Casserly mocking up the 1st round

[Lucky]

Has the Texans moving down to #21 for Joe Staley.

2007 NFL Mock Draft
10. Houston Texans Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi -- They are talking to Denver as I write this pick. If Denver gets the pick it will be a defensive player, probably either Patrick Willis or the best defensive lineman, but I would give them Willis here. We will talk about Houston in Denver's slot.

21. Denver Broncos Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan -- Denver wants an impact defensive player and realizes that there will not be one there at No. 21, so that is why they want to trade with Houston. Houston wants to get a left OT (because they are unsure of Charles Spencer's return from his broken leg of last year) and pick up an extra draft pick or two. Many people have Staley as the third OT, but Tony Ugoh is making a late run to get in the first round, with five visits last week.

Also has Dwayne Jarrett going to the Titans. I hope that does not happen. Actually, it looks like a pretty realistic mock.

[TEXANS84]

Yeah, realistic is what I'm thinking.

I've decided not to go to the draft party because of this outcome. I don't want ot be down there for 4 hours to see the first draft pick.

But for once, I do believe that Casserly is right. We'll trade down. And I think it's a good thing to do.

[gwallaia]

Would we get in return from Denver?

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by gwallaia

Would we get in return from Denver?

He doesn't say. The rumor is the Broncos 2nd and another pick. Their picks at #21, #56, and #86 are a perfect match on Jimmy Johnson's draft value board to the Texans pick at #10.

[awtysst]

Originally Posted by gwallaia

Would we get in return from Denver?

Swap firsts and then get their second and third this year. If they were willing to go second this year and second next year(instead of extra third this year) I would be in favor of that too.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Has the Texans moving down to #21 for Joe Staley.

Also has Dwayne Jarrett going to the Titans. I hope that does not happen. Actually, it looks like a pretty realistic mock.

I hope they pass on Meachem myself (don't think they will though)....I'm not as big on Jarrett as you are.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I hope they pass on Meachem myself (don't think they will though)....I'm not as big on Jarrett as you are.

Admit it...you've always been a Casserly guy.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Admit it...you've always been a Casserly guy.

I understand why you like Jarrett and see the Chow connection, but I don't buy it myself. I think they take a CB or the local kid Meachem there...but heck, I don't know any more than you or Peter King...well, let's leave that to us and keep King out of it...we probably know more than he does.

[Wolf]

I like Bob's take on this if AD is not their..

1. (10th overall) Patrick Willis, MLB, Mississippi

At first glance, this sounds absurd. Ryans was terrific as the middle linebacker. Why should we upgrade the only position on the team that doesn't seem to need it?

Hear me out. I could tell you that Willis is Ryans-on-steroids but that might leave the wrong impression. Willis is a bigger, thicker version of Ryans who, like DeMeco, makes plays all over the field and has great instincts. Even before his Pro Day time of 4.37 in the 40 came out (a time I have trouble accepting, by the way), I knew this guy could and will flat out be a beast out there like the Bears' Brian Urlacher.

The one part of Ryans' game that worries me is that, at 235 lbs, he lacks the heft to impose his will in the middle. The thicker Willis can do this and has room to add another 10 pounds to his 240 frame and be highly effective. Even if 4.37 was a mirage, Willis at 4.45 is going to knock your socks off.

Mike Nolan of the 49ers was wowed by Willis during Senior Bowl Week and, when asked to compare him to Ryans who he coached in Mobile the year before, he said Willis was the more impressive of the two.

Ryans would be moved to the weakside linebacker spot held by Morlon Greenwood where he can be used more on blitzes and stunts, giving opponents someone else they have to gameplan against besides Williams and reducing (not eliminating) the need for a speed rusher at the other end of the defensive line from Mario.

With some combination of Ryans, Willis and the take-your-pick buffet of Greenwood, Kailee Wong, Danny Green or Shawn Barber on the strongside, the Texans would finally have a unit the rest of the NFL can envy rather than exploit.

