Super Mario's Texans Mock - You choose.

[Blake]

Hey all. Here is my mock. I tried to fill our needs by trying to get a starting caliber OLB, OG, RB and SS, and backups for OT, DE, CB, and FB.

If you could change the selected players but still fill the needs what would you do? Keep in mind I want you to fill all or most of the needs I listed here.

R1) Clay Matthews, WLB, USC
NOTE: I wanted to upgrade our defense, but with Antonio Smith and our two safeties being signed and re-signed, plus there not being a safety worth the #15 pick I went with a 3 down linebacker who should be able to do it all. Also Adibi and Diles did not show they can stay healthy for a full year yet. Adibi will be his backup with Diles getting the start at SAM.

R2) William Moore, SS, MU
NOTE: We need both young FS, and SS. I choose Moore due to his size and combination of ball hawking skills. Obviously I am hoping he returns to form. We just resigned Wilson and Ferguson, but that doesnt mean they are long term solutions. Also I have Barber as the backup FS. He will back up Wilson at SS. Harrison will be cut.

R3) Rashad Jennings, RB, LIB
NOTE: I wanted a smash mouth RB to pair with Steve Slaton. I dont think he will last much longer than the 3rd, and at 6'1" 230lbs he will be a great change of pace back to knock the defenders around for 15 plays a game. Obviously Moats and Brown will take a back seat to Jennings, if Brown even makes the squad.

R4) Trevor Canfield, OG, CIN

NOTE: I would have rather gone with Levitre in the 3rd, but since I went ahead and opted for the RB, I am going with Canfield who dropped a round due to his off the field issues. I know the Texans normally shy away from players with off the field issues, so this may be not even close. Although he is 6'4" which is about the size of our current guards. I think Brisiel is ok, but there is no reason we cant try to upgrade or get good depth here.

R4) Jason Watkins, OT, UF
NOTE: I dont see alot of depth behind Winston and Brown since the release of Salaam (who I hated). I am assuming that Pitts or Winston will slide to LT if Brown goes down, and CanField or Watkins can fill the void.

R5) Matt Shaughnessy, DE, UW
NOTE: I didnt see a hige need for DE, but a 5th rounder for depth is ok in my book. He has a big body that should be able to get bigger. He will battle Bullman and McClover to back up Williams and Smith.

R6) Ellis Lankster, CB, WVU
NOTE: I dont know why I am so high on this guy. I think the senior bowl is what did it. He just looked great to me in practices and such. Plus Slaton can vouch for him. :P He will just be depth behind Robinson, Reeves, Bennett and Modlen.

R7) Tony Fiammetta, FB, SU
NOTE: Leach is our only FB I think, and Fiammetta looks like a big beefy guy who can knock the snot out of you. Maybe the Texans get a FA FB but this guy just looks like a solid built rock and in the 7th would be great.

[HOU-TEX]

Personally, I'd have Mathews play the SAM. I believe he can play both.

I wouldn't complain if our draft turns out like your mock at all, SM. Although, if there's a TE available from round 4 or later, I might grab him.

Good work.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Personally, I'd have Mathews play the SAM. I believe he can play both.

I wouldn't complain if our draft turns out like your mock at all, SM. Although, if there's a TE available from round 4 or later, I might grab him.

Good work.

Thanks.

Actually I had TE on my list of needs, but I am not very knowledgeable on the 5-7 round TE's and figured he would be a 3rd string player anyways behind Daniels and Dreessen. Also Kubiak seems to like getting our TE's backups from other teams cuts.

Have any suggestions?

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Thanks.

Actually I had TE on my list of needs, but I am not very knowledgeable on the 5-7 round TE's and figured he would be a 3rd string player anyways behind Daniels and Dreessen. Also Kubiak seems to like getting our TE's backups from other teams cuts.

Have any suggestions?

Bear Pascoe looks like a 5th/6th round guy right now and I think he could take Dreesen's spot right away.

[Ole Miss Texan]

1st round- I've got several players that I like this year. Not sure so much about our team, but just in general. Michael Oher, Jeremy Maclin, Clay Matthews, Malcolm Jenkins.

2nd round- I like William Moore more than most. I think he's been thrown down, but partly for good reason. I think if he's available in the 2nd he might be a good selection. He wouldn't have to start right away but could be groomed in behind Wilson/Ferguson/Barber if that's needed. Don't know if he should be a FS or SS but I assume start at backup FS for a while. I know we all want instant starters though. Michael Johnson is another guys who's stock has severely dropped. 2nd round may be a good time to take a risk on him if he's there. Situational pass rusher that may develop into a starter a few years down the road.

