predictions is I rate the players how I view them, and then use a couple sites to help refine my thought processes a bit, in addition to the valuable and intelligent discussion on this board. I have Angerer as a 4th, nobody else I have seen has him above the 5th. Looking at the talent available at ILB in this draft (Spikes, McClain, Washington, Johnson, Lee all ahead of Angerer) I could put Angerer in the 5th without feeling like I was being to liberal with my player placement.

The reasons you gave are the exact reason I want him. Not exactly a need, but it is a good pickup.