Another terribly early 2013 Texans mock.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by beerlover

This is my terribly early Texans Mock Draft for 2013 - (hopefully Texans select 32nd).

First Round: Jake Matthews, OT(Jr.) 6-5 305 Texas A&M

Lock down right side with ability to swing over if needed left side without losing a step. Texans OL would be officially loaded to help keep Schawb healthy as he takes hometown discount to extend his career as a Houston Texan. This is a great value too if he opts out to enter the NFL early.

Second Round: Kevin Reddick, ILB, 6-2 240 North Carolina

DeMeco was shipped off without having his legitimate replacement compounded with some bad luck to Sharpton's recovery, I think its time to move on & upgrade with elite talent for position.

Third Round: Josh Boyd, DT/NT, 6-3 300 Mississippi State

I honestly don't think Texans have a true starter, even with Cody not injured playing nose tackle. Mike Martin, Michigan was pounded to be selected in the 3rd round by many draft posters here, the need remains & trigger needs to be pulled to address interior DL.

Fourth Round: Michael Williams, TE, 6-5 272 Alabama

Texans need a true blocking TE especially in short yardage & goal-line stands. Williams is a massive, powerful & athletic blocker who can help seal the edge or create cut-back lanes for Foster & Tate. The 4th rd. has been a popular choice for Kubiak/Smith to take a TE.

Fifth Round: Dan Buckner, WR, 6-3 215 Arizona

Feel good about LeStar Jean's progress year two as undrafted free agent. Buckner is sort of carbon-copy, long-strider, deep threat & field stretcher. His teammate, Juron Criner, a far more polished WR taken 5th rd. by Oakland & looking good in camp so far.

Sixth Round: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, 6-0 192 Connecticut

Big cover corner coming off Knee injury. If he fully recovers in less than one year (doubt it) he could still be on the board late? Texans will probably take a shot every draft in secondary when a player meets their system requirements.

Seventh Round: Carson York, OG, 6-5 292 Oregon

ZBS guard with experience both sides. Very quick, technically sound. See his stock rising, have really been impressed with Duck OL now for several years & they always seem to produce decent late round prospects who stick. Center Hroniss Grasu could be the highest Duck OL drafted in years when he comes out in a couple years, his play is outstanding.

enjoy

I am down with 1st and 3rd but like 65 I am concerned about Riddick. If you remember I mocked him before but want to watch him. Matthews being there is slight but possible and he will be a starter just not until Smith is gone. He could replace Butler who is a FA.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

Great to see your mock BL.

I really like going OT in the first, and Matthews is as good as any OT eligible for the draft. If he is there, money.

Again, I really like the position you are taking here, but unlike your first round pick, I dont really like Reddick. I dont know why, maybe I just need to watch UNC more (and I do plan to this season), but something about the guy just seems off. There are some Big 10 inside 'backers that should be available in the 3rd round that I am more interested in.

Dang BL, do you have my draft needs sheet or something? I really like grabbing a NT. I dont know a ton about your guy, but he is a proven talent in the rough and tough SEC. I will definitely keep an eye on him this year.

Seriously, you are taking my notes. While I am planning on drafting a TE earlier than you have here, I like the fact that you target the position early. However, he is definitely more of a blocking TE than what I am looking for. If OD is healthy, then that is great. We could use a blocking specialist (remember the pick of Hill out of NCState a couple years ago). But if OD remains to be an injury risk, and GG goes not step up, we could use a more established receiver at the position.

Buckner has the look of a number 2 receiver. Sign me up.

I dont know anything about the CB, but I think that grabbing some depth late is a pretty solid idea.

And I dont know anything about York either, but again, I like grabbing depth along the OL.

In summation, I would be stoked if the real draft turned out around these lines.

Awesome!

Here's the deal & we can work it from here. Gotta have Boyd, better chance in. 2nd anyway so replace Riddick with him & insert your choice of Big 10 ILB for 3rd round.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Awesome!

Here's the deal & we can work it from here. Gotta have Boyd, better chance in. 2nd anyway so replace Riddick with him & insert your choice of Big 10 ILB for 3rd round.

Haha, deal.

Wisconsin's Chris Borland would be my 3rd rounder in this scenario. He is short (5'11"), but not undersized at 250 lbs. He is one of those players that you see on tape and go "that guy there is a football player".

