McShay's First Mock

[nero THE zero]

Anyone with Insider care to share who he has us picking?

[JB]

With the 14th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft... The HOUSTON TEXANS select

Earl Thomas S Texas

[JB]

Here is his complete first round mock v1.0

St. Louis Rams
Record: 1-12
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Reach for a quarterback or take the top defensive lineman in the class? Tough call, but we think the Rams should take Suh. Anyone who saw the Big 12 championship game knows what kind of an impact the explosive Suh can have on a game. He is a disruptive run defender with the arm strength to toss blockers aside and the quickness to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Though he isn't the most polished pass rusher, he clearly has great potential in this area.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-12
Eric Berry*, S, Tennessee
The Bucs might be hesitant to take a safety with the second overall selection but we believe he's the premier prospect in the 2010 class. Much like the Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro Ed Reed, Berry is a game-changer with exceptional versatility.
Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-11
Derrick Morgan*, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan can anchor at the point of attack, make plays in pursuit, get to the quarterback coming off the edge and drop into coverage. That type of versatility would be a nice addition to a Browns' defensive front seven that lacks difference makers.
Detroit Lions
Record: 2-11
Gerald McCoy*, DT, Oklahoma
The Lions are in dire need of a difference-maker along the defensive front, and McCoy is the prototypical 3-technique with the quick first step and power to make a living in opposing backfields.
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 3-10
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Help up front might be Kansas City's greatest need. LOT Branden Albert -- a first-round pick in 2008 -- has had problems staying healthy, and he could slide to the right side or even inside to guard if the Chiefs land a franchise left tackle. Okung is the most complete offensive tackle prospect in this class and could provide that piece of the puzzle for Kansas City.
Oakland Raiders
Record: 4-9
Carlos Dunlap*, DE, Florida
Dunlap is very much a buyer-beware prospect. On one hand, a DUI arrest the week of the SEC championship game and questions about his work ethic raise red flags. On the other hand, 290-pound defensive linemen who move as well as he does are few and far between.
Washington Redskins
Record: 4-9
Sam Bradford*, QB, Oklahoma
Surgery on his throwing shoulder and concerns about the scheme he played in at Oklahoma caused Bradford to fall behind Locker on our board. On the other hand, Bradford has the physical tools and football IQ to quickly develop into an effective starting NFL quarterback.
Denver Broncos (from 5-8 Chicago)
Record: 8-5
Rolando McClain*, ILB, Alabama
McClain is a tough, relentless run stopper who masks his lack of ideal range with great instincts and his ability to take good angles. He's not a two-down linebacker, either, and can more than hold his own in underneath coverage.
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 5-8
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Williams moved from the right to the left side this year, and while he didn't fare as well this season as he had in previous seasons, he is capable of quickly developing into an effective NFL starting right tackle. He is a tough run blocker who drives his feet once in position, and he can hold his own in pass protection when his footwork is sound.
Buffalo Bills
Record: 5-8
Anthony Davis*, OT, Rutgers
Davis comes with a bit of baggage, but there isn't an offensive lineman in the 2010 class with a better combination of size and agility.
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 6-7
Joe Haden*, CB, Florida
San Francisco's pass defense has been a liability this year, and the 49ers need to inject some youth and talent into their cornerback unit. Haden is the best cover corner in his class, has the burst to stalk receivers underneath and shows the speed to run with them downfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 6-7
Bruce Campbell*, OT, Maryland
Campbell is a work in progress and could benefit from another year in college, but he's shooting up draft boards after a strong 2009 season and may be too talented to pass up for the Steelers, who need help at offensive tackle.
San Francisco 49ers (from 5-8 Carolina)
Record: 6-7
Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
San Francisco could reach for an offensive lineman like Bryan Bulaga here, but in our opinion Kindle is too good a value to pass up here. Though he has to improve his ability to anchor against the run, he has the burst and agility base 3-4 defenses covet at outside linebacker.
Houston Texans
Record: 6-7
Earl Thomas**, S, Texas
Like Berry, there isn't much Thomas can't do on a football field. He can match up with slot receivers, blitz off the edge, has great range in coverage and steps up in run support.
Tennessee Titans
Record: 6-7
Jason Pierre-Paul*, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul wreaks havoc off the edge and would be a nice addition to the Titans, whose defensive ends are showing signs of aging.
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 6-7
Navorro Bowman*, OLB, Penn State
The Falcons need an impact player at cornerback, but the next-best corner, Florida State's Patrick Robinson, is not worth taking this early. Bowman has some off-the-field baggage but he might be the best all-around athlete at linebacker in this year's class.
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 7-6
Dez Bryant*, WR, Oklahoma State
Baltimore needs to give 2008 first-round pick and franchise QB Joe Flacco a playmaker at receiver. Bryant was ruled ineligible by the NCAA earlier this season, but teams have seen more than enough to know he can stretch the field.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 7-6
Bruce Carter*, OLB, North Carolina
Jacksonville could upgrade at outside linebacker and Carter would be an excellent value here. He would benefit from adding some bulk to his frame but he's a rangy run stopper and he shows above-average ball skills in coverage.
New York Giants
Record: 7-6
Brandon Spikes*, ILB, Florida
Antonio Pierce sustained a season-ending neck injury and has just one year left on his contract, so Spikes would be a good fit as a future replacement. While injuries slowed Spikes this year, he is an instinctive run stopper who can make plays all over the field when he's healthy. He's also flashed big-play ability in coverage.
New York Jets
Record: 7-6
Bryan Bulaga*, OT, Iowa
Bulaga plays a bit high and his footwork could be better, but the Jets need help at tackle and he's the best available.
Miami Dolphins
Record:7-6
Golden Tate*, WR, Notre Dame
Tate is a bit of a reach this high, but the Dolphins are in desperate need of a playmaker at wide receiver and he's the next best one this class has to offer behind Bryant.
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 8-5
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham missed the entire 2009 season with a knee injury, and he doesn't offer much as a run blocker. However, our film evaluation makes it clear that he has what it to takes to develop into one of the most productive and dangerous receiving tight ends in the league.
Seattle Seahawks (from 8-5 Denver)
Record: 5-8
Jimmy Clausen*, QB, Notre Dame
Current starter Matt Hasselbeck is 34 years old and backup Seneca Wallace doesn't appear to be the long-term answer. There are concerns about Clausen's release and he doesn't have ideal arm strength, but his mobility and accuracy underneath would make him a good fit for a West Coast offense.
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 8-5
Taylor Mays, S, USC
We've seen Mays get caught out of position far too often to move him ahead of Berry or Thomas. However, it's rare to find defensive backs with Mays' size/speed combination, and he would be an upgrade for the Cowboys.
New England Patriots
Record: 8-5
Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson
New England desperately needs to improve its pedestrian pass rush and Sapp has the burst to provide that much-needed spark. He has lined up primarily at end in college but has shown he can be effective working out of a two-point stance and would be a good fit for the Patriots' base 3-4 defense.
Green Bay Packers
Record: 9-4
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
In this scenario, Spiller slides down the board and Green Bay wins the lottery. Spiller would add a big-play element to the running game and his ability to motion out into the slot makes him an excellent fit for the Packers' pass-heavy scheme.
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 9-4
Marvin Austin*, DT, North Carolina
Cincinnati leads the league in rushing defense but having quality depth and talent at defensive tackle is essential to stay on top of the AFC North, so adding Austin makes sense. He's a stout interior run defender and powerful bull rusher.
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 9-4
Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts
Ducasse is 330 pounds and his feet may not be quick enough to hold up at left tackle, where he played at UMass, but he still moves well for his size and we think he could develop into a starting right tackle. If he doesn't pan out at tackle he has the makings of an excellent guard.
San Diego Chargers
Record: 10-3
Jonathan Dwyer*, RB, Georgia Tech
Darren Sproles is an excellent change-of-pace back but he's too small to be the primary ball carrier, and 30-year-old LaDainian Tomlinson hasn't looked the same the past two years. Taking Dwyer here would give the Chargers a physical between-the-tackles runner capable of carrying the ball 20-plus times and setting up the play-action package.
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 11-2
Brian Price*, DT, UCLA
Price is said to be leaning toward entering the upcoming draft. He's a quick and powerful defender who could provide some much-needed depth behind aging starters Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
Indianapolis Colts
Record: 13-0
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Odrick doesn't have great athletic ability but he's quick, flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly and plays with a nonstop motor, making him a good fit for an Indianapolis organization looking to upgrade its run defense.
New Orleans Saints
Record: 13-0
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Williams is a reach here, but like Indianapolis, the Saints should be looking to upgrade their run defense, and adding the 311-pound Williams would be a step in the right direction.

