DT in 1st rd.

[aussie_texan]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

I'd run to the podium if Sheldon Richardson were available to us at #27, but it ain't happening. He and Watt on the same D-line would almost be illegal. He'd be a stud at 3-4 DE, we could release Antonio, and might be a JJ clone.

I think Floyd is more of a 4-3 UT and will make some team very happy, just not right for our system.

completely agree on everything on richardson. i would even contemplate trading up for him if he fell to late teens early 20s

[beerlover]

Texans just signed Jeff Zgonina as assistant DL coach. would be a great fit to mold a young nose like Williams or Short

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

I'd run to the podium if Sheldon Richardson were available to us at #27, but it ain't happening. He and Watt on the same D-line would almost be illegal. He'd be a stud at 3-4 DE, we could release Antonio, and might be a JJ clone.

I think Floyd is more of a 4-3 UT and will make some team very happy, just not right for our system.

A 4-3 UT should be able to transition to Phillips 1-gap 3-4 scheme. I think both of those guys would have to be looked at as Ends rather than NT's, which I'm not that high on taking an End in the first round.

Are all the highly rated DT's in this draft not a real fit for NT in the 3-4?

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by b0ng

A 4-3 UT should be able to transition to Phillips 1-gap 3-4 scheme. I think both of those guys would have to be looked at as Ends rather than NT's, which I'm not that high on taking an End in the first round.

Are all the highly rated DT's in this draft not a real fit for NT in the 3-4?

Versatility is important to Texans DL or OL. I don't see an issue taking a guy who could play or fit in multiple sets. What your asking for is a specialist? two down player or prototypical run plugger who can collapse the pocket like Vince Wilfork. If so, Brandon Williams is intriguing prospect that has the motor & stout presence Texans should covet.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Versatility is important to Texans DL or OL. I don't see an issue taking a guy who could play or fit in multiple sets. What your asking for is a specialist? two down player or prototypical run plugger who can collapse the pocket like Vince Wilfork. If so, Brandon Williams is intriguing prospect that has the motor & stout presence Texans should covet.

I don't know if specialist would be used to describe an NT. I think we could draft a guy (Maybe a good one in the first if certain players drop) that would be the middle guy on the DL while they are in their 3-4 formation. I still think if he's good enough he can get his way into the 3rd down formations the Texans like to run (if he's good enough). Are there none of those guys in the 1st round (That the Texans could have a shot at).

[IDEXAN]

I like the idea of using our top pick on a DT because while generally speaking this is not viewed a strong Draft, it is fairly strong thru the Dline and the idea is to have ones Draft based on the strength of the talent and not top need.
OK we do need a WR, but we've still got a second-round pick and 2 thirds for that (with the comp 3rd rounder we will most likely get for Mario), and as far as an ILB, we wouldn't use a top pick (1 or 2) for that position since Cushing is the only "full-time" ILB in Wade's defense, i. e., the other ILB isn't on the field in nicklel/pass-coverage downs.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

I like the idea of using our top pick on a DT because while generally speaking this is not viewed a strong Draft, it is fairly strong thru the Dline and the idea is to have ones Draft based on the strength of the talent and not top need.

If it's strong on DL, doesn't that mean you can get a good player in the later rounds?

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

If it's strong on DL, doesn't that mean you can get a good player in the later rounds?

This is a true statement. But, are you including DE's, which may also include OLB/DE hybrids? If you are only talking about DT's/NT's then it is only strong in the first 2 rounds IMO. Of course the Combine will tell us a lot more about some of these DT's/NT's like Brandon Williams. I've seen him ranked as high as the 2nd-3rd rounds (CBS Sports) and as low as the 5th-7th rounds (WalterFootball). So, nobody has a clear picture yet where some of these players will grade out.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

I like the idea of using our top pick on a DT because while generally speaking this is not viewed a strong Draft, it is fairly strong thru the Dline and the idea is to have ones Draft based on the strength of the talent and not top need.
OK we do need a WR, but we've still got a second-round pick and 2 thirds for that (with the comp 3rd rounder we will most likely get for Mario), and as far as an ILB, we wouldn't use a top pick (1 or 2) for that position since Cushing is the only "full-time" ILB in Wade's defense, i. e., the other ILB isn't on the field in nicklel/pass-coverage downs.

Thats because all our other ILB's suck in coverage. If we had another true 3 down ILB we wouldn't have to resort to putting players like Keo and Demps on the field. I guarantee you if Wade had another ILB that he trusted in coverage, he would rather leave him out there on passing downs than any of our current backup or third down defensive backs.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

If it's strong on DL, doesn't that mean you can get a good player in the later rounds?

Strong as in there are up to 9 DL in this draft that could potentially go in the first round. Im not talking about 4/3 DE's. I'm talking about DT's and 3/4 DE's.

Of course a couple of them could go early second. The drop off after them is pretty big. If we want one of the good ones we are going to have to use our first round pick on one.

[mussop]

Floyd and Williams of Bama are overated IMO. I wouldn't take Floyd for our team and I wouldn't tale Williams until the early third round. Jones is over rated on this board. He is a late second at best.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by mussop

Thats because all our other ILB's suck in coverage. If we had another true 3 down ILB we wouldn't have to resort to putting players like Keo and Demps on the field. I guarantee you if Wade had another ILB that he trusted in coverage, he would rather leave him out there on passing downs than any of our current backup or third down defensive backs.

I believe you. Either way, I'd like to see an upgrade at the ILB, or the safety position.

Either we get an ILB that can stay on the field, or we get a safety that will allow DManning to play center field.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by badboy

He may have had a good practise week but if they think he had a good game....