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

Haha, deal.

Wisconsin's Chris Borland would be my 3rd rounder in this scenario. He is short (5'11"), but not undersized at 250 lbs. He is one of those players that you see on tape and go "that guy there is a football player".

Love Borland,

BL, This is a great preseason mock.

WR is also looks very deep and Mettenberger might be a very good late 1st/2nd rd pick.

Although I've just started looking at next yrs draft.

[Wolf6151]

BL, here's my analysis of your latest mock. Honestly you provided me with several names I wasn't familiar with so I had to do some homework and read up on some of these guys. I like what I read on most of them. Overall good job though we differ on the priority of some positions you've got good players and some guys worth keeping a close eye on.

The only player I didn't like was Michael Williams-TE, I agree with the need at the positions but I'd like a guy who's more of a pass catcher and Williams seems mostly to be a blocking TE. It is a weak TE class though so finding a guy in the 4th is hard.

I'd also like for York to add some weight/bulk but at 6'05" adding some weight without losing agility/athleticism should be easy.

[76Texan]

Who can we find as big MoFo at MIKE now that Wade wants to see Cushing at the MO?

This guy also needs to be able to stay with a TE in the short area.

Or do you guys think James can hold up for a few more years?

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Who can we find as big MoFo at MIKE now that Wade wants to see Cushing at the MO?

This guy also needs to be able to stay with a TE in the short area.

Or do you guys think James can hold up for a few more years?

I don't see ILB as that big of a need, remember it's only a 2 down position anyway since Cushing will stay in the game and the other ILB will come out on nickle or dime coverage. I also think that James is adequate yet unspectacular at the position, while Dobbins appears to me to be even better than James. There's also Alexander and Louiseau, who I think makes the practice squad as depth. That's 4 guys vying for 1 starting spot plus depth, and in case of emergency I think Braman could handle the ILB spot adequately if necessary. Thus I don't think we'd spend anything more than a 5th round pick here if that.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

I don't see ILB as that big of a need, remember it's only a 2 down position anyway since Cushing will stay in the game and the other ILB will come out on nickle or dime coverage. I also think that James is adequate yet unspectacular at the position, while Dobbins appears to me to be even better than James. There's also Alexander and Louiseau, who I think makes the practice squad as depth. That's 4 guys vying for 1 starting spot plus depth, and in case of emergency I think Braman could handle the ILB spot adequately if necessary. Thus I don't think we'd spend anything more than a 5th round pick here if that.

Agreed, except I could see us spending as high as a 3rd on an ilb and maybe higher just depending on who falls where.

Nothing wrong with having a guy that can step in if Cushing misses time and also be a stand out on special teams.

But like you said I don't think that would be a priority and more of a luxury.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Who can we find as big MoFo at MIKE now that Wade wants to see Cushing at the MO?

This guy also needs to be able to stay with a TE in the short area.

Or do you guys think James can hold up for a few more years?

I would not like to rely on James for more than this year. Sure he may be able to play for a couple years, but it is simply not prudent to not have a future starter at the ready.

However, there are not a lot of "big MoFo" types that are highly rated as of yet. Most of the guys that caught my eye last year were the playmakers at the position. And I think that if we had 2 playmaking ILBs, that Wade could create one hell of a defense. Just so long as both ILBs can withstand the punishment of taking on the OL every now and again.

[beerlover]

I like Brady, excellent pick up similar to Manning. To go one on one with Jimmy Graham is asking alot. No safety help? Blown coverage or by design? Texans have to game plan better against such a weapon to take him out of the game. Big CB. McMannis or Ball. Or a Wreh-Wilson. RT is gonna be a problem. NT? Texans don't have one who can play everydown. Schaub/Yates need more protection, Williams is like an extra OT, which helps pick up blitzes. WR? Big problem. Didn't know Posey was out but I need to see some production from somebody else not named Andre. Oh yeah, did I mention OL depth a concern?