[El Tejano]

I really could not get mad at the FO if they brought in Earl Thomas.

EDIT: Oh and we all know what happened the last time a Houston team drafted a guy named Earl from UT.

[rmartin65]

Damn, that is alot different than I have been seeing. It is pretty different than mine too. Ducasse is not a first round player, I love the small school guys, but 3rd rounder in my opinion. I dont see Morgan going that high, nor do I see that many DT's in the 1st. Then again, McShay probably knows more than I do.

[badboy]

I am ok with Thomas (if he comes out) but we better get a CB later. Quin may replace DR but we still need another CB. Most mock change quite a bit week to week. Be interestig to see how this one evolves.

[JB]

Originally Posted by badboy

I am ok with Thomas (if he comes out) but we better get a CB later. Quin may replace DR but we still need another CB. Most mock change quite a bit week to week. Be interestig to see how this one evolves.

The nice thing about Thomas is that he can also play nickelback. If Wilson is healthy, then we could see Pollard, Wilson, Quinn, Reeves and Thomas on the field in the nickle package.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

Damn, that is alot different than I have been seeing. It is pretty different than mine too. Ducasse is not a first round player, I love the small school guys, but 3rd rounder in my opinion. I dont see Morgan going that high, nor do I see that many DT's in the 1st. Then again, McShay probably knows more than I do.