I watched him at the Senior Bowl practices as well & I wasn't overly impressed. He is massive, but he looked lazy at times. If he didn't get penetration on his initial burst off of the line then he seemed to shut it down & go thru the motions by either dancing or hand fighting w/ the o-lineman. His motor seemed questionable to say the least. The commentators even mentioned it & one labeled him a "faucet player" if I remember correctly. Meaning he was either on or off. No real in between. I love his size, but I believe there are better options. A big guy w/ slim to no motors reminds me of Frank Okam, which is a complete waste of size.

[steelbtexan]

As of now I dont think Richardson will fall to 27. But he would be a wrecking ball next to Watt on 3rd downs inside. With Mercilus and Cushing blitzing.

My top 5 picks for the Texans if they stay at 27 pre-combine are

1. Datone Jones
2. Justin Hunter
3. Xavier Rhodes
4. Brandon Williams
5.Terrance Williams

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

As of now I dont think Richardson will fall to 27. But he would be a wrecking ball next to Watt on 3rd downs inside. With Mercilus and Cushing blitzing.

My top 5 picks for the Texans if they stay at 27 pre-combine are

1. Datone Jones
2. Justin Hunter
3. Xavier Rhodes
4. Brandon Williams
5.Terrance Williams

I like Jones, Hunter, & T Williams. My questions would be about B. Williams & Rhodes. Don't you think Williams could possibly be had in the 2nd round & why Rhodes in the 1st unless you are just basing that on best available? I still have high hopes for Brandon Harris & haven't quite given up him. I realize cb's are always a plus, but I don't know about one in the 1st. Why no LB's also? I like Minter, Brown, & a few others & it definitely seems to be a need position.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

I like Jones, Hunter, & T Williams. My questions would be about B. Williams & Rhodes. Don't you think Williams could possibly be had in the 2nd round & why Rhodes in the 1st unless you are just basing that on best available? I still have high hopes for Brandon Harris & haven't quite given up him. I realize cb's are always a plus, but I don't know about one in the 1st. Why no LB's also? I like Minter, Brown, & a few others & it definitely seems to be a need position.

These guys are my BPA.

I like Minter, he's #8 on my list.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

The guys at Walter Football saw it differently:
And they're even saying he's on the Texan's radar, "I've been told that John Jenkins is a strong option for the Texans at No. 27 if they can't land one of the two SEC linebackers... "

Here is what Rotoworld said about Jenkins recently:
Georgia NT John Jenkins measured 6-foot-3 5/8 and 346 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.
He's shed 13 pounds since the Senior Bowl after weighing 359 in Mobile. An obviously massive figure, Jenkins has drawn criticism from evaluators for taking plays off and being a "teddy bear." He's an early- to mid-round prospect.
Source: Bryan Broaddus on Twitter Feb 23 - 8:02 AM

A "Teddy bear" is probably not what we want or need to solve our issues at NT. The high motor type has been a growing trend w/ the Texans on defense & from what I've seen & read, Jenkins is not our man IMO.

[badboy]

Dropping weight is a start but needs to crank it up a bit. This is not the draft to take risks at need position.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Here is what Rotoworld said about Jenkins recently:
Georgia NT John Jenkins measured 6-foot-3 5/8 and 346 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.
He's shed 13 pounds since the Senior Bowl after weighing 359 in Mobile. An obviously massive figure, Jenkins has drawn criticism from evaluators for taking plays off and being a "teddy bear." He's an early- to mid-round prospect.
Source: Bryan Broaddus on Twitter Feb 23 - 8:02 AM

A "Teddy bear" is probably not what we want or need to solve our issues at NT. The high motor type has been a growing trend w/ the Texans on defense & from what I've seen & read, Jenkins is not our man IMO.

A big guy like Jenkins can go to the bathroom and lose 5 lbs., he needs to get serious with his weight loss. Put him on a treadmill until he passes out and then do it again the next day, or send him to the Biggest Loser show and Jillian will get some pounds off of him. He'll need to be in much better physical condition for the NFL. Of course a summer of workouts in Houston will melt some lbs. off of him. This is a very good DT class and it would be risky to take Jenkins in the 1st when there are other very good NT prospects available like Short, J. Williams, or S. Williams.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

JMO:

Star Lotulelei, OMG I see why this guy is so highly rated. I haven't really watched tape on him until recently because he was out of our range, but he'd be a guy that if he fell out of the top 15 for some reason I'd trade up to get him.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Lotulelei’s left ventricle is pumping at 44 percent efficiency, below the normal range of 55 percent to 70 percent. As a result, Lotulelei will leave Indianapolis without going through any workouts.

Lotulelei’s condition was discovered via an echocardiogram conducted as part of the normal Combine medical evaluation. He will now return home to Utah to undergo more tests.

ESPN’s Scouts, Inc. ranks Lotulelei as the No. 1 overall player in this year’s draft, at any position. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock calls Lotulelei the second-best defensive tackle in the draft.

link

This is NOT good for the young man. Ejection fraction refers to the percent of blood volume that the heart is able to pump out (eject) compared to the the maximum fill volume. For a young athlete, this could mean a heart muscle disease in the form of an emperically weak heart muscle, or hypertrophy (extreme thickening of the heart walls) or extreme dilation of the heart chamber(s) or scarring of the heart muscle (from many cause such as infection, auto-immune disease or trauma, or past heart attacks). This is what is found in the condition of what you might know as heart failure or congestive heart failure. The ejection fraction problems are what can and have been involved in "sudden death" on the field occuring in otherwise normal appearing/performing athletes. Depending on what the source of his problem, it would hardly be surprising if he never steps on an NFL field. But we'll have to see. No matter what the outcome, a tough situation for an elite athlete that has come so far.