[badboy]

I think many of us will be watching ILBs, OGs and OTs this college season. Did you see that DeCastro injured his knee? That has to impact Uncle Ben.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/sports/r...00b_story.html

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by badboy

I think many of us will be watching ILBs, OGs and OTs this college season. Did you see that DeCastro injured his knee? That has to impact Uncle Ben.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/sports/r...00b_story.html

I saw that yesterday, really sucks for him to lose his rookie season. Hopefully he'll be back good as new next year.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by badboy

I am down with 1st and 3rd but like 65 I am concerned about Riddick. If you remember I mocked him before but want to watch him. Matthews being there is slight but possible and he will be a starter just not until Smith is gone. He could replace Butler who is a FA.

I think Matthews will be there in the late 1st round. This past year, OTs that were highly rated around the draft community were falling well into the second round. It seems that teams were valuing the OT position (mainly RT) as less important than other needs, mainly on defense. That might be due to the explosive offensive season we just witnessed last year though. Plus, there are about 6-9 OTs that are rated to go in the 1st/2nd rounds, so there should be plenty of talent for the Texans to choose a good one. Both of the Texas A&M OTs are going to be drafting this year, and I'd be happy with either one of them.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I think Matthews will be there in the late 1st round. This past year, OTs that were highly rated around the draft community were falling well into the second round. It seems that teams were valuing the OT position (mainly RT) as less important than other needs, mainly on defense. That might be due to the explosive offensive season we just witnessed last year though. Plus, there are about 6-9 OTs that are rated to go in the 1st/2nd rounds, so there should be plenty of talent for the Texans to choose a good one. Both of the Texas A&M OTs are going to be drafting this year, and I'd be happy with either one of them.

My initial reaction when re doing my mock was Matthews in first and Travis Frederick OG/Center Wisconsin in second. I thought Newton would lock RT and Caldwell or Jones would back up Brooks at RG. My concerns about DBs over ruled.

[Wolf6151]

At this time I think it's pretty obvious we need to get alot better at RT, no one should disagree with that statement, but I don't think RT is a 1st round need. There are many good OT's in next years draft and I think a very good RT can be had in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Right now CBS has 11 OT's ranked as 3rd round or higher candidates, and Walterfootball has 14 as being worth at least a 3rd round pick. I know those numbers will change between now and April, but I agree with DR's observation that RT does not need to be a 1st round pick. Also next years draft seems to be pretty deep at many positions so expect, like this year, some pretty good talent to fall and be had in the middle rounds. Hopefully we'll all be pleasantly surprised by the improvement of Newton during the season, we'll decide that RT isn't a big need after all and we only need a new swing OT as depth.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Brooks has surprisingly quick feet for a man his size, not so much speed which means he can get in front & stay in front of edge rushers. Got me to thinking when you brought up the future of Texans OL. How about this, Duane Brown LT, Derek Newton LG, Myers Center, Ben Jones RG & Brandon Brooks RT? Brandon actually has superior arm length to Winston would bring back pancaking off edge, pulling downfield & destroying people in the running game that Winston was so adept at doing. Jones is nasty in tight space, will fight scratch & claw to protect his QB & can reach the second level in ZBS as well. Newton is athletic, stunning hand punch would lock down left side with Duane. Mondek will replace Butler as the swing tackle. That would make-up the no fun, don't want to face that Texan OL which could dominate opponents.

Draft related, if this is not applicable then I might just target OT with 1st selection? Can't go wrong with a Matthews, Jake is another in long line of talented NFL pedigree who would solidify an already talented, young OL.

What do you guys think about Brooks getting some reps @ RT now

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

What do you guys think about Brooks getting some reps @ RT now

This needs to happen.

God forbid if anything happens to Brown at LT.

[badboy]

Ryan Harris? Best we could do I guess but his 3 back surgeries concern me. Wonder who we tried to trade Nolan for?

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by badboy

Ryan Harris? Best we could do I guess but his 3 back surgeries concern me. Wonder who we tried to trade Nolan for?

When drafted, Ryan's durability was considered a plus, four year starter for Notre Dame. If not for injury he would still be a Bronco, they may live to regret this move & Texans could very well have saved their QB/season, hence worth the risk

I think it would be fitting if were to start week 3 in Denver against his old team

ps watched the Arkansas State Oregon game tonight & starting an untested, Red Wolf does not inspire much confidence in my viewpoint.

[beerlover]

the redshirt freshman QB from Oregon, Mario-Ta maybe the best prospect I've ever seen at his position. stay posted.