McShay doesn't know ****. The only reason ESPN prints his stuff is because they bought Scout and he does most of their stuff. Take anything he puts out with a grain of salt (that goes for most mock drafts anyway).

[TexansSeminole]

Originally Posted by badboy

I am ok with Thomas (if he comes out) but we better get a CB later. Quin may replace DR but we still need another CB. Most mock change quite a bit week to week. Be interestig to see how this one evolves.

A guy we can probably get in the 2nd round is Patrick Robinson from Fla St.

He excels in man coverage. Can't say I know how he will do in zone as he didn't get to play much of it in college. He does have a nice break and tackles well, so you would think he could do well in zone. His INT numbers are low because he was constantly put out on an island in man coverage with no safety help. Hard to make plays when your constantly playing catch up. He did have a pick that he returned for a TD this year but a bad call by the referee negated it. He was actually in zone on that play.

Here are highlights from the Maryland game. Remember, it is Maryland.

You can watch this video as well. Start at about 5:30 into the video. It'll show good and bad plays.

[Mr. White]

Just imagine what kind of damage Earl Thomas could do on this defense.

Our D-Line couldn't help but get sacks.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by TexansSeminole

A guy we can probably get in the 2nd round is Patrick Robinson from Fla St.

He excels in man coverage. Can't say I know how he will do in zone as he didn't get to play much of it in college. He does have a nice break and tackles well, so you would think he could do well in zone. His INT numbers are low because he was constantly put out on an island in man coverage with no safety help. Hard to make plays when your constantly playing catch up. He did have a pick that he returned for a TD this year but a bad call by the referee negated it. He was actually in zone on that play.

Here are highlights from the Maryland game. Remember, it is Maryland.

You can watch this video as well. Start at about 5:30 into the video. It'll show good and bad plays.

I just don't have the "feel" for Robinson. Don't know why and he is almost exactly same physically as Haden. When I watched FSU, I was turned off by entire team and switched channels.

[TexansSeminole]

Originally Posted by badboy

I just don't have the "feel" for Robinson. Don't know why and he is almost exactly same physically as Haden. When I watched FSU, I was turned off by entire team and switched channels.

Haha, I don't really blame you.

No homerism, but I think that Patrick Robinson will be a good NFL corner. He is very consistent.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by TexansSeminole

Haha, I don't really blame you.

No homerism, but I think that Patrick Robinson will be a good NFL corner. He is very consistent.

NFLdraftscout.com has him rated as best CB not including plyers who might come out. I would be interested in two or three folks evaluation on his cover skills.

[Vinny]

Taylor Mays is the 3rd S in the draft? This must be a hell of a draft year for the S position.

[mariowillshine15]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Taylor Mays is the 3rd S in the draft? This must be a hell of a draft year for the S position.

He's very overrated. He has great speed and hits hard but is always out of position.

Whatever team that takes him should maybe try him at linebacker. Let him run and hit and not worry about coverage. He's the next Roy Williams.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by mariowillshine15

He's very overrated. He has great speed and hits hard but is always out of position.

Whatever team that takes him should maybe try him at linebacker. Let him run and hit and not worry about coverage. He's the next Roy Williams.

I hear that repeated by the sheeple on the net but never heard that last year.

[Nawzer]

I would love Earl Thomas. The guy plays instinctively and he would be a tremendous addition to our team. But I think he's headed back to UT for one more year if I'm not mistaken.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

I dont see Morgan going that high, nor do I see that many DT's in the 1st.

I don't know if he will, but watching him over the past few season, he most absolutely deserves to. When everyone was hyping Michael Johnson last year, I was telling them that Johnson wasn't the best DE on his team, and to watch out for Morgan.

Watching him this year, he's reminded in a lot of ways of Dwight Freeney; they have similiar builds and play in eerily similiar ways.

I can't wait to see what he does in the NFL. My only wish is that he gets drafted by an NFC team if the Texans don't have the opportunity to take him.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Taylor Mays is the 3rd S in the draft? This must be a hell of a draft year for the S position.

Berry and THomas ahead of him. Walterfootball has him going to Dallas I think.

[Jackie Chiles]

I'd be happy with Thomas and if things go differently and hes not there (or doesn't declare) I see quite a few players picked in this mock after us that I would be happy with. Spiller is the most intriguing, Mays would be very hard to pass on, I like Dwyer and when its all said and done I expect Brian Price to be a guy that goes in the middle of round 1.

Going to have to wait and see what we do in FA to really narrow it down though. If we lose Dunta we probably sign a decent corner to replace him and his productivity give or take a bit at about half the price. Not sure how much money or what kind of draft investment the FO will be willing to throw at the DL considering Antonio Smith was our big FA last year and we are actually showing signs of stopping the run this year. Barwin's progress will be a big factor in how our pass rush (which has looked good the last two weeks with a nice dose of blitzing) develops next season.

Would be fun to see Spiller in the backfield with a healthy Slaton splitting carries. I know neither one is a real banger but they are explosive and can make big contributions in the passing game. I get the feeling that this regime puts more stock in that than getting said banger at RB. Heck, Foster might be that guy anyway. Spiller could return kicks as well so we can ditch Andre Davis.