Best of all, Willis is the most bust-proof of any player this side of Calvin Johnson. He's a hard worker of outstanding character who has overcome family adversity and plays with a mean streak as well as a sense of dedication. On the late Eddie Robinson's "marry-my-daughter" scale, he's a "9" if not a "10". Like Peterson, Willis has had some injuries in college but he played through them showing the toughness you want for the middle man.

I wouldn't be outraged to see us take OT Levi Brown (Penn St.), DE Jamaal Anderson (Alabama), CB Leon Hall (Michigan) or DT Alan Branch (Michigan) with the tenth pick but Peterson and Willis are the two I feel most confident about putting on the field.

http://www.houstonprofootball.com/review/review66.html

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I understand why you like Jarrett and see the Chow connection, but I don't buy it myself. I think they take a CB or the local kid Meachem there...but heck, I don't know any more than you or Peter King...well, let's leave that to us and keep King out of it...we probably know more than he does.

I haven't seen this anywhere, but I could see the Titans moving the pick for the Chargers Michael Turner. Maybe swapping picks in the first, plus other considerations. The Titans really need a RB as it appears that LenDale White is a bust. The Jarrett pick @#19 would still make sense for the Chargers.

[CrunkTex]

Originally Posted by awtysst

Swap firsts and then get their second and third this year. If they were willing to go second this year and second next year(instead of extra third this year) I would be in favor of that too.

Would be nice but unlikely. Given the weakness of this draft, I'd even be willing to toss in a 3rd to make that happen.

[the wonger need food]

I'm starting to get the feeling that Willis will be gone before the 10th pick. If he isn't he will be the BPA and we have to take him if we can't work out a deal to trade down. This makes Greenwood and Wong expendable and we instantly have one of the best LB corps in the NFL.

[Ole Miss Texan]

I'd be thrilled with Willis on this team. He makes some very good points as to why this would be a good pick.

While Demeco showed how utterly awesome he was at MLB this season, is no one worried about having him there for 9 years or so? His body holding up that long, esp if he keeps producing like last year.

Does everybody that is against moving demeco outside feel that he's all of a sudden going to suck and forget how to play olb like he did in college?

Tis true, if you want a bust proof pick, safest guy in the draft, you take patrick willis.

[nunusguy]

I'd guess that chances are good for the top ten to go along those lines, depending on which team the Broncos trade with, if they in fact make a trade.
And I dunno, but I don't think the Bucs will sit on their hands waiting for Johnson to be on the Board for them at #4, so expect them to trade up
with the Lions.
And if we stay at 10, I think we take a CB or Jamaal Anderson, who the Falcons will pass for the new HCs college DLineman Akoye.

[brakos82]

We need another rumor. This one's getting boring.

[gwallaia]

Originally Posted by brakos82

We need another rumor. This one's getting boring.

Oh, how we all yearn for the good ole days of discussing Reggie or Vince.

[brakos82]

Originally Posted by gwallaia

Oh, how we all yearn for the good ole days of discussing Reggie or Vince.

I heard Vick got busted. Not that that matters or anything.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by TEXANS84

Yeah, realistic is what I'm thinking.

I've decided not to go to the draft party because of this outcome. I don't want ot be down there for 4 hours to see the first draft pick.

But for once, I do believe that Casserly is right. We'll trade down. And I think it's a good thing to do.

You're welcome to come to my house and watch it with some of the other guys. There's going to be plenty of room/food/drink/bandwidth so if you want come on down. I'm in Spring off of Louetta and I'll be checking back in here regularly over the next couple of days.

[stingray]

What happens if the Texans draft Willis with the 10th and then staley is not available with the 21st. What happens next.

[Ole Miss Texan]

All this trade speculation is making me exhausted! Let's just take Okoye, Willis, or Revis at 10. Whoever we have rated the highest....lol