I really really like Donald Brown- RB. One of my favorite combos would be Oher in the first for RG and then Brown in the 2nd rd. I think that elevates our offense to stardom. (you're welcome to throw in that we were the #3 offense last year and our defense has all the needs... I understand that but we gotta get better and gotta score more on offense too). The problem with Oher/Brown combo is that we completely avoid addressing the Defense with the first 2 picks, our most critical picks. That wouldn't sit too well with me.

3rd round- If we havn't addressed the secondary or linebacker positions by this time, we could find some good value at the DB spot. Maybe CB/S hybrid or pure safety guys.

But I think the 1st round will most likely come down to me wanting us to trade down, moreso than in previous years. Seems most all the talent/value is a good match in the late 1st round/early 2nd round this year.

[was385]

I'm not a huge matthews fan and I'd be quite happy with that draft. Seems to address just about every area of need pretty well.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by bah007

Bear Pascoe looks like a 5th/6th round guy right now and I think he could take Dreesen's spot right away.

Do you think Travis Beckum will be gone by the time our 2nd 4th comes up?
If not, I'd grab him in a heartbeat.

[Blake]

After seeing the UCONN pro day, I think the Texans will consider Donald Brown in the 2nd.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

After seeing the UCONN pro day, I think the Texans will consider Donald Brown in the 2nd.

gone

Jennings won't be there in the 3rd either.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by beerlover

gone

Jennings won't be there in the 3rd either.

EDIT: I think the Texans would consider Brown in the 2nd. :P

[Blake]

Originally Posted by beerlover

gone

Jennings won't be there in the 3rd either.

You many want to put an "I think" in front of your statements next time.

[Mari-OWNED!]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

R5) Matt Shaughnessy, DE, UW
NOTE: I didnt see a hige need for DE, but a 5th rounder for depth is ok in my book. He has a big body that should be able to get bigger. He will battle Bullman and McClover to back up Williams and Smith.

Getting him in the 5th round would be a steal IMO. I have him going early in the 4th round.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Mari-OWNED!

Getting him in the 5th round would be a steal IMO. I have him going early in the 4th round.

I agree. He is not a starter, but would provide some much needed depth for us. Getting him in the 5th would be a steal.

[bah007]

I bet Donald Brown doesn't make it past the Eagles' #28.

I see Jennings as a 3rd rounder.

This is where I have the top backs projected to go right now:
Chris Wells - top 20
Donald Brown - late 1st
Knowshon Moreno - late 1st/early 2nd
LeSean McCoy - early 2nd
Rashad Jennings - late 2nd/early 3rd
Shonn Greene - mid/late 3rd
Andre Brown - late 3rd
James Davis - late 3rd

[threetoedpete]

Shonn Greene - mid/late 3rd
Andre Brown - late 3rd
James Davis - late 3rd

& cory sheets......

R5) Matt Shaughnessy, DE, UW
NOTE: I didn't see a huge need for DE, but a 5th rounder for depth is ok in my book. He has a big body that should be able to get bigger. He will battle Bullman and McClover to back up Williams and Smith.

slow lumbering....no first step. I'd prefer
venkune earlier. He 's not exactly a speedster either but he always finds a way to get back there.

What is it about Quinn Johnson you do not like ? 250 pounds. cut like a Greek god....great blocker....great in short yardage. Former line backer....should do very well on special teams.

[TimeKiller]

I like the mock. I'm with HOUTEX though, Matthews could be (probably would be) our SAM unless you plan to move Adibi to SS which would eliminate the 2nd pick. I might've gone with another OG/OC for depth instead of another OT depth. Maybe even pick up a better CB there in the 4th? I wouldn't be dissappointed with this but I think it could be better pretty easily.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by threetoedpete

& cory sheets......

I have Kory Sheets as a 4th round guy right now. Lots of good backs will go mid round this year.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

I like the mock. I'm with HOUTEX though, Matthews could be (probably would be) our SAM unless you plan to move Adibi to SS which would eliminate the 2nd pick. I might've gone with another OG/OC for depth instead of another OT depth. Maybe even pick up a better CB there in the 4th? I wouldn't be disappointed with this but I think it could be better pretty easily.

Never mind...msread it.